Alma Hunt

Between 450 and 500 persons came to sing, laugh, get serious and eat! There wasn't a dull moment from midmorning to early afternoon.

Congregational singing was joined by specials from the associational Senior Adult Choir, quartets, ensembles, and a brass band during the lunch hour.

A unique musical selection served as the benediction for the morning service. Written by Linda Chandler-Rhodes, a member of First Church, Durham, was titled "Praise the Lord" and sung to the tune of "Edelweiss" which was popularized from the "Sound of Music."

Pattie Lingafelt and Miriam Davis served as organist and pianist respectively.

Steve Spangler, host pastor, welcomed the group and led in the invocation. Chris Gaynor of Homestead Heights Church, led in a hymn medley with the words printed on sheets distributed to the audience.

Chandler-Rhodes did the theme interpretation by presenting 16 different persons who symbolized the various areas of volunteer work in missions done by the seniors. Many considered it the most impressive moment of the service!

"We'll work 'till Jesus comes, or until the task is done," she said.

John E. Saunders, director of mission for Yates Association, posed as a radio disc jockey/announcer to work with others in presenting an "Infomercial." Facts were supplemented with fun, including that of Rosie Hampton who kept calling Saunders "Sonny." Hampton celebrated her 81st birthday that day.

Later in the program, Norman Stallings, Braggtown Church, led in another hymn medley. Augusta Hockaday, First Church, Durham, led in a responsive reading and Vernon Browning, Immanuel Church, gave a "Prime Time Testimony."

Jim Littman, First Church, Hillsborough, led in a season of prayer.

The centerpiece for the program was the beloved Alma Hunt, retired executive director of Woman's Missionary Union, Auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention.

"I'm at the height of my popularity," Hunt quipped. "I'm the nearest thing to a 100-year-old WMU has," said the missions leader who turned 88 on Oct. 5.

Hunt expressed her gratitude for the kindness of people in Yates Association who drove to Roanoke, Va., to get her the day before the meeting and would take her home in the afternoon.

"For me, this meeting has already been going on 24 hours." She praised the volunteer program and "commended the men who were present in the meeting.

"Just because I didn't get one, doesn't mean I don't love men," Hunt said to congregation which roared with laughter.

Focusing on missions, as she always does, Hunt cited Matthew T. Yates, the first Southern Baptist missionary to China (1847) and for whom Yates Association is named, as an example of ability, commitment, and effectiveness on the mission field.

"Today, China is one of the fastest growing areas for Christian service and we must remember the seeds planted there 150 years ago by Yates," Hunt said.

"Thank the Lord for the opportunities this day affords. Each day I give thanks to the Lord for His blessings, and nothing I could give you today is equal to what you have given me."

Hunt's address was a combination of scripture references and experiences she has known across the years with such persons as Baker James and Eloise Cauthen and Herschel H. Hobbs. The Cauthens served as missionaries in China before he was head of the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board) and Hobbs was president of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the best loved/known pastor/teacher/writer in the SBC.

The seniors of Yates Association will meet again in November at the Yates Church and will be led by David Moore of the Baptist Building staff at Cary.

Meetings for 1998 include one in February, May, September (Prime Time V) and November.