History of the Senior Saints

           Senior Saints started around 2005 with Shirley Williams, Tiny Dowdy, and Virginia and Sherman Haley.   They were from different churches, but they were serving our God as a unified group--taking His Word and love to shut-ins with singing, reading, praying and loving those who could not go out on their own.  They would also either take a lunch to the shut-ins, or take them out to lunch after the meeting. 

          After a couple of years, another wonderful couple, Dale and Linda Eller joined the group, and they continued serving for quite a while. Then Norris Lewis, awesome deacon and teacher at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, led a study on “Experiencing God” at which time God spoke to Shirley about having a seniors’ ministry in our church.   He prompted her to speak with our pastor about it.  After a few weeks, and much encouragement from Norris, Shirley met with our pastor. Pastor Matthew thought it would be a good ministry, and so the Senior Saints started meeting in our church.  Dale and Linda Eller also opened their home on several occasions for us to meet.  We had so much love, food, fun, and learning--but most of all worshipping our awesome Savior both at church and at Dale and Linda’s house.  Tony and Amie Phillips (son-in-law and daughter) were, and still are, a big support for the Senior Saints.

          We now have members from at least five churches from different areas in the New River Valley.   Our Senior Saints ministry has grown from four people walking and serving the Lord to at least 30+, not counting our loved ones who are waiting ‘til we will all be together with Jesus.

          The Senior Saints meet twice per month, and we have a meal every other meeting since COVID began.  We have so many wonderful times together--loving, sharing, praying, worshiping and studying God’s word.  We also take a trip to Cana normally twice a year to go shopping; and we have gone to Giles for a peaceful protest to keep the Ten Commandments in the High School.  We have had several good teachers and studies over the years.

          All of this and more came about by Shirley asking God to use her any way He wanted. Just look at what He has done and will continue to do!  We now have a wonderful pastor (Michael Bartlett) who has joined in to help lead us and teach us.  God has blessed us so greatly over the years, and we just want to say -  

To God Be the Glory!!

Praise His

Holy Name!

Author:  Debbie Vaught