Insights & Information https://www.tbcnow.org Tue, 19 Mar 2024 02:03:33 -0400 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Ladies Connect, April 9th https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/april-ladies-connect-with-debbie-morris https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/april-ladies-connect-with-debbie-morris#comments Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/april-ladies-connect-with-debbie-morris DON’T WASTE YOUR WOUNDS

“Suffering is never for nothing” Elisabeth Elliot

Join us for the April meeting as Debbie Morris speaks to us about using heartaches to help others.

    Vance Havner, a well-known North Carolina preacher, once said that God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. Sitting alone on a cold iron bench in the desert, I listened to coyotes howl as I read aloud the verse engraved on our son’s memorial. “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” This was our son’s life verse, but now it triggered another mind battle. Really, Lord? Really? Maybe I could feel Your strength if You would help me understand…
“WHY!” Why this? Why our family? Have we not faithfully served You, even when the cost was great? Have we not loved You enough, or prayed enough, or trusted You enough? Lord, please help me understand, so I can have peace. The Lord whispered to my soul, “I promised you peace that passes understanding, not peace because of understanding!”
On that same bench, in front of that same memorial, stood a forty-foot, three thousand-pound Saguaro Cactus, probably over 75 years old with a large, ugly gaping hole. As I stared inside that hole, God began to teach me a lesson about not wasting my wounds. Sometimes, God chooses to use the broken pieces of our lives to serve a greater purpose than the whole…even though we desperately beg for wholeness!

After being saved from an agnostic background, God allowed Debbie to serve alongside her husband in youth ministries in West Virginia, New York, Michigan, and North Carolina. Then, for thirty-three years her husband pastored in Arizona where God allowed Debbie to teach a ladies' Sunday school class and to host and speak at ladies’ meetings across the country.  She also taught in their Christian school as well
as in the public schools where she founded Bible clubs.   After her husband retired, they moved to the Triad to be near their daughter.

Click here to register.

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DON’T WASTE YOUR WOUNDS

“Suffering is never for nothing” Elisabeth Elliot

Join us for the April meeting as Debbie Morris speaks to us about using heartaches to help others.

    Vance Havner, a well-known North Carolina preacher, once said that God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. Sitting alone on a cold iron bench in the desert, I listened to coyotes howl as I read aloud the verse engraved on our son’s memorial. “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” This was our son’s life verse, but now it triggered another mind battle. Really, Lord? Really? Maybe I could feel Your strength if You would help me understand…
“WHY!” Why this? Why our family? Have we not faithfully served You, even when the cost was great? Have we not loved You enough, or prayed enough, or trusted You enough? Lord, please help me understand, so I can have peace. The Lord whispered to my soul, “I promised you peace that passes understanding, not peace because of understanding!”
On that same bench, in front of that same memorial, stood a forty-foot, three thousand-pound Saguaro Cactus, probably over 75 years old with a large, ugly gaping hole. As I stared inside that hole, God began to teach me a lesson about not wasting my wounds. Sometimes, God chooses to use the broken pieces of our lives to serve a greater purpose than the whole…even though we desperately beg for wholeness!

After being saved from an agnostic background, God allowed Debbie to serve alongside her husband in youth ministries in West Virginia, New York, Michigan, and North Carolina. Then, for thirty-three years her husband pastored in Arizona where God allowed Debbie to teach a ladies' Sunday school class and to host and speak at ladies’ meetings across the country.  She also taught in their Christian school as well
as in the public schools where she founded Bible clubs.   After her husband retired, they moved to the Triad to be near their daughter.

Click here to register.

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TBC Choir Easter Celebration Concert: My King Is Known by Love https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/tbc-choir-easter-celebration-concert-my-king-is-known-by-love https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/tbc-choir-easter-celebration-concert-my-king-is-known-by-love#comments Tue, 12 Mar 2024 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/tbc-choir-easter-celebration-concert-my-king-is-known-by-love

 

TBC Choir Easter Celebration Concert: My King Is Known by Love       

March 24 | 9 AM | Worship Center                                         

Jesus is God's chosen one and way to redeem us and bring us salvation. But he would have to suffer a cruel death and the wrath and judgement of sin from His Father, which we deserved, and then be buried in a borrowed tomb. Why did He do this? Because He loves us and My King Is Known by Love. Thankfully, three days later, Jesus came out of that tomb victorious over sin, death, hell and the grave.

