October 2, 2026
HIRAM, Ga. — Wayne Meadows, pastor of Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Hiram, declares that “making much of God” is his church’s theme and he believes that love conquers all. Therefore, he has focused on reaching the church’s neighborhood and the country of Ecuador with the love of Christ by building relationships and sharing the gospel.
Meadows became the pastor of Poplar Springs in 2012 and God gave him a vision for reaching his community and extending the ministry of the church far beyond any imagined boundaries. Since coming to Hiram, the Poplar Springs church has gone to two morning worship services, and Sunday evenings are designed to equip the church members through parenting workshops, disciple-making sessions, and Bible study opportunities.
The church has provided a significant ministry to the schools in the area, including Sam D. Panter Elementary School, Bessie L. Baggett Elementary School, and South Paulding High School.
The church reaches out to these schools at various seasons of the year to bless the teachers and students with the love of Jesus. In some cases, that means feeding the teachers at the beginning of the school year, sometimes it is providing backpacks loaded with school supplies to children in need, or giving presents to children in December to ensure that they have a very merry Christmas. The schools have responded with appreciation and have welcomed the church into their environment.
In July, the church has a booth at the Georgia Outdoor News Sportsman Show at the LakePoint Sports Complex in Emerson. Thousands of people interested in hunting and fishing come from near and far to see the exhibits and find out fresh tips and techniques on outdoor sports. There are turkey calling contests, opportunities for hunters to win prizes for having harvested the deer with the largest antlers, and there are even snake shows for those who are reptile lovers or still working on their courage.
However, Poplar Springs has seized the opportunity to place a booth at this venue to present the gospel. A screen behind their display says in bold letters “Hunt for Him,” underscored with the words from Isaiah 55:6: “Seek the Lord while He may be found.”
The hosts at the booth ask visitors to fill out a survey that helps them identify their spiritual condition. More than 600 people have completed the survey and many have received a gospel presentation. Those who respond receive an email that is designed to help them find a Southern Baptist church near where they live.
Meadows and Poplar Springs are attempting to saturate their Jerusalem with the message of God’s redeeming love.
One church cannot directly reach all the nations of the world, but it can make a significant impact through gifts to the Cooperative Program and to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Poplar Springs gives to the CP, and in the last several years has increased its gifts to the International Mission Board from $500 to almost $35,000.
The church, under Meadows’ leadership, has also focused its international mission efforts by commissioning members of the church to assist with God’s work in South America, particularly in Ecuador. Poplar Springs partners with New Georgia Baptist Church and Highland Community Church to serve the people of a country that straddles the equator on South America’s west coast.
The leadership of the Hiram church has connected with veteran International Mission Board missionaries Johnny and Donna Maust, who initially served among the Mestizo people in the Andes Mountains but have now moved to Ecuador’s northern coast to reach the Afro-Ecuadorian population, an unreached people group in the Largarto and Rioverde regions. Meadows said, “Our churches are working collectively to reach this Ecuadorian community.”
The Mausts focus on church planting, evangelism among Afro-Ecuadorians, and community development, including a soap-making business called “Nectar” that empowers local women and draws them into conversations about Christ.
A writer for the IMB explained, “Donna learned to make soap using local ingredients like aloe vera, milk, oats, and honey, and started soap-making classes in five communities. In one rural area, the class led to a Bible study group of 15-20 adults. In other areas, people make decisions to follow Christ or deepen their commitment to Him.”
Pastor Meadows stated, “The Mausts are wonderful examples of missionaries. They told me that Ecuador is their home and that they would be buried there when they died.”
Meadows continued, “When we got to our assigned area for the purpose of ministering to the people, there was no church, no Bible study, no semblance of the Christian faith. So, we immersed ourselves in the community. We took a plumber with us, and he helped the people get running water, which greatly improved their quality of life.
“On another trip, Keith Stell, pastor of New Georgia Baptist Church, joined the mission of Poplar Springs and took a small engine repairman from their church to help the fishermen get their boat motors functioning properly, and that was a significant blessing to them."
“Now, there is an effective Bible Study group that meets regularly and it is being taught by a young man who has been mentored by Johnny Maust. We are hoping and praying that we will soon be able to see a church emerge out of this Bible study that can become the center of their community and a haven of faith and hope.”
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