This note to the congregation of First Baptist Church, Greenville, S.C., appeared in the church News last week. The photos are by Juli Morrow and Bootie Cothran.
July 27, 2010
Friends,
The unveiling of Charlie Pate’s statue, “Bread for the
Journey: Giving and Receiving,” on July 26 was a sweet culmination of years of
stewardship visioning, planning, preaching, and teaching. I am grateful to
everyone who had a hand in making it happen and especially to the Vacation
Bible School children, teachers, and helpers who shared in the event.
Placed where children (and their parents) coming and going
to Sunday School, choir, children’s activities and missions education, FBCK,
and ITP can see it and touch it, Charlie’s portrayal in bronze of the little boy
with five loaves and two fish in John 6 holding out his basket and looking up
into the heavens is a wonderful children’s companion to the “Good Samaritan”
statue in the Remembrance Garden. It is a visible reminder of the biblical
witness that God “is able to accomplish
abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20) when we are
willing to offer what we have and who we are to God.
I remain immeasurably
grateful to the First Baptist congregation for your generosity, kindness, and
prayers on the journey we have shared together; and I look forward to seeing
the exciting “Great Things Still To Come” that God has in mind for you in the
future.
Grace and peace,
Jeff