Join us at the 9 AM Sunday morning service, March 24, in the Worship Center, as the TBC Adult Choir presents a 30-minute Easter Celebration Concert, My King Is Known by Love.

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TBC Choir Easter Celebration Concert: My King Is Known by Love       

March 24 | 9 AM | Worship Center                                         

Jesus is God's chosen one and way to redeem us and bring us salvation. But he would have to suffer a cruel death and the wrath and judgement of sin from His Father, which we deserved, and then be buried in a borrowed tomb. Why did He do this? Because He loves us and My King Is Known by Love. Thankfully, three days later, Jesus came out of that tomb victorious over sin, death, hell and the grave.

Join us at the 9 AM Sunday morning service, March 24, in the Worship Center, as the TBC Adult Choir presents a 30-minute Easter Celebration Concert, My King Is Known by Love.

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Spring SNAC Schedule https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/new-snac-begins-march-8 https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/new-snac-begins-march-8#comments Fri, 23 Feb 2024 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/new-snac-begins-march-8 This spring our Sunday Night Adult Classes will feature four areas of study.  Our classes will be nine weeks in length and they will continue through May 19, 2024. Our core classes will be offered during three sessions per year.  Electives will be formed on the basis of creativity, interest, and speaker availability. Our core classes consist of personal growth in discipleship in order to prepare one for leadership positions at Triad Baptist and to develop the member into a mature Christian.

The following takes place from March 10-May 19, 2024

CLICK HERE for class descriptions and registration information.

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This spring our Sunday Night Adult Classes will feature four areas of study.  Our classes will be nine weeks in length and they will continue through May 19, 2024. Our core classes will be offered during three sessions per year.  Electives will be formed on the basis of creativity, interest, and speaker availability. Our core classes consist of personal growth in discipleship in order to prepare one for leadership positions at Triad Baptist and to develop the member into a mature Christian.

The following takes place from March 10-May 19, 2024

CLICK HERE for class descriptions and registration information.

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Ladies Connect, March 5th https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/ladies-connect- https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/ladies-connect-#comments Tue, 20 Feb 2024 16:00:00 -0500 https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/ladies-connect- Ladies Connect
March 5 | 6 PM

Join us on March 5 from 6 PM - 8 PM. Our guest speaker will be Kathy Dix, owner of a local antique and collectibles store. The “Just Plain Country Store” is located in Walnut Cove, NC.

Topic: “Blessings Through Brokenness.”God knew where this life would take Kathy. She had dreams, but her dreams turned to ashes. She wants to share her road, choices, heartaches, fears, and testimony.There is a $5 fee for this event.

REGISTER NOW!

Limited childcare available. Contact Katherine Trotter at: k.trotter.915@gmail.com or Selina Thomas at: snaomithomas@gmail.com for  more information.  

We hope to see you there! Bring a Friend!

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Ladies Connect
March 5 | 6 PM

Join us on March 5 from 6 PM - 8 PM. Our guest speaker will be Kathy Dix, owner of a local antique and collectibles store. The “Just Plain Country Store” is located in Walnut Cove, NC.

Topic: “Blessings Through Brokenness.”God knew where this life would take Kathy. She had dreams, but her dreams turned to ashes. She wants to share her road, choices, heartaches, fears, and testimony.There is a $5 fee for this event.

REGISTER NOW!

Limited childcare available. Contact Katherine Trotter at: k.trotter.915@gmail.com or Selina Thomas at: snaomithomas@gmail.com for  more information.  

We hope to see you there! Bring a Friend!

