Let’s face it, people don’t always agree with us. That’s a fact of life my parents taught me growing up. Even later, in the different facets of my career, from large multinational corporations to local small businesses, my dad and I would talk about those sorts of relationships. With Father’s Day having just passed, he’s been on my mind (like just about everyone else!), and I’ve been missing him since 2020.
People close to me know I spent the first four months of 2024 serving with a remarkable ministry called Frontline Policy helping with what I certainly hope is the first annual Run 2 Win Conference. Frontline Policy is two distinct organizations: Frontline Policy Action is a 501(c)4 dedicated to forging public policy and electing champions for conservative family values (if you know me, you know that’s my heart). Frontline Policy Council is a 501(c)3 dedicated to educating and equipping Christians to engage in the political sphere. Though two distinctly different entities, both work towards a common goal of glorifying God in the public sphere.
A couple of weeks ago we celebrated my 54th trip around the sun and it has been every bit as eventful as all the others. I shared some thoughts on social media and thought I’d expand on those a bit and share them here since I’ve been intentionally quiet here on my site in recent months. That’s not to say there hasn’t been a lot going one…Lord knows there certainly has! Through everything, God has blessed my family and I in ways great and small.
s we navigate our daily lives, the hum of next year’s elections might seem like distant background noise. But it’s crucial to perk up our ears and pay closer attention now. The decisions made at the polls in 2024 will shape our community in Fayetteville and our state for years to come. A few months ago I wrote an article called “Issues for Christians to consider in the 2024 elections.” There I mentioned a number of issues Georgia Baptists should seek clarity on as we consider candidates vying for our votes.
A few days ago I shared across my social media accounts that I have concluded my role as Executive Pastor at Flat Creek Baptist Church. It was not an easy decision, but one we believe aligns with God’s will for our lives and the church.
Southern Baptists believe in the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. This is rooted in our understanding of the doctrine of Imago Dei, the belief that every person is created in the image of God. This means that a person’s fundamental identity is defined by their relationship with their creator.
Folks that know me know of my great love of education! Apart from coming to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I believe a quality education has the greatest impact in a person’s life and future. I also believe that parents are both the primary educators and decision-makers for their children. There are some who believe the education of children should be left to professional educators and parents should simply trust their local schools. I do not share this belief.
In a world that seems to be evolving at an ever-accelerating pace, Southern Baptist churches face their own unique set of challenges as we look ahead to the next two decades. As believers, it is essential to approach these challenges with a positive and thoughtful mindset, fueled by a steadfast commitment to the gospel and an unwavering trust in the providence of God.
Friends, the state convention is more than just a meeting. It is a powerful gathering where God’s Word is proclaimed, hearts are encouraged, and souls are stirred to action. It is an opportunity to embrace the biblical vision of unity, collaboration, and discipleship. This is a moment for us to stand together and affirm our commitment to the inerrancy of Scripture, the preaching of the gospel, and the winning the lost across Georgia.
Cancer is a name that carries an unthinkable weight, a name we’d all prefer not to know. But it’s a name that has seeped into our lives, our families, our friendships, and our churches. It is an illness that does not discriminate, tearing through the very fabric of human life, spreading fear, pain, and uncertainty. I hate cancer, not out of bitterness or rebellion against God, but because it causes such profound suffering to those I hold dear.