(The following article was written at the conclusion of a long-standing relationship with one of our local newspapers, The Atmore News, as they came to the final edition of their publication. It was the final article of their Faith and Values section.)

Change is inevitable, is usually difficult, and often sad. It is never easy to say, “goodbye,” and it seems the words are never adequate. I know the folks at this newspaper have struggled as they put this final edition together.

I count it a privilege to have written in this column from time to time over the past few years. I want to thank the staff…my friends…at the Atmore News for having given me this platform, which I have considered to be an extension of my personal ministry and the ministry of First Baptist Church of Atmore. I pray that it has, in some small way, helped someone in our community.

This section is called “Faith and Values.” As I sat to write for this, the final column of its type for the Atmore News, I began to ponder what it means to have a column of this title. I believe it expresses an innate need among the fine people of our community to hope in something that is beyond one person yet is personal. For a community to bind together, there must be something to which we bind. Even if every reader and every member of our community is not a believer, the standard, succinct Christian definition of “faith” is “reliance upon and trust in God.”

Personal faith is a saving agent. Corporate faith is a bonding agent. As each of us understands faith in the deep South, we agree that the word “faith” refers to having received grace through faith, (reliance and trust in), Jesus Christ. As we corporately bind together, we seek God’s best for one another and for others. This truth is important as a community. I will miss writing for the faith and values section of this paper. I believe our community contains many, many people who share the faith in Christ, come together in faith with one another, and seek God’s best for others. I believe this is a good thing and is powerful in a community like ours.

A community is known for its values. Sociologists express values as the beliefs that a group of peoples share concerning those things that are important both to individuals and to a group. Values can be implied or stated directly, and they help us decide what is good, bad, wrong, or right. They are based on beliefs and matters of faith, and they drive our ethics or moral principles. Values inform our choices and ethics help us make choices in moral ways.

It is important that our community hear from our ministers and others in matters of faith and values. Atmore and our surrounding area, like many other areas, need these voices to be heard to help us in our shared journey. I appreciate having been allowed to be heard. I appreciate hearing the other voices who have been heard through this column.

Here is the final portion of my final contribution during this July fourth week. As we celebrate our nation’s independence, let our faith and values be known well. There is a greater independence. The New Testament declares that men left to themselves cannot defeat sin. Our world proves this time and time again. Whenever we desire to do good, evil has the ability to overpower us. In Romans 7, the Apostle Paul describes that that we cannot do the good we wish to do. For those that know Him, Jesus set free. Because of His work, sin’s power is broken. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).

Our community needs this freedom. Our young people need this freedom. It is our responsibility to maintain and share our faith and values with those around us, within our homes, attending our schools, surrounding our ball fields, and everywhere we live.

As we go through this week and beyond, there will be many opportunities to prove who we are or disprove what we believe. I want to encourage each of us to not only prove who we are but whose we are. For those who have a relationship with God are called to live it.

Friends, love one another. Look out for each other and the less fortunate among us. Teach the ways of the Lord to the younger generation. Hold on to our faith and values. Thank you for being Atmore.

Dr. Kevin Garrett has served over thirty years in music, student, recreation, education, and pastoral ministry. He has written youth and adult curricula for LifeWay Christian Resources and is passionate about helping people grow spiritually and lead healthy churches. With a heart for church vision and generational engagement, he holds degrees from Jacksonville State University (BS, MA) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv, DMin) specializing in church health and next generation ministries. Kevin and his wife, Tina, serve as pastors of First Baptist Church of Atmore, AL, and enjoy time with their children—Geoffrey and Sydney, Nelson and Brooke—and grandchildren, Jaden, Ariel, and Elise. To learn more, visit his website.

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Books by Dr. Kevin Garrett: