Adult Worker of the Year - Dorothy Malcolm

This past Saturday was our annual Worker Appreciation Breakfast. It was a unique time where the staff of FBC cooked and served breakfast for all of the volunteers who serve at FBC. At that breakfast we honored Dorothy Malcolm as our 2010 Adult Worker of the Year. Below are the remarks that I made in presenting the award to Dorothy.

In 1976, three ladies sat down to have a casual conversation. They discussed the need for a Bible-believing church in Winter Haven. Their conversation spread. Calls were made. Plans were formed. Someone mentioned a family with four children in the Winter Haven area who might be interested in helping. This family, which was at the time attending Fellowship Baptist in Lakeland, was contacted and were willing help start the church.

This is how Dorothy Malcolm began serving the Lord at FBC. Her service goes all the way back to the beginning. Nearly 34 years later, she continues to serve the Lord faithfully at Faith Baptist Church.

Let me give you a short history of FBC. In 1976, organizational meetings were held in a meeting room of the TECO building in Winter Haven. Soon after, a Bible study began to meet at the local Ramada Inn. Then, the Seventh Day Adventist Church was rented so that regular services could begin. While worshipping at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 5 ¾ acres of “cow pasture” was purchased for future development. Services moved to the Women’s Club building in Winter Haven. We are currently on that cow pasture.

I sat down with Mrs. Malcolm the other day. She grew up on a farm in Northern Indiana. She said, “We lived on the skinny side of life.” They never had much, but there was always food on the table. Sometime around the age of 10 or 12, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior.

She grew up, went to nursing school, got married, and had four children.

I asked her, “What brought you to Florida?” She replied, “Well, that was my husband’s idea.” She shared how her husband had be advised by doctors to take a break for a little while. So, he came to Florida to visit an uncle. Dorothy said, “I knew that when he returned he was going to want us to move to Florida.” Sure enough, that’s what happened. In 1972, the Malcolm clan moved to Florida. Fellowship Baptist Church in Lakeland was recommended to them as it was the only GARBC church in the area. It was four years later that they were asked to help start a GARBC church in the Winter Haven area.

It was while FBC was meeting at the Seventh Day Adventist church that Dorothy started teaching the Primary Sunday School class. 34 years later she continues to teach the same class. Imagine how many hundreds of students have sat under her teaching.

But that’s not all she has done. Some of the other ministries she has served in include Choir, Orchestra, Special Music, Faith's 100 Prayer Group, 5:30pm Prayer Group, VBS, Painting & Decorating, Risk Management Committee, Morning for Missions, FX Breakfast Club, as well as many more.

Most of you know that Dottie plays the violin. I asked her about how she started. Listen to what she said.

Audio Clip #1

“Someday I may lose my singing voice, but I still want to be able to serve the Lord through music.” What a testimony! What a desire to serve the Lord!

As I interviewed Dottie, I heard her mention several times how she has changed over the years. Listen to her own words.

Audio Clip #2

Can you hear the humility? The willingness to change? I heard it. As I sat in her home and listened, I heard her has changed her over the years.

Towards the end of our interview, I asked her, “What would you say to encourage others to serve the Lord faithfully?”

Audio Clip #3

When I think of Dottie I’m reminded of a quote I used to hear a lot a Bob Jones University. Bob Jones Sr., used to remind the students at Bob Jones University, “The most important light in the house is not the chandelier in the parlor. It’s that little back hall light that keeps you from breaking your neck when you go into the bathroom in the middle of the night.”

FBC has a few chandeliers. But, we have many more back hall lights. They are the ones serving in the background. They are the ones who shun the spotlight. Dorothy Malcolm is one of those individuals.

I called her the other day to talk to her about this award and to ask if I could come interview her. She tried (several times!) to talk me out of it. She does not seek recognition or applause. She only seeks to please the Lord.

Dottie, thank you for serving the Lord. Thank you for the example you have set for all of us to follow. It is our prayer that the Lord will bless Faith Baptist Church with many more Dorothy Malcolms. This morning, it is our joy and privilege to honor you for your faithful service at Faith Baptist Church. May the Lord bless you richly.

