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sunday morning heroes
Spotlight on the men and women who dedicate themselves to God's Word and their classes.
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The following letters were sent in response to the "Sunday School Teacher of the Year" contest sponsored by Randall House. The year-long contest will end with the announcement of a winner in the August-September edition of ONE Magazine. ONE Magazine applauds the men and women who have been nominated by their classes as a result of their faithful pursuit of excellence.
TEACHER AMONG TEACHERS
The name Dorothy Goines is synonymous with a faithful Christian lady. Dorothy is 85 years young, the mother of two girls, two boys, 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. Her son Jimmy is a Free Will Baptist preacher. She and her late husband, Curly, joined our church in 1987. She faithfully teaches active, preschool students.
When our church changed to CLEAR curriculum, she attended workshops and Sunday School meetings to prepare for the transition. Every Sunday, Dorothy arrives early along with those she picks up for church and Sunday School. She drives 13 miles one way for each service. She is involved in all areas of our church. Whether it’s nursery duty or a fund-raiser, Dorothy does her part. She’s the church clerk and treasurer for Women Active for Christ. In her testimony, she always says, “I want to be faithful.” For all these reasons and many more, I nominate Dorothy Goines as Sunday School Teacher of the Year. God has richly blessed Dorothy and our church has been blessed by just knowing her and the life she lives.
Larry Norman, Sunday School superintendent
First Free Will Baptist Church
Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma
ANOTHER OUTSTANDING TEACHER
A Sunday School teacher in our church has displayed the most outstanding attitude toward her class and her lessons. She is using the CLEAR material with great success. Her name is “Kiki” Hill. Around here, she is also known as the “Pied Piper” because kids follow her wherever she goes. She displays love, caring, and compassion to all children.
Most amazing is the fact that Kiki has a terminal illness—a rare lung disorder (only three people have been diagnosed with this illness) with no cure. Yet we have watched in amazement as, despite her illness, she has a great attitude and never complains. She was a nurse before she had to quit her job (she’s 50 years old). She needs oxygen all the time and wears her portable tank to church. Even though the pump squeaks and makes noise, she cheerfully comes to almost every service (she doesn’t come on Sunday evening, due to the exhaustion she feels after service on Sunday morning).
She works in the nursery and with children’s church, helps with the Christmas play and VBS, and she even caters some of our church fellowship meals. The kids in her class (lst-4th grade) know she will die soon. She has been very honest with them, and she is training her assistant to take over her class. She tells her kids that they need to be in Sunday School and church, no matter what—even when the day comes that she will not be there. I cannot tell you what this woman has done for our church! I have taught Sunday School, worked in many ministry situations, and I have never seen anyone as dedicated as this. She will teach her class as long as she is able (even in a wheel chair). We really think that she would be a great candidate to win this contest. Prayerfully consider her.
Barry Reel, pastor
Faith Free Will Baptist Church
Carrollton, Virginia
OTHER NOMINATIONS FOR TEACHER OF THE YEAR:
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Teresa Gwen Collins Shiloh FWB Church, Detroit, MI
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Hubert Davenport Virginia Beach FWB Church, Virginia Beach, VA
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Freda Lewis First FWB Church, North Little Rock, AR
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Otho McCormack Eastern Gate FWB Church, Springfield, MO
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Sandra Smith Center Point FWB Church, Vilonia, AR
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Toby and Christi Spradlin Woodbine FWB Church, Nashville, TN
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