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Celebrating 20 years
November 9th, 2008 |
by Matthew Irvine |
Published in
Church News | 24 Comments
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Please join us in celebrating Pastor Andy’s twentieth anniversary with First Baptist Belton. The celebration follows the evening worship service on November 16.
Andy Davis has served our church faithfully for twenty years. A lot has changed at First Baptist Belton since 1988, but we’ve never lost our charm. Andy has been instrumental in growing our church. In fact, since he has been our pastor, we’ve seen a 38% increase in Small Group Bible Study attendance. Of course, we called it Sunday School back in those days.
Below are some of the highlights of Andy’s first 20 years at FBC:
- Led the church to become the first certified emergency shelter in our community
- Volunteers as co-chair of the Life in the New Normal (LINN) Committee for Belton, helping a city come together to care for kids undergoing trauma and loss
- Began military ministry to encourage and support our soldiers and families at Ft. Hood
- Began Hispanic, African American and Chinese missions to better reach our community
- Began First Responders Fellowship to support the spiritual growth of those who serve our community
- Began STARRS and Buddy Ball ministries for families with special needs
- Added preschool building for expanded outreach to young families
- Began Upward Basketball, which will have over 300 community children this year
- President of UMHB Board of Trustees
- Became a grandpa of 3 cute little boys with another on the way!
We’re blessed to have Pastor Andy on staff, and I hope that you’ll join us in celebrating his anniversary. In fact, why not start the celebration now – join me in posting a personal word of encouragement to Pastor Andy on this page.
November 13th, 2008 at 12:09 pm (#)
It is a blessing to work with you, Pastor Andy. You encourage me weekly, and I’m proud to call you my pastor. I often find myself calling my mom or dad after a sermon, sharing some bit of information that I learned or some practical application that I can apply. Thanks for leading, for loving, and for being obedient to the Spirit of the living God!
November 14th, 2008 at 9:28 am (#)
Brother Andy, Thank you for so many years of Godly leadership! You have blessed our family through your preaching, teaching, and leadership of our church. Thank you for allowing God to use you to touch my family and help us to grow spiritually.
November 14th, 2008 at 10:49 am (#)
Thank you for allowing God to work through you at FBC, Belton. I’m glad to call you my pastor and my friend.
November 14th, 2008 at 4:02 pm (#)
Brother Andy,
Thank you so much for your faithful service to FBC and to the community. You have only been MY pastor for a few years, but I have been blessed by your ministry because of your years of being Dave’s pastor. Thank you for encouraging him as his pastor and as his boss. We are blessed to have a pastor that is faithful and obedient to what the Lord would have you to do. Thank you!
November 14th, 2008 at 4:19 pm (#)
Since the first day I met you I have always been amazed that you are the same each day whether you are in the pulpit or we are eating at your dinner table…genuine. That has spoken more to me than you can imagine and I am so thankful that God has blessed me to be a part of your family and to have you as my pastor. Thanks, I love you!
November 14th, 2008 at 4:27 pm (#)
Brother Andy, you have been a great blessing to our whole family. You are an excellent preacher and your messages are always right on target. Also, thank you for being a strong leader and faithful Christian servant. May God allow you to be our pastor for many more years.
November 14th, 2008 at 4:32 pm (#)
Andy, I think back over the years our family has had the privilege of knowing yours, and that spans a good 25 plus years! You have personally blessed us in so many ways, from encouraging Matt to take Yamaha lessons with Danny at 9 yrs old, (later wagging him on family vacations with you), to performing the wedding ceremonies of both Matt & Rachel (later being on hand for the birth of their children), to walking beside all of us during the dark days of Doug’s illness. You have always been there and sacrificed your personal time to meet our needs as well as those of the rest of the congregation. You are truly a “giver” in every sense of the word, and I consider myself truly honored to have had the opportunity to be chosen as your “assistant”. Thank you, Andy Davis, for investing your life in ours!
November 14th, 2008 at 4:52 pm (#)
Bro. Andy, your life is a good example of how a person has allowed Jesus Christ to change them in an awesome and spectacular way. C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Reality, in fact, is usually something you could not have guessed. That is one of the reasons I believe Christianity. It is a religion you could not have guessed.”
Who would have guessed that a little boy from Georgia could grow up to be a powerful spokesman for Christ. Only God knew.
Blessings,
Elliott and Linda Owen
November 14th, 2008 at 5:36 pm (#)
Andy,
You and your family have been a vital part of our lives since you arrived 20 years ago. You encouraged me as a single, then married Anne and I, and later helped lead our children to a decision to give their lives to Christ following with baptism. Anne and I are grateful for your leadership, love and example. We are blessed to be in the family of God and body of believers at FBC with you and we rejoice for what you’ve done in service to the Father’s Kingdom. God bless you brother!
November 14th, 2008 at 6:05 pm (#)
As new members of FBC Belton, we have been blest with the finest pastor a pastor and wife of 50 years could have in you Bro. Andy and pastor wife, Sharon. We can hardly wait to hear from the Lord thru you on Sundays. Being a pastor is many things but one of the most important being a spirit-filled man of God with a humble heart and a willingness to lead the flock of God. We love you and are so glad you are our pastor and wife.
