A New Pastor

In June, 2008 Pastor Kevin McKoy became the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church, Lithia Springs following eighteen months as Associate Pastor to Students where he provided spiritual and administrative leadership for grades 6 through college.

From the biography Pastor McKoy presented to the church:

Kevin was born on December12,1972 in Newnan, Georgia. He graduated from Newnan High School in 1991 and was accepted into North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Georgia. He graduated from North Georgia College with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Finance in 1995. During his college years, Kevin was involved in the Corps of Cadets ROTC program at North Georgia. It was during this time that he enlisted into the United States Army to the Artillery Branch. Upon completion of his degree requirements, Kevin was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Chaplain’s Corps. He attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he completed his Master of Divinity degree in 2001.

Prior to coming to First Baptist, Kevin served as the Associate Pastor and Minister of Youth and Education at Unity Baptist Church, LaGrange, Georgia for five years. He also served as Pastor of Westside Baptist Church in Hinesville, Georgia for three years. Kevin served as an Army Chaplain in the United States Army and the Georgia Army National Guard from 1996 until 2005 when he out-processed at the rank of Captain. While attending college in north Georgia, Kevin also served as Youth Minister at Northlake Baptist Church and at Dahlonega Baptist Church.

It was at North Georgia College where Kevin met his wife, Christy. They were married in Christy’s hometown of Claxton, Georgia on March 14, 1998. The McKoys have two beautiful children, Ryley and Camryn.

Pastor McKoy advises:

I was called to full-time ministry during my junior year of college. Since NGC was a military college, the Lord led me to combine ministry and military by pursuing the Army Chaplain’s program. I was licensed from my home church, Elim Baptist Church in Newnan, Georgia, in September of 1994. Since that time I have served the Lord at both a church and military level. Upon accepting my first pastorate at Westside Baptist Church in Hinesville, Georgia, I was ordained into the gospel ministry in January of 1998.”

The biography concludes:

Kevin has a passionate call to ministry on his life. He believes that God still desires to reach people with His message of hope and joy. Kevin and Christy have expressed their heartfelt desire to continue to be faithful in whatever God has planned for them.

Isaiah 40:31 – Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

Happy Anniversary: Mike Sinyard

Mike Sinyard was formerly approved as Education Minister on October 12, 1983 at a called conference. A week later the following announcement appeared in the church bulletin:

In both morning worship services last Lord’s Day, the church voted unanimously to call Rev. Mike Sinyard as our Associate Pastor/Education. By telephone, Mike was extended the call to come to First Baptist. Mike accepted, and he, and his wife, Karen and son, Bailey, will be moving to our community in about a month.

From the church’s 50th anniversary handout:

James Michael Sinyard became Associate Pastor/Education at First Baptist, Lithia Springs, in November, 1983 He was born June 18, 1948, in Austell, the oldest of three children. Mike accepted Christ when he was nine years old here at First Baptist in 1957 on the last day of Vacation Bible School.

He graduated from Columbus College, Columbus, Georgia with a B.B.A. Degree. He earned his M.R.E. Degree in 1981 from Southwestern Theological Seiminary, Fort Worth, Texas. Mike was licensed to ministry in 1977 by Gentian Baptist Church, Columbus, Georgia, and ordained by First Baptist Church, Lithia Springs, in 1978.

Mike has served Green Acres Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama; Gentian Baptist Church, Columbus, Georgia; Fairview Baptist Church in Columbus; and Southwest LaGrange Baptist Church in LaGrange, Georgia. He has conducted numerous Sunday School workshops for the State Sunday School Department, and has served as Associational Discipleship Training Director and Associational Sunday School Director for West Metro Bapist Association.

In years past FBCLS recorded staff anniversaries by the Sunday the staff member began their employment. Mike’s anniversary is celebrated on the third Sunday in November every year because he started on the third Sunday in November, 1983.

In a church directory a years ago Mike’s duties as Minister of Education was described this way:

The ministry of education comprises a myriad of avenues and opportunities to “increase in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.” Sunday School, Church Training, Vacation Bible School, Royal Ambassadors, Girls in Action and Acteens are just a few of the ways we minister through education.

In the same description Mike stated, “Being the Minister of Education at First Baptist is a challenge filled with countless blessings. It is a joy and privilege to serve God with you.

Today, November 16, 2008, the church is honoring Mike and Karen’s service to our church with a reception following the 6:00 p.m. service.

Wild Game Dinner: 2008

The Wild Game Dinner, an annual event for FBCLS was held September 18th with Truett Cathy as guest speaker.

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Wild Game Dinner: October, 2008

The article pictured above appeared in the Wednesday, September 10, 2008 issue of The Douglas Neighbor.

You can click on the image for a larger view.