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Finding Our Purpose https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/finding-our-purpose https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/finding-our-purpose#comments Tue, 20 Feb 2024 16:00:00 -0500 https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/finding-our-purpose Finding our Purpose


What would you say that your purpose in life is? A 2021 study found that most Americans aren’t sure. More than 57% of people in our country wonder about that question every month. One in five wonder every single day what their purpose in life could be, or how they could find more meaning in it. Some might say that their life’s purpose is to have a good job, own a nice house, and vacation a few times a year. Others may say it’s to raise their kids well, get them through school, and send
them off to college. Still others might think that their purpose in life is to work hard so they can retire well and own a nice car. Those things aren’t necessarily bad; but is that our ultimate goal? What should our purpose in life really be? The good news is, this is a question the Bible answers very clearly.


We can find the answer to this massive question in Isaiah 43:6-7. Here, as the Lord is speaking through His prophet Isaiah, He proclaims:
“I will say to the north, give up,
and to the south, do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth,
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
You see, humanity was formed and made, created by God, for His glory. All of those other things we have in the world that we may spend our time doing, the goals that we strive toward with all of our might, pale in comparison to our God-given purpose and goal. Our all-consuming mission as Christians should be to glorify the all-knowing, all-powerful, always-present God of the universe.


The answer to the question “What is our purpose in life?” brings up another. If our life’s goal is to glorify our Creator, how do we do that? How can we live in a world filled with sin and conflict and unbelief, all the while glorifying the God who is over it all? I think the solution is best summed up in author and pastor John Piper’s famous quote from his 1984 book Desiring God: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Piper’s position finds it roots in the Westminster Shorter Catechism of 1647, that described the “chief end of man” as being “to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever.” But this isn’t just an idea made up by church councils and notable preachers; it comes directly from scripture.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” –Romans 11:36
“Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:25-26


When we are satisfied in God, we glorify Him; and we have the records and writings of the Apostle Paul as an excellent example for how to do that. Paul went from being a Pharisee, a self described “Hebrew of Hebrews” (Phil. 3:5), a well-respected Roman citizen, and likely a wealthy member of Jewish society to an evangelist that was abhorred by many of the citizens and leaders of his time. Paul described his sufferings for the gospel in 2 Corinthians, writing:
“Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” – 2 Corinthians 11:25-28

Most of us will never be shipwrecked, or beaten, or imprisoned like Paul for the sake of the gospel, I pray. But what is even more significant about this man’s life is how he reacted to each of these circumstances, that seemed terrible on a surface level. While Paul was on a sinking ship surrounded by Roman guards, he broke bread and thanked God. When he was stoned nearly to death in Lystra, he went back into the city and continued his mission of preaching the gospel. While he was imprisoned with Silas in Philippi, they sung hymns and praised the Lord, sharing the gospel with the jailer and his family. He summarized his challenges in Philippians 1:12, saying "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel…”

Paul was satisfied in the Lord’s providence, even when he experienced terrible persecution. Because of this, Paul glorified God in all that he did; it was his life’s mission. Shouldn’t we, likewise, make it our life’s goal to accomplish this ultimate purpose? Shouldn’t we be satisfied in Him, no matter the circumstances? After all, the things of this world will never truly satisfy us; only the Lord will. If we are trying to
chase a satisfied, purposeful life in sports, or work, or relationships, or anything but Him, we’ll never find it. In Christ, He made a way for us to be freed from the shackles of sin and come to Him. It is only in this blameless, blood-bought relationship with the Lord that we will find ultimate satisfaction and be able to achieve our ultimate purpose in life: to glorify our perfect, living God.

]]>
Finding our Purpose


What would you say that your purpose in life is? A 2021 study found that most Americans aren’t sure. More than 57% of people in our country wonder about that question every month. One in five wonder every single day what their purpose in life could be, or how they could find more meaning in it. Some might say that their life’s purpose is to have a good job, own a nice house, and vacation a few times a year. Others may say it’s to raise their kids well, get them through school, and send
them off to college. Still others might think that their purpose in life is to work hard so they can retire well and own a nice car. Those things aren’t necessarily bad; but is that our ultimate goal? What should our purpose in life really be? The good news is, this is a question the Bible answers very clearly.


