by David Burka
Last week Dr. William Staggs of Dunlap, Tennessee, went on to his eternal rest. He was the father of our former elder, Bill Staggs. In visiting with the family of Dr. Staggs, even though I didn�t know him, I understood more about the span of his influence in the church of Christ not only in that city but all over this country. Through his dedication to the Lord, he and his wife raised five children. The oldest, Bill Staggs, is known to many of us as a man who lives to serve the Lord wherever he can. Bill has spread the Gospel to people in Asia, Central America, and Africa, and continues to encourage many of us to take the message all over the world.
Because of Bill Staggs the congregation at Mt. Juliet has become involved in Latin American Missions and sends teams regularly to Panama and El Salvador. He was also a big reason the Mission Committee decided to begin the stateside campaigns, so that those who could not participate in overseas mission trips would be able to use their talents to reach others for Christ.
This past Sunday several of our members made a trip to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to visit with the elders at Lehman Avenue church of Christ about their plans to evangelize Kentucky in the next few years. Lord willing, we will spend our next stateside campaign in June of 2007 working with them to establish a congregation in Grant County, Kentucky.
From a man who lived his life in Dunlap, TN, to his son who lived in Mt. Juliet, to people who are emboldened to step out of their comfort zones and share the Gospel in another country or another state, one man CAN make a difference! A person doesn�t have to be famous or even travel to all the places that his sincere faith will carry his reputation. As King Solomon wrote so long ago �A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.� Proverbs 22:1. As we bid farewell to one Christian man, we make plans to continue his legacy by bringing many others to know the Lord. We anticipate a great reunion in Heaven one day. Please keep the mission efforts of this congregation in your prayers as we plan for the year to come.