The article states:

In the past, First Baptist Church, Lithia Springs Men's Ministry has had little trouble in pulling in big names like former Atlanta Braves first baseman Sid Bream to serve as special guest speaker for its annual wild game dinner.

This year, with Chick-Fil-A founder Truett Cathy, the September 18th dinner might have its biggest name yet.

Member and organizer [David] Cooper said Cathy is a perfect speaker for his lifestyle and the purpose of the group.

"I can't think of anyone else who represents his company and his Biblical principles as well as Mr. Cathy," he said. "As a businessman myself I cannot think of anyone else I would rather pattern my company or business practices after."

The event, Cooper said, usually draws 500 to 600 guests and expects a similar number or greater this year.

The festivities begin, Cooper, said with displays of different sportsmen and taxidermists in the area and the Douglas County Fire Department will offer free blood pressure screenings.

Musical entertainment, he said, will be provided by the Cross Ties Band who perform bluegrass, gospel and other forms of traditional American music.

After dinner, Cooper said, the guests will move into the sanctuary for Cathy's message.

The dinner itself, Cooper said, will offer a variety of different meats.

"Every year we try to shake things up and this year is no different," he said. "The menu will consist of wild hog, buffalo, elk, and turkey, baked potato, slaw, and tea. I just don't know where you can get all of this for $10."

Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling (770) 948-2126 or coming to by the church. Tickets are on sale Monday through Thursday and at the 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services.

The Passing of Mrs. Jewel Patterson

On Sunday, October 12, 2008, members of FBC, Lithia Springs were saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs. Jewel R. Patterson. She was the wife of Pastor Arnold Patterson, the first minister of the church. Her funeral was at the church on Wednesday, Octobr 15, 2008.

Dr. Sam Jones, Mrs. Patterson’s grandson opened the service by remarking that it was appropriate her homegoing was on a Sunday. Mrs. Patterson’s son, Rev. Max Patterson refererenced Proverbs 31: 10-31 emphasizing Her children arise and call her blessed…., and Dorrie Jones, a granddaughter provided recollections from a grandchild’s vantage point. She included memories of the rather large Sunday dinners at her grandparent’s home and how Mrs. Patterson would always make the comment, “Let’s just throw a sheet over it. Someone might be hungry later.” Dorrie ended her comments with the observation that family and friends will live with Mrs. Patterson’s memory, but be inspired by her legacy.

Jerry Johnson, a member of FBC, Lithia Springs recalled the first time he met Mrs. Patterson during a night visitation. Mrs. Patterson suggested to him that church might actually be the best place to meet. Jerry commented that Mrs. Patterson was the epitome of a lady and was always dressed just so.

Rev. Mike Sinyard, education minister at FBC, Lithia Springs remembered he was five when Rev. Patterson and his wife were called away to another church, but made sure he sat in on the classes she taught twenty-four years later at the church. Rev. Sinyard called Mrs. Patterson a master teacher.

Rev. Marion Beaver, minister to seniors at FBC, Lithia Springs remembered one particular Women’s Day event at Olive Springs where he was the pastor at the time. Rev. Beaver asked Mrs. Patterson to speak at the event and stated it was obvious to him she spoke under the guidance of God and could interpret scripture with finese and translated it to our lives with ease. Rev. Beaver went on to say that if God indicated the ordination of women he would have been the first to lay hands on Mrs. Patterson.

Dr. Bob Whitmire, a former pastor of FBC, Lithia Springs stated Mrs. Patterson made a difference and was faithful to the end having given her life to the Lord. Dr. Whitmire went on to state Mrs. Patterson did have her challenges…..one being the death of Rev. Patterson. Dr. Whitmire remembered he was also challenged by the death of Rev. Patterson in that he was a young preacher at the time and needed Rev. Patterson’s counsel. He was grateful the Lord left him Mrs. Patterson.

Mrs. Betty Robertson and Dr. Dan DeFoor both performed solos and the entire congregation sang Amazing Grace.

Working For Christ in Peru

Early in June, 2008 two young men from FBCLS headed off to Lampa, Peru to live and work among the people there as missionaries.

The night before leaving for Peru Jorge Bello related, “I’ll be leaving at 9:45 to Peru. I’m broke, yet God has provided. My Spanish isn’t perfect, but God will give me the words. A lot of sacrifice….yet it’s no longer my life, but Christ living through me. Lots of fears….yet it doesn’t matter because God is in control.

The next day Jorge's fellow traveler, Austin Morris, said, “I’m in Miami right now and it’s now hitting me how far from home I’m going to be. I miss my girl and my family."

….and so began the travel blogs both young men completed as they worked among the people of Peru. Austin’s site, Austin in Peru can be found here. Chasing God, Jorge’s blog can be read here.

Another member of FBCLS, Drew Powell, joined Austin and Jorge during the last days of their mission trip.

Vacation Bible School, 2008

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