One of the fastest growing areas in all of Alabama is Baldwin County. It holds the distinction of not only being the largest county in Alabama (2,027 square miles), but also the 12th largest county east of the Mississippi River. Baldwin County is larger than Rhode Island! Th ere are so many wonderful United Methodist churches scattered throughout Baldwin County in towns like Bay Minette, Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Loxley, Orange Beach, Robertsdale, and Spanish Fort.
However, one of the strongest United Methodist Churches in all of Baldwin County is the Lillian United Methodist Church located just off Highway 98 almost halfway between Foley and Pensacola.
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Rev. Daniel Randall and his wife, Tay[/caption]
Founded in 1980 as a mission outreach of the Foley United Methodist Church 14 miles to the west, the Lillian United Methodist Church has grown continually over the past 35 years. In 2011, the Reverend Daniel W. Randall was appointed as the pastor, and it was a match made in heaven. Daniel and his wife, Tay, have provided great leadership for that vital congregation. Members who have been long-time residents of Lillian have joined hands and hearts with members that have moved from other states and have chosen to live in the Lillian area. Th is combination has infused a great sense of enthusiasm and vitality into the life of the church.
Several weeks ago, I received an invitation from Daniel to come and speak at the Lillian Church and share the story of our great need to support seminary students. I was simply overwhelmed when I drove down on August 9, in the midst of the summer, and saw that the church was filled at the 11 A.M. worship service. Daniel shared with the congregation his personal story of the scholarship assistance that he had received while being a ministerial student at both Huntingdon College and Candler School of Theology at Emory University. In so doing, Daniel encouraged his congregation to support our present seminary students. At the close of the service, with no previous announcement, Daniel took up a special offering for our seminary students, and over $3,400 was given.
As Brenda and I left to come back to Montgomery, we both were amazed at their extravagant generosity. Every penny that they gave will go directly to our record number of 46 seminary students. Your individual and church gifts will do the same!
Karl K. Stegall
Rev. Daniel Randall and his wife, Tay[/caption]
Founded in 1980 as a mission outreach of the Foley United Methodist Church 14 miles to the west, the Lillian United Methodist Church has grown continually over the past 35 years. In 2011, the Reverend Daniel W. Randall was appointed as the pastor, and it was a match made in heaven. Daniel and his wife, Tay, have provided great leadership for that vital congregation. Members who have been long-time residents of Lillian have joined hands and hearts with members that have moved from other states and have chosen to live in the Lillian area. Th is combination has infused a great sense of enthusiasm and vitality into the life of the church.
Several weeks ago, I received an invitation from Daniel to come and speak at the Lillian Church and share the story of our great need to support seminary students. I was simply overwhelmed when I drove down on August 9, in the midst of the summer, and saw that the church was filled at the 11 A.M. worship service. Daniel shared with the congregation his personal story of the scholarship assistance that he had received while being a ministerial student at both Huntingdon College and Candler School of Theology at Emory University. In so doing, Daniel encouraged his congregation to support our present seminary students. At the close of the service, with no previous announcement, Daniel took up a special offering for our seminary students, and over $3,400 was given.
As Brenda and I left to come back to Montgomery, we both were amazed at their extravagant generosity. Every penny that they gave will go directly to our record number of 46 seminary students. Your individual and church gifts will do the same!
Karl K. Stegall