Beyond Measure

In June 2004, I accepted a new position with Sanderson Farms, which would require our family to move. Fortunately for us, this move took us to Adel, GA. We had a year to prepare for this move. We didn’t know exactly what the Lord had in store for us, but we knew that He was in control. We prayed for His guidance as we began the transition. During the year, Lisa and I made numerous trips to Adel. It just so happens that David Fausett and my dad are members of the same buying group. David took us around Adel looking at the different neighborhoods and invited us to First Baptist Church, Adel. It turns out that the Lord was preparing me for more than just a move and career change. He was beginning a pruning process with me and teaching me about the “Hallelujah” during the hard times and about the act of obedience … no matter what.  Our pastor, Ben Smith, was His primary mouthpiece during this process. Lisa and I have always been active in Church, but I never allowed myself to take responsibility in Church. However, He has been molding me for Kingdom building. I have allowed Him to use me more. Most of the time, I don’t think that I am qualified, but I understand more and more that it is about obedience. He will provide through our weakness to show His strength and glory.

As a child, I was raised being involved with the typical church related activities.  I accepted Christ as a young person, but it was years later before I realized and acknowledged the provision of God and His faithfulness in my life.  As a teenager and young adult, my lifestyle was far from what God would expect out of a follower of Jesus Christ.  Several years ago, God began placing situations and people in my path that strengthened my witness and walk.  He began a change in me and showed me that I should center my life on Him.

I am humbled that God has provided for me abundantly in many ways including financial resources and the health and well-being of my family.  I feel that we have been blessed beyond measure, and God has provided far more in these ways than I could have expected.

As a nine year old, I walked the isle at First Baptist, Adel, and made a profession of faith.  I have been in church all of my life.  I attended WMU with my Grandmother at age 7.  Every time the church doors opened, my Grandmother, Mother, Sister and I were there.  I was truly grounded with the importance of church attendance and participation.  

The lesson about tithing came at an early age also.  My sister and I received a weekly $1.00 allowance.  We used our own church envelope and placed our dime inside and took it to Sunday school.  As our allowance increased, so did our giving.  Giving and tithing has become a natural part of my existence as I have grown into adulthood.

Throughout its history, First Baptist Church has viewed its buildings not as ends in themselves, but as tools for carrying out its mission.  The church began with four members in 1891 as The Missionary Baptist Church of Adel.  The first baptisms were celebrated that year on the north side of Hutchinson’s Mill Pound. The first building located on the northwest corner of Burwell Ave. and 7th St. was a small wooden structure completed in 1892 and furnished with pews constructed of simple iron rods and wooden strip.  Nevertheless, the church grew steadily as the members “made Christ known” in the small but growing town of Adel.  To reach and accommodate more people, the church relocated to 5th street and built the chapel 1929.  Less than 20 years later, that church added the education building to accommodate the expanding Sunday school.

Less than fifty years after completing the original sanctuary on the corner of 5th Street and Parrish Ave., the church had out grown its capacity.  Work began in January 1975 to construct the present sanctuary building.