Friday, March 7, 2003
Friday, March 7, 2003 |
| Peachtree
City's senior pastor is stepping down and will be missed
By DAVID EPPS One of the patriarchs of Peachtree City has stepped down and I will miss him. I first met Don Smith in 1983 at a minister's breakfast at the old Riggins Barbecue near Tyrone. I can't recall who invited me but, as the newest pastor in the town, it was an opportunity to get to know the established ministers. It was there that I met the pastor of First Presbyterian Church and discovered that, in a real sense, he was to become the senior pastor of modern Peachtree City. In October of 1964, a non-denominational church formed in Peachtree City, becoming the first organized congregation in the city. Rev. Cobby White, pastor of Fayette Presbyterian Church presided over the unaffiliated congregation where members of all denominations gathered to worship. In 1966, the church decided to become a member congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) with thirteen charter families. The Reverend Harry Furgerson followed White at Fayette Presbyterian and continued the tradition of pastoring both congregations. When Furgerson accepted a call in another state, the congregation of 25 members decided to search for a pastor they could call their own. Don Smith, a young minister serving several area college campuses, was living in Peachtree City. With the approval of the Atlanta Presbytery, the church called the young Smith to be its first full-time pastor and, in June 1969, he was installed. He is the only full-time senior pastor First Presbyterian Church has ever had. By June of 1971, a multipurpose building was being erected and, in 1980, and educational building was added. In 1980, a library was included in the expansion and refurbishing of the sanctuary. By 1990, the church had added another building, new administrative offices, a choir room, a kitchen, fellowship hall, new library, a youth activity room, and the sanctuary had been expanded and refurbished yet again. Not all that long ago, an impressive new sanctuary was constructed, making First Presbyterian Church one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Under the leadership of Dr. Don Smith (somehow he found time to complete a doctor of ministry program), the once small community church with a handful of people has grown into a large Presbyterian congregation. And since 1969, Don Smith has grown from a young campus minister to one of the most respected and influential men in Peachtree City. On February 28, 2003, The Reverend Doctor Donald W. Smith retired as the senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church. It will be hard to imagine a First Pres without Don. It will seem quite odd to attend the Community Good Friday Services that have been held for some 22 years in Peachtree City and not hear Don preach. When I arrived in Peachtree City nearly 20 years ago, it was as the 32-year-old pastor of a church of 76 members of a 4-year-old congregation. I'm sure he didn't know it, but Don became a role model and a "sort of" mentor for me. I say "sort of" because he knew nothing about it. I simply watched him, and a couple of other pastors in town, and tried to learn how to navigate the community and attempted to gain some insight on serving as a pastor in this unique and diverse city. Don was always gracious when I asked questions and treated me as an equal even though our church was a fraction of the size of First Presbyterian. Even when I left my previous denomination to plant a new church, Don was supportive and encouraging. Don Smith was, and is, a hero to me. He continually demonstrated faithfulness, steadiness, persistence, vision, and leadership. The record of First Presbyterian is one of consistent growth and accomplishment. There has never been, for Don, a "resting on his laurels." He completed the course, he ran the race, he kept the faith, and he set the standard for many of us who came along a bit later. Don "finished well." God bless you, Don, and thank you for your kindness and counsel over the last many years. You made a difference. [David Epps is rector of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church, which meets at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Ga. Highway 34 between Peachtree City and Newnan. He can be reached at FatherDavidEpps@aol.com and at www.ctkcec.org.] |