Editor’s Note: This story first appeared here in Kentucky Today.
ARTEMUS, Ky. (KT) – Pastor Ralph Halcomb’s obedience became a powerful example for First Baptist Church Artemus.
Sarah Watkins, a church member and state WMU board member, had told the congregation that the Annie Armstrong offering had not performed as well as the Lottie Moon and Eliza Broadus offerings. During her presentation, she set a goal of $400 for the church — enough to purchase a portable baptistry for the North American Mission Board.
Halcomb listened and thought to himself, “That’s pitiful.”
“Before I got up to preach, the Lord was telling me to donate the first one (baptistry). I was going to meet the goal (of $400).”
But during his sermon, Halcomb did not mention the planned donation, and after he sat down, he said the Lord continued working on him. He realized that holding onto that gift was going to “kill the spirit. I was not doing what I needed to do.”
So, he stood back up and told the congregation, “In a loving way,” that the church could do better than that, and then announced, “my family is donating the first one, $400.”
As Halcomb continued to speak, another hand went up — another $400.
“I told Sarah ‘There ya go! We doubled that goal in 30 seconds.’”
Watkins, an active worker at the church and a member of the praise team, stood stunned with tears rolling down her cheek.
But First Baptist Church Artemus wasn’t finished. As Halcomb continued speaking, hands began going up rapidly, and before they left the building, a total of $10,000 had been pledged. Halcomb said that wasn’t even the final total. A college group from Union said it would also be donating, and the pastor estimated the grand total would be closer to $12,000.
“There were definitely some hands went up that were doing some sacrificial giving,” the pastor said.
Halcomb said the moment taught both him and the congregation about the importance of being obedient to what God is telling you to do.
“I’m not boasting, but I told them if I had not been obedient to God this morning, none of this would have happened. One little thing you can do to be obedient can set a fire and go wild. It did that morning.”