November 14th, 2008 at 6:21 pm (#)
Andy, Cindy and I thank you for your faithful service. We will always remember how our family was so warmly welcomed to the Church when we moved from Virginia. God Bless you and Sharon on this special day!
November 14th, 2008 at 7:47 pm (#)
Brother Andy,
We marvel at how you’ve led the Church to provide opportunities for service to all members regardless of their talents. We are thankful also for the spiritual and doctrinal growth of the Church as a result of the messages that you have brought us in the worship services. The personal attention that you give each person contributes to personal growth.
Marie and I want to express our personal appreciation for your ministry.
Marie and Bill Moon
November 15th, 2008 at 3:03 am (#)
Andy: I cherish your friendship and thank you for being
the godly man you are. Your witness is so faithfully
consistant, and because of that you are among the most
highly respected people in Central Texas. Keep up the
good work.
Shalom: Tony
November 15th, 2008 at 7:47 am (#)
Bro. Andy,
I am so happy to be a member of First Baptist Church Belton and more so that you are my pastor. You are an awesome preacher because you BELIEVE and preach from God’s Holy Word. You have been so dedicated to our church and church family for 20 years.
Thanks for being there when we need you in all circumstances and situations.
Ann Galure
November 15th, 2008 at 10:27 am (#)
How blessed our church is to have you as our pastor! You are consistent in your dedication to God and our church. You do not seek to elevate yourself, but seek to elevate God. During the 14 years I served as your secretary, I saw you live the life of a man dedicated to God every day–not just on Sunday.
I love Sharon, Danny, Stephanie, Matthew, Christy, Eric, Davis, and Asa. Y’all have all been such a blessing to my life and to the life of my family, especially during Harold’s illnesses and death. I thank God for you all.
November 15th, 2008 at 12:16 pm (#)
Dear Bro. Andy,
When we joined FBC (Virginia and I)our decision was influenced by your simple and powerful sermons which reflect God’s love and instruction. However the most
meaningful sermon you ever gave to us was at the rest
home where Virginia was battling cancer in her final
days. With your usual smile of encouragement you referred to several scriptures that were referencing our situation
and helping build our faith. We were both lifted up by this “sermonette” to one of your smallest congregations.
Your act of love reinforced our belief that we were at the right place at the right time in our lives.
Thanks, Andy
Billy Hall
November 15th, 2008 at 2:03 pm (#)
Thank you for being our Pastor. When we moved to Salado, we looked at several churches and we fell in love with First Baptist Church-Belton because of your messasges and the love and concern you showed to each one of us. We will always remember your visit to our home after we joined the church. We are truly blessed to have you as our Pastor and we love and appreciate you very much.
Eldon & LaNora Miller
November 15th, 2008 at 5:06 pm (#)
Dear Andy,
We are so pleased to have you as our spiritual father and leader of the greastest family I have known, our FBCB Family. I have so blessed to be a part of your world in reaching others for Christ. Thank you so much for everything you are and what you mean to my family. God bless you and yours from the bottom of our hearts.
We love you
Joe A. Trevino, Carolyn Joy,Sarah,Mariah & Mark
November 15th, 2008 at 7:31 pm (#)
Thank you for availing yourself to a young couple like us. You definitely have made our excursion to Texas more bearable. May God bless you for that, as well as for the guidance and godly counsel that you have bestowed upon us. You officiated our wedding and continue to encourage us to follow God’s good and perfect will for our lives, something that we do not take for granted. Being a pastor is no doubt hard, but being a “good” one is even harder. Thank you for being “good”! You embody that old adage which says, “Only one life, ‘til soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”
November 16th, 2008 at 9:58 am (#)
Dear Andy and Sharon:
Blessings to you both as you celebrate 20 years at FBC, Belton. It is such a joy to call you dear friends and also to have you as our pastor. Thank you for your heart for missions and your constant support and encouragement! May the Lord inspire both of you to always hope, always believe, always dream, always imagine and always be creative in order to honor HIM!
With deep love!
November 16th, 2008 at 8:50 pm (#)
I wasn’t able to come to the reception tonight, but I wanted to say thank you for your many years of leadership at FBC and in the community. You allow the Lord to shine through you daily, and people notice God’s work through you.
November 17th, 2008 at 11:24 am (#)
Dear Brother Andy, We were out of town this past week but wanted to let you know what an important part of the Williams Family you are. Your leadership and guidance over the years have blessed Mary Jane and I and our children have grown up with you being there pastor and there is nothing that could be more valuable in their christian growth. The past 20 years have gone by quickly but the Blessings that you have poured on our Church and Community will shine on forever. God is with you always, Thanks Blair
November 18th, 2008 at 12:48 pm (#)
Pastor Andy,
We were not able to make the celebration because of our little Bella. But, we wanted to take a minute to say thank you for restoring and providing an example of the look of joy, service, truth, and genuineness to ministry. Your example has meant alot to us as a couple embarking on what God has called us to do. Thank you so much.
Mike, Emily, and Bella Smith
November 20th, 2008 at 11:45 am (#)
Bro. Andy, thank you so much for your wisdom, your leadership, and your dedicated stewardship of the word! You are a great man and a true man of character! Thank you.