Jimmys Rendering 5-11-14 I am so pleased with the decision to bring two new individuals to fill places on our church staff. The first is Dr. Kris Keske in the position of Missions Coordinator. Kris brings wonderful experience and is no stranger to our Church Family. She is from Pennsylvania, holds a Ph.D. from Auburn University in Elementary Education and taught in the Fort Benning School System for 25 years. She is married to David, and they have two sons. Even before she came to our community, Kris’ international experience was extensive: she worked with the Peace Corps in Palau, Micronesia and taught school in Tehran, Iran for two years. She has been a member of First Baptist since 1989 and has been an important part of our missions programs at First Baptist for many years. Kris has been on the Missions Committee and has played a vital role in missions trips from First Baptist. As a part of our commitment to Liberia and the Ricks Institute, Kris was an instructor in teacher workshops, conducted educational conferences and worked with Mercer (University) on Mission; and she served as Principal at Ricks from May 2012 to June 2013. After returning from her year-long stint in Liberia, Kris was a short-term missionary to a school in Palembang, Indonesia where she mentored the principal, taught reading to preschool through 6th grade, gave teacher workshops on instructional techniques and conducted parent workshops on educational issues. She helped establish protocols and best practices for each of the places where she has served. In every missional opportunity, Kris has distinguished herself by bringing together her gifts, her call to missions and the needs of the people into a work that will have a long-term impact. She is organized, forward-thinking and deeply sensitive to the call of Christ in her life; and she is following what she feels is God’s call to serve in this capacity with our Church Family. I could not be more pleased. She comes to our staff with the enthusiastic support of our Missions Committee. I am equally delighted that Zach Corcoran will be our Student Ministry Assistant. That is like an Assistant Student Minister, but we believe that the students come first. Zach grew up in our Church Family and was an active part of the youth program for more years than he was old enough to be in the youth group because of his older brothers. He was baptized at First Baptist in 1998; grew up under Brandon Strozier’s leadership; and now he will be working with Brandon. Zach graduated from Georgia Southern University in Justice Studies. He had a couple of internships: one with the Statesboro (Georgia) Police Department and another with a church in Florida. We asked Zach to come and help with the youth program while Brandon and his wife Sara were in the process of welcoming Abel Strozier into the world; and he has been an incredible asset! With the growth our youth program has experienced and is anticipating—and the scope of the responsibilities that include recreation and college—we found the need for this position, for which Zach is a perfect fit. The youth love him, and we respect him. He said, I felt God was calling me to work with and in the lives of youth. I was ecstatic when the opportunity came for me to follow that calling and work here at my home church alongside a great friend, mentor and leader in Brandon. Zach’s assistance will allow us to broaden some of our ministries and to more effectively minister to the middle school, high school and college students in ways that one person simply could not do. You already know most of this about these two wonderful people. I believe God has opened the door for us to have them as a part of our staff team; and I cannot wait to see what God plans to do in the days ahead. Please welcome them with your open arms, encourage them by volunteering to serve with them and support them with your prayers. Your Pastor, Jimmy
Posted on: Wed, 07 May 2014 14:10:15 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015