Retirement Reception for Marty and Janice Smith
Two weeks ago, we celebrated Rhonda Smith’s new role as Minister of Pastoral Community. On Sunday, October 25, I want to invite you to join me for a reception honoring Marty and Janice Smith’s ministry at First Baptist.
For twenty years, this “retired” ministerial couple have shepherded our internationals work throughout the community. They have led people to Jesus and mentored hundreds of lives. At the most recent training at the Florida Baptist Literacy Missions conference at Lake Yale, Marty and Janice received the Lillian Isaacs Ladle Award. This award is named in memory of Dr. Lillian Isaacs who pioneered literacy missions for Southern Baptists. As the award states, “Miss Lillian” is still remembered for the inspiration she provided to so many here at First Baptist and around the world. The ladle represents the service that was exhibited by Miss Lillian by serving up her famous soup while serving others through literacy missions and sharing the gospel of Christ.
On October 25, we will recognize Marty and Janice with a reception held in their honor in the Welcome Center. The reception begins at 11:15AM; a brief program starts at 12:30PM. Please join us as we give thanks for twenty years of ministry.
On an interim basis, Jordan Mallory is coordinating the work of our internationals classes and continuing Marty and Janice’s faithful service. John Rice and I are interviewing candidates to be the permanent Minister of Internationals. We hope to be able to recommend someone to the personnel committee by the first of the year.
Our children’s minister search committee continues to receive many resumes for this staff position as well, and we hope to begin follow up interviews with potential candidates very soon. Please join me in thanking Cindy Fernald and a great crew of volunteers and staff who are working hard in children’s ministry. We will continue to keep you posted on this important position.
Thank you for stepping up your work in so many areas of our church. We are blessed by your involvement and input as we seek God’s direction in these important roles.