Joe Logan, Elder
What responsibility do you have at the church or what is it that you volunteer to help with?
I was ordained as an Elder at Murdock Baptist Church. I am the Bible Teacher for the church at Lexington Manor. I also volunteer at the church including ringing the bells for Salvation Army between Thanksgiving & Christmas each year. I also volunteer with Connection Ministry under Darryl Denison,
How long have you been a member of the church?
I’ve been a member of MDC since 2015.
List three adjectives to describe yourself.
Faithful, Dependable, Biblically Sound.
What has been your favorite part of being a volunteer?
Favorite part of volunteering is teaching the Bible at assisted living.
Why do you think volunteering is a good fit for you?
Volunteering is the natural response in carrying out God’s outreach to others.
If you were to encourage others to volunteer, what would be the benefits you would tell others about?
My encouragement is to pick one volunteer opportunity. It will inspire you in your walk with the Lord. It does not have to be a leadership position, or teaching the Bible. We have volunteers that clean the church, help with exterior, volunteer in church office, helping with children, teens. So many opportunities. Start with something that fits your talents or interest. It will bless others and bless you.
How has your volunteering for the church affected you?
I have been volunteering since I was saved in the Navy in 1963. It has opened up many ministry opportunities. Helping in Bible Studies on the ship during Vietnam. After I was married it opened up opportunities for teaching classes, migrant ministries, helping addicted people, being a deacon, bus ministry, etc. Volunteer has been brought growth in my life while God was able to use me.
What was one of your favorite memories you’ve had when you’ve volunteered?
I have so many great memories in the bus ministry but my favorite ministry is teaching the Bible to the residents of Lexington Manor Assisted Living. A precious part of that ministry was leading a WWII veteran in his 90s to received Christ as his Savior. The memories of WWII had haunted Bob and was washed away with his salvation. Pastor Ron baptized him in Bryan Skupin’s pool. Bob is now with the Lord.
What made you decide to reach out and help?
My Uncle was a pastor and church planter. He was the one who had a pastor in Pensacola reach out to me. I went from carrying the sailors to the bar to bringing them to church. The Holy Spirit just gave me a great purpose in bringing others to Jesus. When my mother died of cancer when I was just out of high school, I felt anger towards God and joined the Navy. My Uncle Archie (brother of my mother) was the one who prayed for me and sent a pastor to present Jesus to me. My anger to God transformed into loving God.
Tell us something about yourself that nobody may know about you? (some thing fun or unique)
I was one of the few senior citizens that was born in Florida. Born in 1941 in a little town near Tallahassee. I was at Ellison Field Navy that was the helicopter training base for Navy, Coast Guard and Marines. This was in 1962 or 1963 and I met several of the originals astronauts who had to do helicopter training. Those were in the days when photos were not taken of famous moments like this when meeting: The seven original American astronauts were Navy Lieutenant Scott Carpenter, Air Force Captain Gordon Cooper, Marine Lieutenant Colonel John Glenn, Air Force Captain Gus Grissom, Navy Lieutenant Commander Wally Schirra, Navy Lieutenant Commander Alan Shepard, and Air Force Captain Deke Slayton.
I love these testimonials. They are beautiful and I can get to know these people better so when I come back to church in the winter I may remember them. Hopefully I can find something to do when I get back to Florida.