I would like to introduce you to a Georgia Baptist treasure, Andy and Elizabeth Hammack and their ten beautiful children. Several friends had told me about this wonderful family, but as I preached a revival for their church, I was able to experience for myself what a treasure they are.

Andy serves as pastor for the Macedonia Baptist Church in Manchester. As a part of the Wave Revival emphasis, Andy invited me to preach their revival. This is an outstanding church with a warm and gracious spirit. I felt right at home from the time I first walked in the door - just the way it ought to be at church!

There were numerous things that impressed me about this family. I would like to try to communicate those things as a challenge to all of our Georgia Baptist families.

It was clearly and immediately evident that all ten children reflect the fact that they are being raised in a loving, disciplined, spiritual environment. They are happy. Their personalities are outgoing. They are sensitive and loving. They are secure in who they are and display that security as they meet total strangers with poise and graciousness. From the moment I first met them, I felt their kindness and love.

Sunday morning I asked Andy about the plans for Sunday dinner. He informed me that they were taking me to the Bulloch House in Warm Springs.

I asked, "What about the children?" Andy said, "We have made arrangements for them to eat at home." I told him that I would take them to lunch, but the children must come.

Andy replied, "Dr. White, you don't know what you are asking for."

I assured him I wouldn't have it any other way. What a party we had at the Bulloch house that day! As always, the food there was outstanding and I was able to observe a well organized and extremely well behaved family of twelve enjoying Sunday dinner.

With the children ranging in age from 18 months to 13 years, I wondered how we would all get through the buffet line. I would soon get my answer. Andy and Elizabeth calmly made assignments to the older children to go through the line and prepare the plates for the younger children. This they did quickly with a "Yes Ma'am," and a "Yes sir." In moments the younger children were seated with their food in front of them and the older children were getting their plates. Then we adults went through the line. It was all very organized and amazing.

We had a delightful time visiting. During our conversation, I asked Andy if he ever gets frustrated. I said, "You seem so calm." He replied, "Sure, I get frustrated - every day." Just then he saw some behavior from one of the younger children that he didn't like. One glance from Andy, one of those looks, and the problem was immediately resolved.

For dessert we all enjoyed chocolate cake, pie and banana pudding. Our dinner together that day was one of the most incredible moments I have ever experienced. I don't believe I will ever forget it.

Elizabeth has her bachelor's degree in nursing from Samford University. I said, "I guess that comes in handy." She assured me that she uses it every day. In addition to being the family wife, mom and nurse, Elizabeth is the schoolteacher as she home schools her children. It is obviously working. The children are very bright. I could tell from conversing with them that they are well educated. I was so impressed with their ability to converse with the visiting preacher on many subjects and it was as though we had all known one another for years.

I had learned before going to Macedonia that Andy, Elizabeth and the children often sing together. I made Andy promise on Sunday morning that I would hear special music from his family during the revival. He agreed. On Wednesday night the family sang. It blessed my heart. I told Andy when they were through that I wanted the entire Convention to hear his family. I am planning for that to happen very soon.

As I go to a church to preach I consistently pray that God would cause me to be a blessing to the congregation. Usually I leave feeling that I have been more blessed by the congregation. That was certainly true at Macedonia in Manchester. I think that by now all of you who read this column know that I have a great love for families. Can you imagine what a tremendous blessing this was to me!

The crowning moment of the week for me came at the invitation on Wednesday night when Andy and Elizabeth's son, Daniel, stepped forward, took his father's hand and said, "I want to become a Christian." Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.

As I drove away from the church on Wednesday night I thanked the Lord for the surprising blessing He had given me by allowing me to get to know this Georgia Baptist treasure. To tell you the truth, it made me want to have seven more children so I could have ten. I shared that thought with Janice. She's just now recovering from her episode of high blood pressure!