Briarlake's 50th Anniversary Celebration!

This past weekend was a glorious one! We had the priviledge of being a part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Briarlake Baptist Church. Briarlake was constituted in 1959 by a handful of dedicated men and women whose desire it was to share Christ with their community. Briarlake began as a mission church of Clairmont Hills Baptist and called Pastor Hoffman Harris as their first pastor. Ralph and I were married at Morningside Baptist in 1966, but joined Briarlake in 1968- before having either one of our girls. Other than the four years we lived in Jacksonville, FL, we have been there ever since. It seems amazing that we could be already celebrating 50 years! Above and below are some of the decorations for the two receptions that were held in order for people to fellowship with each other.

Saturday evening there was a wonderful Anniversary Concert. The full choir and orchestra consisted of people who had been a part of each, over the years. Both of our girls participated, and in the photo below, they are singing a duet. Of course, Ralph and I were very proud of them and so humbled to think of all the people at Briarlake who, through the years, have had such an impact upon their lives.

In the next picture, Inman Houston, the son of our close friends, George and Jeanne Houston, is singing. Inman sang in the weddings of each of our girls, and is now the Pastor of First Baptist in Lawreneville, GA.

We had receptions on Saturday evening and again on Sunday morning. It was so much fun seeing so many from the past. Below, is Inman's wife, April, their younger son, and Molly Painter Moore, who has been a friend of Amy's for many years.

Three of these four are no longer at Briarlake, so it was great seeing them again! Below, from left to right are Marian Fairchild, David Fairchild, Lynn Sexton and Joy Roper.

Briarlake is installing a new outside baptistry. We had hoped to have it complete in time for the anniversary, but it was delayed. Construction has already begun, but a portable baptistry was brought in for the day. Below, Tommy Ferrell, our Pastor, is baptising a child who recently professed her faith in Christ.

Below, is Pastor Harris and Norman Smith "catching up" on old times.

David Ethridge, our maintenance superintendant, is greeting "old members", Lanelle and Riley Frost.

The "icing on the cake" was when David Platt preached the sermon on Sunday morning! What a powerful sermon! David's mom has been our pianist for years and has just recently retired. David grew up at Briarlake and said it was a challenge speaking to a congregation full of folks who had changed his diapers! What a treat it was to hear him preach, though! He is now pastor of The Church at Brook Hill in Birmingham, AL.

On Sunday, also , we got to see another "old friend", Charlene Miller. It was wonderful seeing her and her daughter, Ashley.

Here is Jackie Fuller, and her daughter, Theresa.

This is Amy's friend, Stacy Sullivan, her girls, and our little Pressley......

Last, but not least, is some of the Platt family. Julie, David's mother, and Amy, David's sister, are holding Lily, Leah and Lydia (Steve Platt's children), and the little boy, Caleb, is one of David's two boys.

I know this was a long blog, but I had such a hard time deciding which photos to use. They all are very special. We really had such a glorious time!