Greensboro pastor mobilizes hundreds of volunteers
By Gretchen Ross
GREENSBORO - Nearly a year ago, senior pastor Joe Giaritelli and the 2,300-members of Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro began making plans for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).
"Over 100 volunteers from our church have packed 1,500 bags full of books, CDs and earrings for the pastors' wives' luncheon," said Giaritelli.
Volunteers from Lawndale impacted the convention June 13-14 by acting as ushers, stuffing envelopes and ballot cards, providing shuttle transportation from area hotels and offering childcare services.
"Volunteerism builds teams and it is a blessing to be a part of something that is larger than ourselves," said Giaritelli, a towering man who couldn't help but make sweeping motions with his arms. "Watching the spirit unite us to do a large project is a wonderful blessing," Giaritelli said. Some of our workers have worn out their fingers stuffing envelopes but they continue to do it and have a great time."
The Lawndale congregation is no stranger to community service. One group is preparing for a trip to Mississippi to aid in disaster relief. Also, next month, the student ministry will travel to New Hampshire to plant churches and establish athletic camps.
Giaritelli experienced a few unexpected problems at the annual Baptist meeting, but said he found the work a joy. In the future, Giaritelli said he would like to see a bigger student ministry at the convention with break-out sessions for younger pastors and college-age students with dynamic speakers.
"Having an afternoon with music and keynote speakers focused on students and younger pastors is an issue I would like to discuss with leadership in Nashville," said Giaritelli. "It would be a big draw of the convention to have a speaker from the millennia generation."
As the convention drew to a close, Giaritelli said he found fulfillment in serving alongside the members of his church and other Baptists from the state.
"I want people when they leave, who don't know the volunteers, to understand what a blessing it has been to serve," said Giaritelli. "I want people to be blessed by God."
(EDITOR'S NOTE - Gretchen Ross is part of the Journalism Institute sponsored by Baptist Press in association with Campbell University.)
