This Is How We Roll

Photo by Isaiah Young

The Parking Lot Ministry at FBC Starkville

When you think of the word "ministry," what comes to mind? Do you think of a pastor? A music leader? A Sunday school teacher? A missionary in a far-off land? What about golf cart drivers? What do golf carts have to do with ministry?

"To minister" is to give aid or service. But ministering is more than just serving as a pastor or teaching the scriptures. It is also serving others; to show others how Jesus lived by serving them in many ways. The story of Jesus washing the disciples' feet comes to my mind as an example of how we are to serve. John 13 tells us that it was just before the Passover feast when Jesus was sharing a meal with his disciples. He even knew one of them would betray Him, yet he also knew that He had been sent by the Father to serve rather than be served. 

So, he got down and began to wash the disciples' feet. When Jesus was done, He said: 

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." 

John 13:14-17 NIV

As followers of Christ, we are all called to serve just as Christ did here. Are we to literally go around and wash people's feet? No – rather we are to emulate the spirit of service that Jesus shows here. None of us is better than another and none of us are too good to serve in any capacity. Jesus can and will use us if we say, "Here am I! Send me!"

When I think of ways to serve, golf carts are not the first things that come to mind. Yet, God has found a way for our church to bless others and to serve others through them. Here at First Baptist, there is a group of around 35 men who take the time on Sundays to drive around the parking lots to welcome people and help them get to where they need. In rain, freezing cold, intense heat, or any weather that may come our way, they are there, serving. They not only help visitors, but they also help members of FBC. The older and wiser members, those with physical injuries, or those with new babies have all been served by these volunteers. They arrive early on Sunday mornings – usually around 7:45 am – and stay until services are over and the parking lots are empty. They keep watch over the parking lots and church grounds while we are in worship or community groups. Their job is so much more than just driving golf carts.

Dr. Lee Tyner, head of this ministry, says this is the main mission of the parking lot ministry – to ensure that people who are new to our church or unfamiliar with the church grounds feel welcome and comfortable. The first people many visitors meet are these drivers. They are sometimes the first to greet and welcome them. Therefore, these drivers make sure they not only feel welcome but also get to where they need to go. Dr. Tyner told one particular story that stood out in his mind. He saw a van full of people pull into the parking lot. This van was so full of joy and love, he says it was just "rocking back and forth"! Out poured this family with their daughter who was a new freshman at MSU. Dr. Tyner gave them a lift to the sanctuary and it was such a delightful experience. They mentioned how thankful they are that their daughter has such a welcoming and caring church to attend while she is away at college. Dr. Tyner has also said he has been blessed by the men who volunteer for this ministry. He says, "They jump in and step up to the plate when needed." These men have not only blessed the church and visitors, but they have also blessed the man in charge.

I chatted with a few other members of this important ministry. They all reiterated the same message – their main goal is to welcome people to First Baptist and to help anyone who is in need of a lift or aide.

Ken Lee got involved after a message from our former pastor Chip Stevens. Chip gave the church a charge – to not be a church of "pointers," but to be a church that leads and guides. As a larger church, it can be easy to get lost on campus. Ken said that God led him to volunteer and he has now been serving for about three or four years. He mentions one particular Sunday that stands out in his mind. He encountered a group of new college students. (We all know how busy the first Sunday back for university students can be!) They had parked on the opposite side of where they needed to be and were very unsure of where to go. So Ken greeted them, drove them over to the Warehouse where university students meet for Community Group, and made sure they knew where to go next for worship. Ken says it is such a blessing to be able to help others, especially visitors and new students. He says he also enjoys helping church members who may have a physical injury, the older church members, and young families with babies. The blessings come in knowing that he is helping others and in the thanks, appreciation, and smiles he receives.

Trey Schilling, another volunteer on the parking lot ministry team, mentions that he got involved in a similar way. He checked a box on a volunteer sheet that the church handed out one Sunday that he was interested in serving with this ministry. He also spoke about how much he enjoys helping people find their way around campus and giving them rides to where they need to be. The blessings abound for him in knowing that he is able to help others.

So, the next time you are walking through the parking lot to the sanctuary, the Warehouse, or the Children's Building, make sure to find one of these volunteers, catch a ride, and thank them for volunteering. No member of the body is more important than another and no job is too small for showing others how much Christ loves them. Thank you, parking lot ministry team for all you do for our church and community!  

If you are interested in serving on this team, contact Dr. Lee Tyner (662-769-1055), Bridget Keel or Clifton Curtis in the church office.