You’re probably hearing a lot of people saying something similar to what I am hearing: where did this year go? As the years pass by, they do seem to do so quicker than I remember as a child or even as a young adult. With the year coming to a close in a few short weeks, I have been reflecting on all God has allowed me to be a part of and the ways in which He has blessed me and my family. Believe me, it’s a lot!
Last year, probably in the autumn months (such as they are here in South Georgia) I began to pray for God to stretch me in new ways in 2019. I didn’t ask the Lord to do something specific but I did make my desire to grow in new ways known to Him during my prayer time. It wasn’t that I did not feel content in how He was already using me. On the contrary, I felt that I had grown to meet the challenges He had placed before me when I moved into a new role in 2018 and that I was able to do more in 2019.
Of course, I had no idea how or when God may answer those prayers but I did believe He would. I also believed the answer would likely be in ways I would not anticipate. There is a lot more I could share but here are a few ways God has stretched me in 2019.
Denominational Service
This is the first of a five-year term serving as a trustee of the Georgia Baptist Foundation and I have to say I have learned a great deal! Having watched how our entities function from the outside with great interest, I was humbled by the opportunity to serve in this new way. I knew the Foundation was a well-run organization and nervously hoped that those I came to serve with would be patient with me as I got up to speed. I have not been disappointed in either of those points! What amazing professionals I have the privilege of serving with AND what godly people.
I shared earlier this year about GoGeorgia here and here. Having the opportunity to develop and share a training session for our largest equipping event of the year as Georgia Baptists was exciting and, honestly, a bit daunting. When the opportunity came, I was certain God was answering those prayers I mentioned and this was something that would certainly stretch me…and it did! God later allowed me the opportunity to teach through this material on consecutive Wednesday nights in my own church as we were preparing to begin work on our 2020 budget (recently approved by a unanimous vote I might add!).
To help with my preparations for GO Georgi
I was invited to be one of the leaders for the annual Sunday School training event held by the Mell Baptist Association in Tifton, GA the first week of September. Dr. Steve Parr was the keynote speaker for the event and I was blessed to spend most of the morning investing in adult Sunday School leaders from across their association. It was such a blessing to meet new friends and serve Tom Hocutt and Mell Baptist churches!
Changes in our Family
One of the great joys of being a parent is watching our children grow. One of the great challenges of being a parent is realizing our children are no longer children. Both of them are on the cusp of adulthood and this is a season of change. My son is finishing up his first semester as a residential college student. I have shared previously about that change and how that was impacting us over the summer.
As the year comes to a close, I am not struck by how much he has grown. Frankly, I expected that he would do well at Truett McConnell because that is exactly where God wants him right now and God blesses obedience. My daughter is dual-enrolled in high school (junior year) and a local college. If she remains on track, she will graduate with her high school diploma and an associate’s degree within about a week of one another. God is helping me to see those children as young adults (not quickly enough if you asked them…kids!). That is more challenging than I ever thought it would be.
Our Place of Service
What I have just described would have been much more difficult were it not for the amazing place that is Northside Baptist Church. Folks, I serve the Lord alongside some of the most amazing people and that is not an exaggeration. There is amazing unity among our church staff that shines brightly through everything we do and there is amazing unity within the congregation. Rather than being some sort of conflict-filled event everyone simply tried to “get through,” our annual business meeting was a celebration of what God has done in and through His church this year at Northside.
Numbers certainly are not everything when one speaks about the health of a local church but they do matter. Attendance on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night have all grown this year. Our choir, orchestra, and praise team have all experienced tremendous growth this year and I have been blessed by my wife’s participation and seeing her own sweet walk with Jesus.
We said goodbye to some of the saints that loved our family so well when we arrived in South Georgia four years ago. We have grieved with families not simply because they have lost loved ones,
Looking to the Future
Once again, I’ve been praying that God would stretch me. Well, actually I’ve asked God to continue to stretch me but you get the idea! 2020 is already shaping up to be another very busy year on all fronts. As I continue to serve the Georgia Baptist Foundation, I will also become president of the Georgia Baptist Association of Christian Educators for the year. Additionally, I will serve our Georgia Baptist Convention as a member of the Resolutions Committee for the 2020 meeting. Oh, and I have the privilege of beign one of the leaders for another Sunday School training event in January in the Atlanta area!
My son will continue his college career, my daughter will begin her senior year of high school while maintaining her dual-enrollment status, and my bride will (Lord willing) complete her dissertation and graduate with her PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Yep, our kids came by it honestly! I too will be returning to the classroom though this time it will be as an online adjunct professor.
Please pray that God would give me strength daily, that He would give me wisdom in managing my calendar, and that He would keep a hedge of protection around my family. Friends, these are exciting days of service and for my family! I covet your prayers as I seek to balance the things God has given me to do.
Blessings,
Chris