Teenage Worker of the Year - Joshua Brown

This past Saturday was our annual Worker Appreciation Breakfast. It was a unique time as the staff of FBC cooked and served breakfast for all of the volunteers who serve at FBC. At that breakfast we honored Joshua Brown as our 2010 Teenage Worker of the Year. Below are the remarks that I made in presenting the award to Josh.

Last year we began what we call “The Worker of the Year” awards. If you recall, last year we honored Virginia Peek, Viola Doyle, and Dave & Mary Pence. You may have noticed a plaque in the other building listing those names. This morning we would like to honor two individuals for their faithful service to the Lord. Today we honor one teenager and one adult.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘teenager?’ Often we hear that word and we sigh. We often think of words like immature, lazy, apathetic, or unreliable. Recently, I read a book entitled Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations. Unfortunately, society has very low expectations of teenagers.

Here at FBC we are blessed with many teenagers who Do Hard Things. They have rebelled against low expectations. They serve in FX. They coach Upward teams. They serve in Awana, Nursery, Junior Church, Sunday School. They are very active in our music ministries: special music, accompanying, choir, and orchestra. FBC relies on teenagers to provide valuable assistance in so many of our ministries.

So this morning, it is appropriate that we honor one of those teenagers.

When most boys are 10 years old, they are usually concerned with toys and candy and playing in the dirt. When Josh Brown was 10 years old, he was running the Awana Store. And now, almost 7 years later, Josh continues to help with the Awana Store as well as a host of other responsibilities with Awana. If you were to shadow Josh on a Wednesday night, you would leave exhausted from following him all over our church property. When I see Josh serving in Awana I see a young man who is hard-working.

Josh is also very creative. The Lord has gifted Josh with a creative mind. He excels at decorating and designing. He uses these talents to coordinate our PPT ministry. It is usually very obvious when Josh Brown has designed a PPT presentation and when I have designed it.

It was nearly a year and half ago that Josh came to me and asked if he could help me design some of the PPT announcement slides for Sundays. Again, Josh came to me. Josh is a unique teenager who oozes initiative. Initiative is a rare quality that is abundantly found in Josh Brown.

Last Spring, I had the thought of searching for some summer interns to help with the summer programs. Josh Brown was an obvious choice to fill one of those roles. I was able to witness his qualities of a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and initiative up close. He worked alongside me during VBS and Music Camp. I look forward to watching him direct VBS this coming summer.

When I think of Josh Brown, I see a unique desire to serve. I see a young man who enjoys helping people. Several people described Josh to me as a ‘People Pleaser.’ Josh does not strike me at the kind of person who comes to church seeking to be served. He comes to church seeking to serve others.

And so, this morning, we are honoring you, Josh. But I also have a challenge for you. It is the same challenge that the Apostle Paul gave to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” Josh, I challenge you to continue to set an example for all of us to follow. You are young, but you are not too young.

• Set an example with your speech. Be mindful of the words that you use. Words are very powerful. Remember, “a soft answer turneth away wrath.” When you are serving the Lord, people will get mad at you. Respond to them with kind words.
• Set an example with your conduct. Do things that a Christian should do. Yes, Josh, that means Obey Your Parents. Honor them and honor Christ. Don’t do anything with your body that might bring dishonor to Christ.
• Set an example of love. Josh, I challenge you to love people. Serving the Lord involves serving people. Serving people requires that you love them.
• Set an example of faith. Stay faithful. We read all the time that young people are leaving the church and abandoning the church. Josh, don’t be normal. Make a commitment that you will stay in church. Look around you Josh. These are the faces of men and women who have faithfully followed the Lord for many years. Purpose in your heart that you will follow in your footsteps.
• Set an example of purity. Josh, you are a young man. Be pure in your thoughts and in your actions. Don’t allow yourself to think that you can hide your sin from God. Keep short sin-accounts. Stay pure.

Josh, you have the potential to bring much glory and honor to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Lord willing, you have many years ahead of you. Continue to serve Him faithfully for the rest of your life. This morning, we honor you today with a plaque and a gift card, symbols of our gratitude for your faithful service.