By Anna Swindle

He has a passion for door-to-door evangelism. She loves working with children and music. Together, Buddy and Emily Kirk make a dynamic missions duo, and that’s why they were honored as this year’s Outstanding Mission Volunteers on Nov. 17 at the Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting.

“It’s refreshing as a pastor to not have to constantly be keeping missions at the forefront of people’s minds, because I have lay people who are doing it,” said Tommy Winders, pastor of Carrollton Baptist Church, the Kirks’ home church. “I don’t feel the pressure to be looking for this and that, because I have people like Buddy and Emily making sure we don’t miss out on missions opportunities.”

That is an understatement. The Kirks have been on 18 missions trips — both international and domestic — over the past 10 years. Their first trip was an eye-opener.

“You could see the lostness in the area among the Indians and other people out there,” Buddy Kirk said of the Navajo reservation in Utah. “We thought, ‘Someone needs to be out there helping to spread the gospel,’ and we just saw that there was so much need in the world.”

Since he retired in January, he and his wife have been able to travel even more. In fact, they already have at least three trips on their 2010 agenda.

“We have so much fun sharing stories with [children] and playing games with them,” Emily Kirk said. “It is a joy to see their bright eyes so interested in learning everything they can about Jesus.”

Although choosing a favorite trip is difficult since the experiences differ so greatly, both of the Kirks named Ukraine and Brazil as their most memorable.

In Ukraine, they made an unscheduled visit to an orphanage, where 31 of the children, along with the director, ended up accepting Christ. In Brazil, the Kirks saw more people saved than on any of their other trips.

“We’re very interested in going back to Brazil,” he said. “We’ve been three times and we really love it, because the people there are so open and receptive to the Word.”

But the Kirks don’t have to go as far as Europe or South America to find people to share Jesus with through service.

About three years ago, the couple started A Great Day of Service as a way to reach out to the needy and elderly in Carrollton by doing yard work and other tasks for them.

The Kirks are a mainstay at churchwide outreaches, too.

“In our county, we do block parties and rarely do we do one that Buddy and Emily aren’t there and involved in (it),” Winders said. “[Buddy] does shotgun witnessing, where he goes around engaging people in conversation, and when he can, he shares the gospel with them.”

Since becoming involved in missions trips a decade ago, the Kirks have become strong leaders in Pickens Baptist Association, said Director of Missions Gary Farley.

“They just have a real passion for evangelism and reaching the lost and loving people,” he said.

That’s why Farley and Winders, along with others who know the Kirks, nominated the couple for volunteers of the year.

For the Kirks, being a part of missions is something they feel led to do, and it’s helped them to realize their role in God’s plan.

“We’re just focused on what God has for us and what we believe God has called us to do,” Buddy Kirk said.

“I think it’s given us a keener vision for what God’s real purpose is for redeeming a lost world and how we can help with it.”

Editor’s Note — This story first appeared in The Alabama Baptist newspaper (www.thealabamabaptist.org).

My wife, Linda, and I were getting close to retirement, so we started trying to decide where to spend the ‘rest of our lives.’ My last U.S. Air Force assignment was in Texas so we stayed there after my retirement until our children were out of school.

I like to get away to the mountains and Linda likes to go to the beach. So we decided to retire close to the beach but not too close. We wanted to minimize hurricane risks. We also wanted to live in a rural or small community. We had experienced enough traffic, noise and congestion while living near Omaha, Nebraska, Washington D.C.,and even Abilene,Texas.

Then we got the opportunity to come live at Linda’s grandfather’s homeplace in Pickens County, Alabama. Let’s see:

• It’s halfway between the beach and the mountains (beautiful rolling hills).

• It’s rural—peaceful and quiet with almost no traffic.

• It’s close to Columbus Air Force Base,so we can take advantage of base services.

• It’s close enough to family in the Birmingham, Alabama area.

• We’ve met lots of friendly people here.

• We’ve found a welcoming church where we’ve been really comfortable.

• Satellite TV and Internet are available.

• On top of all that, add the low cost of living and the LOWEST TAXES that we’ve found anywhere.

Taking all that into consideration, I said, ‘Please don’t throw me in that briar patch!’

We’ve lived at Briar Patch Farm since 2003 and couldn’t be happier. With dogs, cats, goats,chickens, a garden and friendly neighbors we stay occupied and satisfied.

Our only dilemma now is whether or not it’s a good idea to share the ‘secret’ of how great it is to live in Pickens County.

Wiley Mahan

The Aliceville Museum hosted a model building workshop on Saturday, March 1, 2008. Taught by Dr. Tom Baumann the participants learned to assemble a simple model kit. Participants ranged in age from 11 year-olds to those in retirement.The kits were provided free to the museum by several model companies. On completion of the first model, participants will receive a free second model kit. Future workshops are planned for more advanced model building. For more information on future workshops contact the museum at 205-373-2363.

Recently Alabama Public Radio covered camp experience and the reunion, producing this report.

Preceding Captain McMahon’s presentation, Elizabeth Rice announced the winners of the High School Veteran’s Day Essay Contest which was open to all 9th-12th grade students in Pickens County. The essay theme “The Price of Peace” was required to be not less than 400 words in length. Schools with more than 20 entries would receive $50 and Gordo High School was announced as the winner.

Museum Executive Director Ann Kirksey and Board of Directors members Carl Brooks and Elizabeth Rice will present checks to the winners after Thanksgiving. Congratulations to the following students:

• County Winner: Logan McCool, Gordo High School
• Gordo High School: (1st Place) Elliot McDaniel (2nd Place) Stacy Reece (3rd Place) Kristyn Irvin
• Aliceville High School: (1st Place) Shaniqua Spruill
• Pickens Academy: (1st Place) Laci Kyles (2nd Place) Shane Nance (3rd Place) Judson Smith

This linked article is by Dr. Jimmy Gentry’s first cousin, David Griffin who was a history professor at the University of West Georgia. This is the first of three articles he is submitting to The Patrick Henry ORATOR, a quarterly publication of the Henry County Historical Group.

The Pickens County Medical Center LOLLAPALOOZA – BBQ, Boogie & BLUES, an event helping to provide the best available emergency medicine for Pickens County, is celebrating its second year.

It is to be held on October 27th, from 7:00pm till midnight on the hospital campus and will feature mouthwatering barbecue, entertainment by SLO-GIN and Wille King and the Liberators, as well as a silent auction with something for everyone. The proceeds will continue to benefit the expansion of the Emergency Department. Tickets and t-shirts are available at Pickens County Medical Center. For more information please call: 205-367-8111 EXT 100.