We can find the answer to this massive question in Isaiah 43:6-7. Here, as the Lord is speaking through His prophet Isaiah, He proclaims:
“I will say to the north, give up,
and to the south, do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth,
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
You see, humanity was formed and made, created by God, for His glory. All of those other things we have in the world that we may spend our time doing, the goals that we strive toward with all of our might, pale in comparison to our God-given purpose and goal. Our all-consuming mission as Christians should be to glorify the all-knowing, all-powerful, always-present God of the universe.


The answer to the question “What is our purpose in life?” brings up another. If our life’s goal is to glorify our Creator, how do we do that? How can we live in a world filled with sin and conflict and unbelief, all the while glorifying the God who is over it all? I think the solution is best summed up in author and pastor John Piper’s famous quote from his 1984 book Desiring God: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Piper’s position finds it roots in the Westminster Shorter Catechism of 1647, that described the “chief end of man” as being “to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever.” But this isn’t just an idea made up by church councils and notable preachers; it comes directly from scripture.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” –Romans 11:36
“Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:25-26


When we are satisfied in God, we glorify Him; and we have the records and writings of the Apostle Paul as an excellent example for how to do that. Paul went from being a Pharisee, a self described “Hebrew of Hebrews” (Phil. 3:5), a well-respected Roman citizen, and likely a wealthy member of Jewish society to an evangelist that was abhorred by many of the citizens and leaders of his time. Paul described his sufferings for the gospel in 2 Corinthians, writing:
“Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” – 2 Corinthians 11:25-28

Most of us will never be shipwrecked, or beaten, or imprisoned like Paul for the sake of the gospel, I pray. But what is even more significant about this man’s life is how he reacted to each of these circumstances, that seemed terrible on a surface level. While Paul was on a sinking ship surrounded by Roman guards, he broke bread and thanked God. When he was stoned nearly to death in Lystra, he went back into the city and continued his mission of preaching the gospel. While he was imprisoned with Silas in Philippi, they sung hymns and praised the Lord, sharing the gospel with the jailer and his family. He summarized his challenges in Philippians 1:12, saying "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel…”

Paul was satisfied in the Lord’s providence, even when he experienced terrible persecution. Because of this, Paul glorified God in all that he did; it was his life’s mission. Shouldn’t we, likewise, make it our life’s goal to accomplish this ultimate purpose? Shouldn’t we be satisfied in Him, no matter the circumstances? After all, the things of this world will never truly satisfy us; only the Lord will. If we are trying to
chase a satisfied, purposeful life in sports, or work, or relationships, or anything but Him, we’ll never find it. In Christ, He made a way for us to be freed from the shackles of sin and come to Him. It is only in this blameless, blood-bought relationship with the Lord that we will find ultimate satisfaction and be able to achieve our ultimate purpose in life: to glorify our perfect, living God.

]]>
TBC Choir Easter Concert https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/tbc-choir-easter-concert https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/tbc-choir-easter-concert#comments Tue, 20 Feb 2024 16:00:00 -0500 https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/tbc-choir-easter-concert TBC Choir Easter Celebration Concert: My King Is Known by Love       

March 24 | 9 AM | Worship Center                                         

Jesus is God's chosen one and way to redeem us and bring us salvation. But he would have to suffer a cruel death and the wrath and judgement of sin from His Father, which we deserved, and then be buried in a borrowed tomb. Why did He do this? Because He loves us and My King Is Known by Love. Thankfully, three days later, Jesus came out of that tomb victorious over sin, death, hell and the grave.

Join us at the 9 AM Sunday morning service, March 24, in the Worship Center, as the TBC Adult Choir presents a 30-minute Easter Celebration Concert, My King Is Known by Love.

