In November 1998, I joined the staff at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia, as the Worship and Music Associate. My primary responsibilities would include working with the student choirs and bands as well as assisting with contemporary worship. It was through the middle school choir that I first met Lynn… and through her, her best friend, Julie.
At the time, Lynn served as Johnson Ferry’s Minister to Middle School Students. Today, she oversees the church’s SHINE Ministry which serves families with members that have special needs. Two ministries that couldn’t be more different and more alike all at the same time. And though this will probably cost me later, I wanted to take a minute – since she and her team are with us this week – to brag on my friend and tell you how thankful I am for the gift she is to me and my family. Humility.
She does what she does because it’s who God made her and what God called her to do. It’s not for the thanks. It’s not for the accolades. (Although, always appreciated!) She is the model of a servant’s heart.
Authenticity.
Genuine and consistent. What you see is what you get! Who she is in public is who she is in private.
Devotion.
To her Lord. To His Word. To her family. To her friends. To her calling. Spend any amount of time with her and you’ll be more like Jesus.
Church Family, would you do me a huge favor and make sure Lynn and her team – who are partnering with us this week so we can better learn how to love, serve, and reach our community with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ – would you make sure they know just how thankful we are that they’re here!
Lynn, what a privilege it is to serve alongside you again.
Thanks for helping me be more like Jesus!