JOE GRAHAM

AUGUST 1

Joe has served for 27 years as a state missionary in Collegiate Ministries. As specialist in that department, he oversees campus ministries on 53 college campuses in Georgia. Through Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM’s), students learn just what it means to be Christ-followers" - learning to be growing disciples, learning to share their faith with other collegians, and discovering who (and what) it is that God has called them to be (and do) with their lives. Joe asks that Georgia Baptists pray for all the collegians who are about to head back to school and for their families as they adjust to these same times of transition. Please pray for the Campus Ministers, interns and volunteers who are your State Missionaries on the colleges and universities in Georgia - truly a mission field in our midst.

JUDY HINESLEY

AUGUST 2

Judy has served the GBC for 20 years in many ministry areas, now as manager of the Support Services Department. As such, she is responsible for maintenance and oversight of the Georgia Baptist Missions and Ministry Center in Duluth. This includes the scheduling of conference and meeting facilities, switchboard, reception, mail services, facility security, building tours, food services and vehicle maintenance. On her special day, Judy asks for prayer that the Support Services staff would be a strong witness to all the vendors and contractors it encounters daily in the overall maintenance of the Missions and Ministry building. Her personal prayer is that we never forget who the building belongs to!

KEN JONES
AUGUST 4
Ken has served as a GBC campus minister since 1982, and ministers to students at North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega and at Gainesville State College. Pray for the Baptist Collegiate Ministries at these campuses as they seek to "disciple students in a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ." Ken believes that the natural outflow of discipling collegians is that they will "gain God's heart for the nations." "Missions is big with us… a responsibility… a privilege... and 'a rite of passage' through which students can 'get over themselves' and be involved in God's global purpose." Pray for the NGCSU BCM leadership team of 44 as each one will be leading a small group discipleship group in the fall. Pray for Ken as he begins a new year of ministry to and with college students.

ALLAN THOMAS

AUGUST 5
Allan also serves the state as a campus minister, and has been on staff for 19 years. He provides spiritual leadership to students at Augusta State University and the Medical College of Georgia. Allan requests prayer that these students will continue to follow God's lead for each day in their lives as the new school year begins. Please pray specifically for the upcoming events: 

• Augusta State and Medical College of Georgia leadership teams’ spiritual growth and focus 
• BCM Welcome Week activities and University Village Move-in Ministry this month

TONY BRANHAM
AUGUST 8

Tony has been on staff for 23 years, and served for many years as campus minister to University of West Georgia college students. He recently relocated to Savannah to serve the campuses of Armstrong Atlantic State University and College of Coastal Georgia. Tony shares the following prayer requests with Georgia Baptists: 

• For continued opportunities to partner with the churches in both the Savannah Baptist Association and the Southeast Baptist Association
• For the development of great relationships with both Christian and non-Christian college students, faculty and staff 
• For BCM students to be totally committed to Christ and His mission for their lives
• For the ministry of the BCM to be completely dependent on the leadership of the Holy Spirit and to respond out of unfailing obedience to everything God wants us to do!
• For lives to be changed
• For ability to balance work and family

Tony also wishes to praise God for:

• The students who accepted Christ this year
• Meeting every need during this transitional year of ministry
• Impact around the world through student summer missionaries
• Health and energy! 
• A new year of ministry!

DAVID KIRKLAND 
AUGUST 10 
David has served the north Georgia area as campus minister since 1996. He currently ministers to students at Truett-McConnell College and Piedmont College. David's birthday prayer requests follow: “August is an extremely busy month in Collegiate Ministries. Pray that I will be able to effectively balance my time between family and BCM ministry. Pray that the BCM leadership teams will create a welcoming atmosphere at our large group gatherings where new students will feel loved and be encouraged in the truth. Pray that the BCM staff will model before the students a vibrant relationship with Christ and an urgency to share Him with those in need.”

TOM CRITES

AUGUST 15

Tom has been on staff for 7 years, serving as specialist in the Research Services area. This office helps local churches by offering demographic information for churches, as well as furnishing specialized mapping, surveys, and community studies. Tom also oversees the compilation and interpretation of the Annual Church Profiles (ACP’s). Please pray for safe travel for Tom as he consults with churches throughout the state.

JOHN TARRER

AUGUST 16

John joined the state missions staff in 2005, and serves in Mission Volunteers Ministries. He works with the Acts 1:8 initiative in Georgia, training associations and congregations on what it means to be Acts 1:8 churches and associations. He also promotes partnership mission opportunities in areas with which the GBC is partnered. Please pray for John as he serves our Lord through Mission Volunteers.

TERESA ROYALL

AUGUST 19

Teresa has been a campus minister in Georgia since 1994, and ministers to students at Georgia State University and Mercer University Atlanta. She asks that Georgia Baptists pray for the outreach efforts of the BCM student leaders as fall semester begins in August. Pray that the student leaders will have a passion for reaching their fellow students for Christ and that college students, American and international, will come to faith in Christ. Pray also for the ministry to develop passionate, genuine, and loving followers of Christ. Teresa expresses gratitude to everyone for their prayers.

PATRICK THOMPSON
AUGUST 25
Patrick joined the state missions staff in 2007 as consultant in the Sunday School/Open Group Ministries area. He is responsible for youth and adult Sunday School. On his birthday, Patrick asks Georgia Baptists to pray for him as preparation begins for next year's VBS and Sunday School training opportunities state-wide.

STEPHEN LILLARD

AUGUST 28

Stephen joined the GBC staff in 2009 and serves as risk manager. His primary mission is to promote a safe working environment while continuing to pursue the GBC’s core mission. Stephen works with GBC insurers and Risk Management Task Force to develop systems and policy that will help employees avoid injury and health problems. His immediate focus and biggest prayer concern is identifying and evaluating workplace risk. Stephen also spent this past year working with GBC camps and conference centers on methods and procedures to keep campers and visitors safe. Please pray for Stephen as he works to make the GBC a safe and healthy place of ministry.

KEVIN WILSON

AUGUST 28

Kevin has served in the Information Services area since 1998. He is currently involved in initiatives that will help Convention staff achieve relevant contact with churches through the efficient use of a database system called GO (GBC Online).  Kevin asks Georgia Baptists to join him in praying that the Information Services staff will be able to effectively help churches, associations, and convention staff in their use of technology. Also pray that Georgia Baptists will find the best methods to reach every generation for Christ.

CHARLES DRUMMOND

AUGUST 29

Charles serves as Regional State Missionary in the East Central Georgia region. He joined the state missions staff in 2005, after many years in the pastorate. He and eight other regional missionaries provide local communication and information from the GBC, as well as specialized service to churches and associations in different areas of the state. Charles requests prayer for pastors and associational missionaries in these East Central Georgia associations: Augusta, Emmanuel, Georgia, Hephzibah, Kilpatrick, Mount Vernon, and Washington.