Take the Plunge

From the Archives: Winter of 2011

Written by George Wright

Neither of my parents were believers when I was born. Mom was saved first and Dad soon followed suit. Mom witnessed with her words. When Dad was saved, he clearly became a new man. Their loving witness led me to accept Jesus when I was seven years old. Our new family in Christ began to love and serve Him daily. It was our heart’s desire to do what He would have us do. The Lord allowed me to attend Tennessee Temple University where I graduated with a degree in Bible and speech. But even greater than getting through such a fine Christian school was the fact that I met my wife there. I could fill five pages talking about my wife, Debbie. She is the godliest person I know. Nobody has a clue what having a wife like Debbie means when it comes to being in ministry. Plus, she is smokin’ hot!

Called to the High Country

After graduation, Debbie and I were hired at Teen Valley Christian Camp in Plumtree, North Carolina, which brought us to the High Country. The camp provided housing, meals, insurance and $150.00 a month as our salary. When I started as program director, my responsibilities included speaking to hundreds of kids. During ski season, many kids came to the camp. The kids would participate in Bible studies and, of course, being in a ski area, lots of recreation. Teen Valley Ranch may be one of the best-kept secrets in the High Country. It is a place designed to present Christ in a fun atmosphere of acceptance and love. That was drilled into the staff members: our mission was to try to connect with everyone and show them the love of Christ.

New Mission, Fresh Passion

In the same year I became Executive Director of TVR, our family became members of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. My responsibilities changed in this new role. I traveled to numerous churches to inform them about the camp and was asked to preach in many of them. I found my mission changed as I spoke to men’s groups and others. I began to develop a real passion for teaching and preaching. I found great satisfaction in the study and delivery of what I’d studied that week. No doubt I was meant to be a teacher-pastor.

Partnering with the Body of Christ

When Mt. Calvary needed a pastor ten years ago, they hired an interim who was involved in his own local ministry. Occasionally, he would ask me to fill the pulpit for him. After a year or so, it became clear to me that the Lord was causing growth at Mt. Calvary and growth in me. While Debbie and I prayed about what God might have for our lives, we never anticipated that we’d leave the camp. God was working, however. The confirmation in my own heart was due, in a major way, to the strength of the lay church leadership. They weren’t waiting for ministry to happen, they were doing ministry. That’s when I knew I would have partners at Mt. Calvary. I was excited and pleased to be called to pastor the church. It’s a mystery to me that God would entrust me with this awesome responsibility. The Lord reminds me on a daily basis that I am to be humble and love people. I don’t do that real well. He has to pull me back and causes me to remember that I’m His child. He constantly reminds me that He has to Shepherd me if I am to shepherd His people. He does that through His Word, the loving council of my wife, and sometimes through the needed word of rebuke from some of my own people right here in the church. I am fond of saying from the pulpit, “We are a bunch of sinners who mean the best but often fail….if you think we are the perfect church, this not the place for you.”

Reaching Outside the Walls of the Church

A few years ago, as I contemplated my personal ministry, I realized I didn’t have any relationships with people outside the church. At the same time, a local tragedy introduced me to the Banner Elk Volunteer Fire Rescue service. Four members of that department perished in a boating accident off the coast of North Carolina. As I spoke with some of the members, I realized that this was a large group of people who were being under-served by the church. After praying and discussing this with some members of the fire department, I immediately had an interest in joining. The child in me said, “It will be fun.” What child isn’t fascinated by a fire truck? But, the pastor in me said, “I’d love to cultivate relationships with the women and men who make up the department.” I now serve as a volunteer fire fighter chaplain. My first priority is to preserve life and property, but I want the members to know they are safe with me. I am open to their questions about my faith in Christ or any other subject. It is my desire to communicate to them that Christ is my hope. These brothers and sisters are not my projects. They are my friends. Through this friendship, I am hoping to save lives in more ways than one.

Diving Into God’s Grace

Although I was saved as a child, worked with thousands of kids at camp, have been given the responsibility of pastoring a church and becoming a fire-fighting chaplain, I am still learning that God is all about grace. My early experience in church was very much rules and the expectations of men. But we all need grace… even Christians. Some people see grace like a diving board—it’s what enters us into the pool. I see grace like the pool—it’s the reality in which we swim. God’s grace truly amazes me. I’m so glad to be swimming in the beauty of His grace. I pray that my witness will encourage others to “take the plunge.”