 

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TBC Choir Easter Celebration Concert: My King Is Known by Love       

March 24 | 9 AM | Worship Center                                         

Jesus is God's chosen one and way to redeem us and bring us salvation. But he would have to suffer a cruel death and the wrath and judgement of sin from His Father, which we deserved, and then be buried in a borrowed tomb. Why did He do this? Because He loves us and My King Is Known by Love. Thankfully, three days later, Jesus came out of that tomb victorious over sin, death, hell and the grave.

Join us at the 9 AM Sunday morning service, March 24, in the Worship Center, as the TBC Adult Choir presents a 30-minute Easter Celebration Concert, My King Is Known by Love.

 

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BIG Safe House News! https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/big-safe-house-news https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/big-safe-house-news#comments Fri, 16 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/big-safe-house-news We have some exciting news to share from one of our missionaries. Reba Bowman, of Dare for More, has a special video announcement. Check it out!

 

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We have some exciting news to share from one of our missionaries. Reba Bowman, of Dare for More, has a special video announcement. Check it out!

 

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Ladies Connect - February https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/ladies-connect---february https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/ladies-connect---february#comments Fri, 02 Feb 2024 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/ladies-connect---february LADIES CONNECT “GALENTINES” EVENT IS FEBRUARY 6 AT 6 PM 

This month we will enjoy a special “Galentines” Ladies Connect on February 6 from 6 PM – 8 PM at the church. (exact location to be determined) 

bowman Our topic is "Pillar and Pillows". What different roles these two items play!  Strong but soft, reliable and comforting just like our Savior. Do you desire to be both a pillar and a pillow for those you love? Our guest speaker for this month is Rebekah Bowman. She is the pastor’s wife and Kid’s Ministry Director at Peace Haven Baptist Church in Yadkinville, NC. God has spoken some precious truths to her and she is excited to share them with us. 

 Join the fun by wearing Valentine colors (red, pink, white).

There is a $5 fee for this event.

Register by clicking here

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LADIES CONNECT “GALENTINES” EVENT IS FEBRUARY 6 AT 6 PM 

This month we will enjoy a special “Galentines” Ladies Connect on February 6 from 6 PM – 8 PM at the church. (exact location to be determined) 

bowman Our topic is "Pillar and Pillows". What different roles these two items play!  Strong but soft, reliable and comforting just like our Savior. Do you desire to be both a pillar and a pillow for those you love? Our guest speaker for this month is Rebekah Bowman. She is the pastor’s wife and Kid’s Ministry Director at Peace Haven Baptist Church in Yadkinville, NC. God has spoken some precious truths to her and she is excited to share them with us. 

 Join the fun by wearing Valentine colors (red, pink, white).

There is a $5 fee for this event.

Register by clicking here

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‘He always comes through’ https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/-he-always-comes-through https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/-he-always-comes-through#comments Sun, 21 Jan 2024 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/-he-always-comes-through C.D. and Frances McGee don’t have to look far to see God’s fingerprints on their lives.

All they have to do is look up at the walls of their home — the place God led them to in 1969 from Cary, N.C. Granted, the place was rundown and nearly abandoned but it was all their modest income could afford at the time.

And yet with love and sweat and more than 20 projects, and with God’s provision time and time again, they made the rural house into a cherished and stately home. It’s where they raised two children, touched countless lives and planted trees that now soar above land with a view of Baux Mountain and the Sauratown Mountains.

Frances, who just turned 80 Dec. 26, and C.D., who turns 80 on June 18, still live there.

Making things beautiful

Reflecting on it all, C.D. can sometimes hear his dad’s take on his life prospects echo through the years from Monticello, where he grew up. His dad farmed the land and ran a country store while he played football, baseball, basketball, ran track and honed horticultural skills as a member of a Future Farmers of America chapter.

“My dad would say about me,” C.D. said, ‘He won’t never be able to make a living because all he wants to do is make things pretty.’ ”

CDandFrances_plantingThe latter part has certainly been proven true in more ways than one — part of the reason Lead Pastor Rob Decker has named the McGees the church’s 19th Heritage Award winners. The special award series honoring senior adults began in 2003.

