Deacons

For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:13

Today we are ordaining three New Deacons to serve the body of Christ at GHBC. These three men, Michael Dance, Rich Hamilton, and Javier Owens, have been examined by the Elders and are men who meet deacon’s      qualifications. Today these men will be set aside to serve this body and to assist the Elders.

The first mention of men serving as deacons is in Acts 6. The Church in Jerusalem was experiencing a serious     issue that needed to be addressed. There was a complaint by the Hellenists that, “arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution” ( Acts 6:1-2). So, the 12 were called upon to settle the dispute. Their response was to appoint 7 men “of good repute, full of the Spirit  and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty”

( Acts 6:3).

However, their duties were not limited to just caring for the widows. Scripture makes it clear that they were serving so that the Elders of the local church could focus on prayer and preaching. This in no way diminishes what the deacons do but reinforces God’s different roles in His church.

We are blessed to have nine men that faithfully serve   this body in their role as a deacon, and after today we will have twelve. Your deacons are Tim Bailey, Alan Chambers, Austin Cox, Michael Dance,  Rich Hamilton, Ian Hix, Javier Owens, Bill Malaney, Greg Poindexter,  Paul Rutherford, Brandon Tibbetts, and Zach Turner. Please pray for them and their wives as they faithfully serve at GHBC.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark