How To Reach The World From Wilton, Alabama!

I spoke at a church Sunday to honor a dear friend of mine who is retiring. I met Tom Hammett more than 35 years ago and have had the privilege of watching him Pastor the same church for 33 years. I was moved by the people who shared about various aspects of Tom’s life and ministry. I listened with an overflowing heart as adults, teens and children talked about his love and faithfulness. If you know Tom, you know that he was very uncomfortable with the personal attention.

So, why did I title this about reaching the world from Wilton, Alabama? I gleaned a great deal of insights into what it means to reach the world from where you live. Before I mention some of these, it is important for you to know that when Tom started the church the population of Wilton was in the early hundreds not even reaching 500, in other words, it was a small town. By the way, the population now according do a life-time member of the community has just broken 1000.

So if you want to reach the world from Wilton, Alabama, what is the secret? Here are a few of the things I picked up listening to people who were part of that process. By the way, the building was packed with more people that originally populated the town.

1.       Go where God leads regardless of the size of the ministry, church or  community.

2.       Move into the community and become a part of it not just a resident.

3.       Help people in the community regardless of their attendance at your church.

4.       Become one of the youth leaders to help launch the youth ministry when your church only has 25 in attendance.

5.       Train other youth workers so you can turn the work over to them.

6.       Be available to your people.

7.       Pastor the entire community without strings attached.

8.       Jump in and get dirty when you finally have property for your first building. Dig ditches, haul lumber, paint, and lay carpet with your people.

9.       Teach the Word to 25 people just like you would 250.

10.   Visit the hospitals, pray with the sick and cry when you perform their funerals.

11.   Love the children and be their Pastor too.

12.   Get involved with the youth and go on the all night events just because you care.

13.   Help direct your students to Christian College and then support them.

14.   Accompany your leaders to leadership conferences and let them see you learn.

15.   Have a plan for supporting missionaries and send them out from your church.

16.   Celebrate victories together.

17.   When your wife of over 30 years looses a horrible battle with cancer and precedes you to heaven, cry openly, praise humbly and work determinedly.

18.   Be a real person who is authentic and trustworthy.

19.   Laugh with your people.

Oh yeah and then when they have a special day to tell you how special you really are, explain with a sincere (not false humility) heart that the congregation should be the ones being honored.

This is a little longer than I normally post but quite frankly, my heart is full. I was blessed, challenged and my life enriched once again by the ministry and life of a simple country preacher who reached the world from Wilton, Alabama.