Since joining Triad more than 10 years ago, the McGees have made Jesus known in sight, sound and actions. You’ll see the daffodils they planted come up every spring to the right as you enter Triad’s campus. If you step outside the Awake Coffee Shop into the courtyard you’ll see their flowers in the bench planter there too.

Standing side by side, the McGees also lend beauty to the 9 a.m. worship service by singing in the choir. They’re active members of the Faithful Friends and Terry McKoin Sunday School class and regularly check in on their church friends.

“Frances and I love the people at Triad, like those who invited us to consider visiting and were so open and welcoming to us,” C.D. said. “We also love the Biblically-centered preaching and opportunity to sing which Frances and I both have done since we were in our country churches as children.”

But perhaps C.D.’s teaching and Frances’ support is the ministry where they’ve made the most impact.

For almost 47 years at three different churches, including a six-year stint at Triad, C.D. taught a boys Sunday School class. He and Frances frequently opened their home to outings where C.D. would lead his charges on hikes up to the Baux Mountain summit.

“I always wrote my own lessons and would try to use things in nature to bring the Bible stories to life for them,” he said. “Many had never been outdoors a lot or seen a waterfall or experienced anything like that before.

“I sat down one day and got out a piece of paper and wrote down the names of 36 boys I taught, including several at Triad who are now grown have families of their own,” C.D. said. “They’ve all turned out well and I consider it a real blessing the Lord allowed me the opportunity to help point them toward Christ.

“One of those boys, now men, saw my list and said, ‘You missed a few’ and added eight more names.”

Never alone

Even before he graduated in 1962 as part of the last class of Monticello High School, C.D. felt God’s presence. He accepted Christ one day when, at age 17, he found a Bible while home alone and its words changed his life forever.

He certainly knew he wasn’t alone walking up the dirt road home in the dark, which ran past a legendary beast known to bite passers-by.

“I’d run that 220 yards or so in a dead sprint and that dog never caught me,” C.D. laughs. When he competed in the state track meet as the lone 1-A racer against 3-A schools and finished in the top 5, another coach asked for the secret to his speed.

“I told him it was running to keep being bitten by that dog and get past his house.”

That kind of determination got C.D. through a two-year agricultural institute program at N.C. State University and later, through basic training and a stint in the Army National Guard.

He met Frances through his Oceola Baptist Church pastor who knew her family in Winston-Salem’s Old Town community. They married March 19, 1967.

Just as on his wedding day, C.D. felt God’s presence the day in September 1969 when an explosion at the National Guard Armory on Silas Creek Parkway killed three guardsmen and severely burned several others.

“Me and a buddy were outside and about 60 feet away when it blew up,” he said of the blast caused by methane gas leaking from the former landfill site and ignited by a match struck inside.

While C.D. embarked on a 31-year career as a crop scientist in research and development for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., while Frances demonstrated her many varied skills in several roles including hairdresser, dental assistant, coordinator for a Christian school’s bus drivers and — for 13 years — Forsyth County Tax Office clerk.

Of her mom’s school job, Frances’ daughter Julie Wright said, “She worked at the school from the time I was 4 until ninth grade and passed up better paying work so she could be involved in our lives and be there for us. I’ll never forget that sacrifice she made.”

Frances accepted Jesus Christ as Savior at age 12 and had an upbringing even stricter than C.D.’s in some ways — no Christmas trees, no baseball games, and no television.

“There are a lot of things that tell you the kind of woman Frances is but one is how I saw her love and respect her parents,” C.D. said. “She never rebelled and just kept living and loving the Lord.”

While time has slowed both McGees down a bit, they both have a sweet giving spirit — often sharing their garden’s bounty with others. Some Triad members have even been known to ask C.D. to grow specific vegetables for them.

Visitors to the Carolina Classic Fair have certainly seen C.D.’s name a lot from all his prize-winning pumpkins, apples and other vegetables. He keeps two of the latest winning pumpkins in the basement.

