Debbie Brunson gives message of renewal, hope

Fort Myers (FBC)-Standing before a white picket fence and vine-covered arbor, keynote speaker Debbie Brunson shared a message of renewal with 138 ministers' wives at the garden-themed annual Ministers' Wives luncheon Nov. 14 at McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers.

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This year's theme "A Well-Watered Garden" was based on Isaiah 58:11 and communicated to the women the need for a renewed spirit in the hope that they "will not grow weary in their spirits of good doing," said Cindy Landry, president of the 2006 Ministers' Wives Conference. Also during the luncheon, Jeanette Henry, wife of Jim Henry, retired pastor of First Baptist Church in Orlando, received the Clyde Maguire Ministers' Wife Award.

Brunson, wife of Mac Brunson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, further addressed the theme with Galatians 6:17 by explaining that women must use the trials, as well as the triumphs, to do God's work.

"What do you think about when you look at the scars in your life?" Brunson challenged. "You can allow God to use the physical, emotional and spiritual scars to work together in your life."

Brunson, who underwent a bilateral mastectomy after losing her mother to breast cancer, spoke to the power of a renewed spirit. "When the bandages were removed, my body was a roadmap of scars," said Brunson, "but God causes all things to work for us."

In her testimonial of a transformed and vibrant spirit, Brunson shared that during a mission trip to the Ukraine in 1998 she found herself in the breast cancer ward of a hospital. "I was able to share with them because of my scars," she said. Brunson told how as she stopped by bed after bed, the patients accepted Christ, concluding "God doesn't make mistakes."

Nancy Sullivan, wife of John Sullivan, executive director-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention, presented this year's Clyde Maguire Ministers' Wife Award to Jeanette Henry. Sullivan highlighted her many accomplishments including her endowment for ministers' wives.

Henry is member of First Orlando where her husband served as pastor for over 20 years before his retirement.

The award is named for the late Clyde Merrill Maguire, whose husband, John, served as executive secretary-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention from 1945-1967. It recognizes a Florida Baptist woman who has demonstrated faithful use of her God-given gifts in support of her husband's ministry and in her own ministry. Henry accepted the award with open appreciation.

"I thank the Lord for my life," said Henry. "I think if I had a thousand lives to live I would like to live them all as a ministers' wife." Henry concluded with advice for fellow wives.

"In Psalms we are told we are knit in our mother's womb. He knitted us all differently but all perfectly as he wanted us to be," Henry said, encouraging those present to be happy with themselves and their lives.

The luncheon also included musical presentations by Patty Culbertson, program vice-president and wife of Matt Culbertson, associate pastor of Sarasota Baptist Church, and Kayla Powell, daughter of Richard Powell, pastor of McGregor Baptist in Fort Myers.

Mae Upchurch, wife of T. Howell Upchurch, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Arcadia, performed a theme interpretation skit depicting Jesus using the humblest of servants.

During the business session of the luncheon, the nominating committee announced the 2007 Ministers' Wives Conference officers: Linda Belz, Daytona Beach, president; Mary Littleton, Palm Coast, first vice president; and Sherry Dale Rottenberger, DeBary, secretary/treasurer.