What happens when a church views its people, talents, and resources as gifts meant to be shared? The story of Myers Park Baptist Church in 1990 offers an inspiring answer. Throughout the year, the congregation demonstrated that the reach of a church is not measured by the size of its buildings, but by the generosity with which it shares its gifts. Whether sending a minister halfway around the world to teach future church leaders, joining neighboring congregations in musical worship, gathering members to tell stories across generations, or supporting ministers as they answered new callings, Myers Park Baptist Church continued to invest in people and relationships. The year unfolded as a testament to a congregation that understood ministry as both a local calling and a global opportunity.

Sharing Our Gifts with the Global Church
Senior Minister R. Eugene Owens accepted an invitation to teach at the Baptist Theological Seminary Rüschlikon, where he offered courses in the theology of worship and preaching. In a letter to the congregation, Rev. Owens expressed gratitude to the Craig-Hollingsworth Mission Fund, the Church Endowment Fund, and the Clara and Guy Carswell Fund, whose support enabled both his ministry abroad and guest preachers to serve the congregation during his absence. He also acknowledged the partnership of the European Baptist Federation, the International Mission Board (then the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention), and the American Baptist Churches USA, reflecting a rich tradition of ecumenical cooperation. Joined by his wife, Ann Owens, Gene described the experience not as a personal achievement but as a gift from the congregation to future church leaders around the world. His letter conveyed both gratitude and anticipation, trusting that a season of study and renewal would strengthen his ministry upon returning home.

Music That Builds Community Across Congregations
The church's commitment to artistic excellence was beautifully expressed through collaborative performances of A German Requiem, Requiem, Opus 45, by Johannes Brahms. The Chancel Choir joined the choir of First Baptist Church Greenville alongside members of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of William Thomas. Soloists included Barbara Gulley and Douglas Anderson.

A second performance at Myers Park Baptist featured conductor Noel Lovelace, with soloists Susan Thomas and James A. Berry. These shared musical offerings were offered free of charge and reflected the church's conviction that beauty, worship, and collaboration strengthen both congregations and communities.

Stories That Shape Faith
Recognizing the power of storytelling to form faith and connect generations, Myers Park Baptist hosted an all-church Storytelling Workshop in March 1990. The weekend included workshops, an intergenerational celebration, and a plenary session for adults, affirming that stories—whether biblical, personal, or communal—help shape identity, preserve memory, and inspire hope. The emphasis on intergenerational participation reflected the congregation's belief that wisdom flows in every direction across the life of the church.

Honoring Dan Sandifer's Faithful Risk-Taking
The congregation bid a heartfelt and bittersweet farewell to Dan Sandifer as he concluded his 28-month ministry as Minister with Youth. During his time at Myers Park Baptist, Dan invested deeply in the lives of young people, guiding them through thoughtful lessons centered on freedom, risk-taking, values, responsibility, and the importance of making wise choices.

True to the principles he so often encouraged others to embrace, Dan chose to embark on a new journey of his own. He left Myers Park Baptist to begin graduate studies in Marriage and Family Therapy at Virginia Tech University, pursuing a calling to further serve and support individuals and families.

Reflecting on his time at Myers Park, Dan spoke warmly of the profound impact the congregation had on his life. He described his ministry experience as a lasting gift, one that strengthened his confidence and helped shape him both personally and professionally. He credited the church’s unwavering acceptance, affirmation, encouragement, and care for fostering a sense of belonging that he would carry with him into the next chapter of his journey.

Welcoming David Linwood Rockwell
As one chapter closed, another began with the arrival of David Linwood Rockwell as the church's new Minister with Youth. Introduced by Bill Treadwell, David was described as bringing enthusiasm, compassion, energy, and a generous spirit. At the time of his call, he was completing his Master of Divinity at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, continuing his studies while beginning ministry at Myers Park Baptist. Raised in the American Baptist Churches USA tradition and later active at First Baptist Church Richmond, David's ministry represents both continuity and renewal. Church leaders celebrated what they repeatedly described as a mutual sense of calling—"we have a match"—underscoring the congregation's belief that ministry is rooted in discernment, relationship, and shared purpose.

Looking back, 1990 was a year that demonstrated the power of faithful stewardship, not simply of resources, but of people, gifts, and relationships. The congregation sent one minister to teach future leaders around the world, celebrated music that united communities, preserved stories that shaped identity, honored a beloved youth minister as he embraced a new calling, and welcomed another whose ministry was just beginning. Through each transition and opportunity, Myers Park Baptist continued to embody a vision larger than itself, trusting that acts of encouragement, collaboration, and service would bear fruit in ways both seen and unseen. It was a year marked not by standing still, but by faithfully sharing what God had entrusted to the church with a wider world.