They reflect often on all God has allowed them to experience and brought them through, including C.D.’s miraculous recovery in 2017 from a kidney stone that nearly put him on a dialysis machine.

In his 50s, during a routine test, he’d learned he had only one kidney. And now the stone had taken its toll on the organ. But once doctors removed the stone, C.D.’s kidney began working again, and he’s had no other problems since.

“The Lord has been so good to us,” C.D. said of the faith walk he and Frances have taken together now for 56 years. “I live Psalm 34 and particularly this verse, ‘This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.’

“When we started out, we were both poor and did not have much financially but had so much spiritually,” C.D. said. “The Lord has heard us and continues to help us. I would encourage everyone to trust God in all things, especially for all the little things He does that are so easy to miss.

“He’s always there and always comes through. His plans never fail.

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C.D. and Frances McGee don’t have to look far to see God’s fingerprints on their lives.

All they have to do is look up at the walls of their home — the place God led them to in 1969 from Cary, N.C. Granted, the place was rundown and nearly abandoned but it was all their modest income could afford at the time.

And yet with love and sweat and more than 20 projects, and with God’s provision time and time again, they made the rural house into a cherished and stately home. It’s where they raised two children, touched countless lives and planted trees that now soar above land with a view of Baux Mountain and the Sauratown Mountains.

Frances, who just turned 80 Dec. 26, and C.D., who turns 80 on June 18, still live there.

Making things beautiful

Reflecting on it all, C.D. can sometimes hear his dad’s take on his life prospects echo through the years from Monticello, where he grew up. His dad farmed the land and ran a country store while he played football, baseball, basketball, ran track and honed horticultural skills as a member of a Future Farmers of America chapter.

“My dad would say about me,” C.D. said, ‘He won’t never be able to make a living because all he wants to do is make things pretty.’ ”

CDandFrances_plantingThe latter part has certainly been proven true in more ways than one — part of the reason Lead Pastor Rob Decker has named the McGees the church’s 19th Heritage Award winners. The special award series honoring senior adults began in 2003.

Since joining Triad more than 10 years ago, the McGees have made Jesus known in sight, sound and actions. You’ll see the daffodils they planted come up every spring to the right as you enter Triad’s campus. If you step outside the Awake Coffee Shop into the courtyard you’ll see their flowers in the bench planter there too.

Standing side by side, the McGees also lend beauty to the 9 a.m. worship service by singing in the choir. They’re active members of the Faithful Friends and Terry McKoin Sunday School class and regularly check in on their church friends.

“Frances and I love the people at Triad, like those who invited us to consider visiting and were so open and welcoming to us,” C.D. said. “We also love the Biblically-centered preaching and opportunity to sing which Frances and I both have done since we were in our country churches as children.”

But perhaps C.D.’s teaching and Frances’ support is the ministry where they’ve made the most impact.

For almost 47 years at three different churches, including a six-year stint at Triad, C.D. taught a boys Sunday School class. He and Frances frequently opened their home to outings where C.D. would lead his charges on hikes up to the Baux Mountain summit.

“I always wrote my own lessons and would try to use things in nature to bring the Bible stories to life for them,” he said. “Many had never been outdoors a lot or seen a waterfall or experienced anything like that before.

“I sat down one day and got out a piece of paper and wrote down the names of 36 boys I taught, including several at Triad who are now grown have families of their own,” C.D. said. “They’ve all turned out well and I consider it a real blessing the Lord allowed me the opportunity to help point them toward Christ.

“One of those boys, now men, saw my list and said, ‘You missed a few’ and added eight more names.”

Never alone

Even before he graduated in 1962 as part of the last class of Monticello High School, C.D. felt God’s presence. He accepted Christ one day when, at age 17, he found a Bible while home alone and its words changed his life forever.

He certainly knew he wasn’t alone walking up the dirt road home in the dark, which ran past a legendary beast known to bite passers-by.

“I’d run that 220 yards or so in a dead sprint and that dog never caught me,” C.D. laughs. When he competed in the state track meet as the lone 1-A racer against 3-A schools and finished in the top 5, another coach asked for the secret to his speed.

