From Brian to Billy
In our Small Group Leaders luncheon on Sunday one of our young leaders, Brian, told how he had successfully birthed several small groups. This was a testimony that was desperately needed, we have so many new people coming into FBCSmyrna and very few small groups for them. We need more small group leaders to develop apprentices so new groups can be birthed. Brian has done a phenomenal job at launching new groups and help apprentices grow.
Brian shared the story of his latest apprentice, Billy. Billy came into FBCSmyrna approximately 3 years ago and was far from God when he showed up with his wife. He had personal problems in all areas of life, and wanted to leave the service and the church as quickly as he could. On the first day he attended he sat near the back and close to the door so he could leave if things weren’t going the way he wanted them to go. He said as bad as he wanted to leave and as close as he was to the door he could not make himself leave. The Holy Spirit had placed him there to hear a message of truth and grace. Following that worship service he continued to come and the Lord began changing him and his family. It wasn’t long until the Lord changed Billy’s heart and he submitted his life and family to the Lord. Brian spoke of the time when he drove to see Billy and his family baptized at Billy’s family church, how he had seen Billy grow in the Lord, how he had submitted himself to godly teaching and training and now would be taking over the leadership the small group. Brian was overcome with emotion while telling the story, it was so refreshing to see men weep with joy over another man’s changed life. Billy, who is a mountain of a man, enveloped Brian with a huge hug at the close of the testimony. I was able to see that Jesus was leading that transition in the small group.
Thanks Brian for being a leader who is willing to invest in relationships with people to see them grow in faith. Thanks Billy for being man enough to submit to God’s plan for your life and your family. Guys, keep leading and keep following.