We have all heard those words: “What goes around, comes around.” They are loosely based on Galatians 6:7 (NKJV): “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
I recently experienced a bit of a twist on this age-old truth. I received a call from an Alabama Baptist pastor, Steve Dunn, who wanted to talk about his renewed passion and commitment to church planting.
After we had enjoyed a good, healthy discussion about ways to lead his church to have a vision for starting new churches, he surprised me by saying, “You don’t remember me, do you?”
I had to admit I did not, but Steve told me that he was a Royal Ambassador in 1972 at Little River Baptist Church in Uriah (Bethlehem Association) when I was serving as the church’s pastor.
He was age 12 at the time, and I was 21. It was my first pastorate, and apparently the Lord used this experience to impact Steve who later helped plant a church in North Dakota and is now pastor of Eastwood Baptist Church in Monroeville (Bethlehem Association).
The whole experience left me humbled that the Lord could take such an unqualified servant as I was then (and still am today) to mold the life of a young man as he did with Steve.
When we invest positively for the kingdom of God, what goes around, comes around again. Thanks for sharing, Steve.
Lamar Duke is the lead church planting strategist in the Office of Associational Missions & Church Planting. He may be contacted directly at 334-613-2332, toll free at 1-800-264-1225, ext. 332, or via email at lduke@alsbom.org.