“I told him it was running to keep being bitten by that dog and get past his house.”

That kind of determination got C.D. through a two-year agricultural institute program at N.C. State University and later, through basic training and a stint in the Army National Guard.

He met Frances through his Oceola Baptist Church pastor who knew her family in Winston-Salem’s Old Town community. They married March 19, 1967.

Just as on his wedding day, C.D. felt God’s presence the day in September 1969 when an explosion at the National Guard Armory on Silas Creek Parkway killed three guardsmen and severely burned several others.

“Me and a buddy were outside and about 60 feet away when it blew up,” he said of the blast caused by methane gas leaking from the former landfill site and ignited by a match struck inside.

While C.D. embarked on a 31-year career as a crop scientist in research and development for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., while Frances demonstrated her many varied skills in several roles including hairdresser, dental assistant, coordinator for a Christian school’s bus drivers and — for 13 years — Forsyth County Tax Office clerk.

Of her mom’s school job, Frances’ daughter Julie Wright said, “She worked at the school from the time I was 4 until ninth grade and passed up better paying work so she could be involved in our lives and be there for us. I’ll never forget that sacrifice she made.”

Frances accepted Jesus Christ as Savior at age 12 and had an upbringing even stricter than C.D.’s in some ways — no Christmas trees, no baseball games, and no television.

“There are a lot of things that tell you the kind of woman Frances is but one is how I saw her love and respect her parents,” C.D. said. “She never rebelled and just kept living and loving the Lord.”

While time has slowed both McGees down a bit, they both have a sweet giving spirit — often sharing their garden’s bounty with others. Some Triad members have even been known to ask C.D. to grow specific vegetables for them.

Visitors to the Carolina Classic Fair have certainly seen C.D.’s name a lot from all his prize-winning pumpkins, apples and other vegetables. He keeps two of the latest winning pumpkins in the basement.

They reflect often on all God has allowed them to experience and brought them through, including C.D.’s miraculous recovery in 2017 from a kidney stone that nearly put him on a dialysis machine.

In his 50s, during a routine test, he’d learned he had only one kidney. And now the stone had taken its toll on the organ. But once doctors removed the stone, C.D.’s kidney began working again, and he’s had no other problems since.

“The Lord has been so good to us,” C.D. said of the faith walk he and Frances have taken together now for 56 years. “I live Psalm 34 and particularly this verse, ‘This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.’

“When we started out, we were both poor and did not have much financially but had so much spiritually,” C.D. said. “The Lord has heard us and continues to help us. I would encourage everyone to trust God in all things, especially for all the little things He does that are so easy to miss.

“He’s always there and always comes through. His plans never fail.

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"At the End of My Rope" https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/-at-the-end-of-my-rope- https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/-at-the-end-of-my-rope-#comments Mon, 15 Jan 2024 15:00:00 -0500 https://www.tbcnow.org/blog/post/-at-the-end-of-my-rope- January Ladies Connect 

Ladies of all ages and stages are invited to join us for Ladies Connect on January 9 from 6-8PM at the church. (exact location to be determined) TBC Director of Women’s Ministries, Jodie Anker, will speak on the topic, “At the End of My Rope.”

There is a $5 fee for this event. Registration is closed. 

Limited childcare available for children aged 5 and under. Contact Katherine Trotter at: k.trotter.915@gmail.com or Selina Thomas at: snaomithomas@gmail.com for child care information. 

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January Ladies Connect 

Ladies of all ages and stages are invited to join us for Ladies Connect on January 9 from 6-8PM at the church. (exact location to be determined) TBC Director of Women’s Ministries, Jodie Anker, will speak on the topic, “At the End of My Rope.”

There is a $5 fee for this event. Registration is closed. 

Limited childcare available for children aged 5 and under. Contact Katherine Trotter at: k.trotter.915@gmail.com or Selina Thomas at: snaomithomas@gmail.com for child care information. 

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