By BILL KENT

In November 2000, a family of four, Cindy, Allen, Sarah and Bill, moved to Cordele. Through the years, I’ve met a lot of good people. Everybody has good qualities. Encouragers are the best people like Barnabas, “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36). In 1 Corinthians, Paul deals with the childishness of the Corinthian church members. Division and rivalry inside a church are sure signs of selfishness and immaturity. Paul urged unity by calling them to focus on Christ. Then he said, “Edify” which means build up rather than tear down one another.
In childhood, a few of us from Statesboro went to a Georgia Bulldog Football Camp for Middle School and High School players. Erk Russell seemed like Superman. He made us feel like we really could be great and win at everything. We didn’t have any idea what kind of impact Erk would have on Statesboro years later. The late Sheriff Donnie Haralson gave you a boost every time you saw him. How many people lift you up when they can barely walk due to suffering from Cancer? Recently, Rooney Bowen went to be with the Lord. Bowen was raised in Dooly County but branched out as he served in both the House and Senate of the Georgia Assembly. His best work was helping the Disabled and Youth.
In Wilcox County, several mature ladies, who are Christian examples, cheer me on and pray regularly. I can’t mention all their names, but I want to give special recognition to Doris Rountree and Ida Sheffield. Pitts Baptist Church is greatly blessed to have a young man named Alex Clements as Music Director and Pianist. I’ve heard some of the best singers and piano players in the whole world like Anthony Berger and Roger Bennett. Alex could be playing in Branson or Nashville now but he loves this area as well as being close to family.
In my almost 52 years, one of the most outstanding people is Bobby Jolly. He is married to Dorothy, sons, Joe, Jay and Jim and several grandchildren. I met him at the service department of Rooney Bowen Chevrolet. Bobby gives you a smile, a good handshake and always has something good to say. Since I have been a widower, he has given me more encouragement than anybody else. Let us follow Bobby’s example and be sons and daughters of encouragement.
Bill Kent, Religion Columnist