Lone Oak First Baptist Church

"In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (Romans 12:5 NIV)


My parents changed their church membership to Lone Oak First Baptist Church(LOFBC) when I was 9. Little did I know what impact this church would still have on my life over 25 years later!

Numerous individuals at LOFBC have contributed to my own spiritual growth as a youth and college student. Upon our arrival at my parents' home, Gana and I were surprised to receive a nice gift package from some of these folks.


I haven't been active in the life of LOFBC for many years. However, since 2002, I've been blessed by the expository sermons of Pastor Dan Summerlin(often mailed to me on CDs). Though he just arrived five years ago, Pastor Dan has helped to lead LOFBC into being more of a missionary-sending and equipping congregation.

Gana and I had lunch with Pastor Dan at Yu's Kitchen(Chinese restaurant) one day. We were greatly blessed by Dan's shepherd heart as we discussed our current ministries in Korea and thoughts about the future.


One guy who helped to put together many details for this trip to the US was Brother Jeff Wallace. Jeff served at the Baptist Student Center(Bangkok, Thailand) about ten years before I taught there(It was also during that period that Jeff met his future wife Cecilia). We first got acquainted back in '99, when Jeff was on furlough from missionary service in Spain.

In 2004, Jeff joined the staff at LOFBC. Since that time, he has helped to lead various mission teams as well as the church's senior adult ministry. During our last Sunday in the States, Jeff led one of the morning services in praying for us. Though Jeff had a very busy schedule this summer, we were able to catch up with him and his wife shortly before our departure.


Ron and Margaret Dunn have been praying for me since my college days, and I've been encouraged by their various correspondence since that time. They too helped us out in a number of ways during our visit to the US. One evening, we had dinner at their home. In addition to great food, Gana and I had a wonderful conversation with them. Here Ron and Margaret are pictured inside their kitchen.


Donnie and Barbara Jett are two of the pillars at LOFBC. I've known both since my middle school days, and have only in recent years begun to appreciate just how valuable they are at LOFBC. We had lunch with Donnie at Cracker Barrel the day before we left Paducah. I was surprised by Donnie's keen insight into my own ministry experiences, as well as his open view of ministry in the twenty-first century.


Thanks to all the others at LOFBC who made this trip a special time!