October 2022
I have had the honor to serve on the North Carolina Baptist State Convention Board of Directors for the last four years. I served on the board twenty years ago which included a one-year unexpired term and a full four-year term. Things were a bit different in those days that made it challenging for a more conservative board member than the majority. Yet, it was an educational experience that I cherished.
My experience this time around was extremely enlightening and exciting. The first two years, I was elected in an at-large slot to the Executive Committee. The last two years, I was elected chairman of the Communications Committee, which automatically placed me on the Executive Committee.
Serving on the Executive Committee for the entire four years was very satisfying for me as, I learned even more and was afforded an opportunity to be more involved with the interactions of the Convention.
In addition, I was also appointed during my first year, by Clay Smith, the board president, to the Articles and By-Laws Committee which was a four-year term as well. All of this combined, of course, required a significant investment of time.
In my many years of community service and church related involvement, these last four years have truly been a highlight of my servant life. I came away with many wonderful relationships and significantly greater understanding of what God is doing for His kingdom through the Baptists of North Carolina. Our state convention is an amazing organization and among the best in the nation.
N.C. Baptist consistently lead the nation in Lottie Moon & Annie Armstrong Missions giving. Our yellow coat volunteers of Baptists on Mission are recognized world-wide as one of the premier disaster relief organizations in the world. Our Baptist Children’s Homes have brought hope, relief, education, love, family, worth and the knowledge of salvation through Jesus Christ to thousands in our state and in Guatemala. Hungry folks are fed, Empty folks are fulfilled. Lonely folks are loved, lost folks are saved because of the efforts of N.C. Baptist. There are so many amazing services that are administered to the world through our state convention.
Our Executive staff is second to none and have such amazing hearts of service and love and commitment to the cause of Christ. Our State Convention staff as a whole is an incredible body of people who are absolutely sold out to honor Jesus, love people and assists Baptists leaders in every possible way.
The volunteers across our state are incredible. One recipient of assistance after a major storm has commented “Those are not yellow shirts, they are wings”, of course referring to these volunteers as Angels.
It was a great privilege to serve under the leadership of Executive Director & Treasurer, Milton Hollifield, who served our state with class and a burning passion for getting the gospel of Jesus to every ear & heart. So, when Todd Unzicker was elected to follow Milton after his retirement, I determined to observe this new leader. He came in with lots of energy, passion, experience and a heart to lead us On Mission Together. I leave feeling I have made another new friend and with confidence that he is the right man to lead this wonderful organization to the next level.
I am so blessed to be a North Carolina Baptist and Thank God for that privilege.
James A Harrington, Associational Mission Strategist
