Over the next few months we will be posting these short interviews with the deacons of Windsor. This first interview is with John Carmichael:
Q: How long have you and Gail attended Windsor Baptist Church? How did you first become involved?
A: Gail, I and our family began attending Windsor Baptist Church in 1979 after our initial visit in October 1979. We were welcomed very warmly. Windsor was noted for it’s excellent (active) youth program. We had previously been members of the Pottstown Christian and Missionary Alliance church as this was the church I grew up in but felt a need to worship closer to home. Although visiting other churches in the area, we felt that God was directing us to Windsor.
Q: How did you and Gail meet; what is your story?
A: We met at that C&MA church in Pottstown that my grandfather, an ordained Methodist minister, had helped found in the early 1930’s. As a young fellow, I could not imagine a better reason for going to church. Gail initially was my sister Ruth’s best friend. We dated on and off for several years but after I served 2 years in the US Army Military Police corp, God drew us together. On June 14, 2013 we will have been married for 49 great years. (I know the joke – 2 for Gail and 47 for me.)
Q: How did you come to faith in Christ?
A: I was very fortunate to grow up in a Christian family but soon realized that I was far from perfect or even good. I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior at the age of 8. My experience as a follower of Christ was marked by rededications as God revealed the need for a deeper walk with Him.
Q: Why is membership at WBC important?
A: As we try to stand for Christ in our daily lives, the opportunity for real growth as a disciple occurs within the loving environment of a church like Windsor. The truthful teaching of God’s word in a fellowship of others striving to follow Him and the opportunity to serve both God and others are constant reminders of how God would have us be a witness of who He is and how He wants us to live.
Q: What is something God has taught you in recent years?
A: God has been impressing on me the need to fully depend on Him for solutions to problems and answers to questions. I am not quite old enough to be part of ‘the greatest generation’ but I was raised with an ample amount of self sufficiency and make-it-work ethic Numerous times God has answered prayer when there did not appear to be an answer. He has glorified Himself while teaching that the only answer is trusting in Him.
Q: What do you love about serving as a deacon at WBC?
A: I appreciate the position on the deacon board at Windsor as an opportunity to lead through serving. This task challenged me to have greater appreciation for and knowledge of God’s Word and its application to my daily living. I have developed deep relationships with other board members as we try to guide the congregation in their walk with God.
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
A: Gail and I enjoy our family and home. Outdoor activities such as gardening (vegetable and flower) and just enjoying God’s creation. Someone once said if you have a house, you don’t need a hobby. I also occasionally enjoy target shooting.
Q: How can the Windsor church family encourage the deacons?
A: The greatest encouragement to the deacon board is to have the congregation join with us as God’s family, honoring Him in all we do, sharing the good and bad times together. We desire to know our fellow sheep so together we may support our shepherd pastors in honoring and serving the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
Please let us know how we can encourage each of you in the daily struggle called life. We truly appreciate each of you as our church family.