Blackwell keep God at center
When I think about the years that I have worked with “Dr. B.,” laughed with “Dr. B.,” cried with “Dr. B.,” celebrated with “Dr. B.,” stood with “Dr. B.,” and shared a common passion for children with “Dr. B., this scripture comes to mind:
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness, and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 2 Peter 1:5-8
Many staff members have experiences, memories and major moments that involve Dr. Michael C. Blackwell. The very nature of calling our president Dr. B., MCB, Boss Man, Big Kahuna, is a revelation to the love and respect we have for him and that he has from those he leads. He has reached out to us, shared experiences with us, and bonded with us by sharing times of great joy and great sadness.
Thinking back over the years, a great joy comes to my heart as I remember just how he has earned –– not given –– but earned the respect and love of his staff members, the Trustees, the children and families for whom we provide care, and our many, many friends who support Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) across the state.
The day I first met Dr. B. is vividly captured in my memory. I see him entering my office, and just like he does today, he projected an exuberant energy for providing hope and healing, care and compassion for the children and families. Today, he exhibits that great passion in everything he does.
He is a president in touch with those around him. As our relationship grew, he became my mentor, my advocate and my encourager. I would not be where I am today if he had not supported me in every way. Dr. B. saw things in me that I did not see in myself, and it changed my life.
I was at a church one Sunday when he shared how his mother and father’s love of God greatly impacted his life. He spoke on using God’s love to reach out and touch those served at BCH. Truly, he has made the difference in many, many lives. Dr. Blackwell shares hope. From BCH’s staff members to the children we serve, he reaches out to meet needs and change lives.
He is BCH’s spiritual leader. He is there for staff members during sickness, joyous experiences, births, and at the death of loved ones. Dr. Blackwell’s caring phone calls and notes during the illness of my mother meant so much. Not a day passed that he did not reach out to me in some way. On the good days, he laughed with me. On the bad days, he cried with me. On every day, we prayed. When she passed, Dr. B was the first to call and offer his heartfelt condolences.
It truly amazed and humbled me that he took the time out of his busy day to stay in touch. His response to me when I shared my appreciation was that he would always care and he considered that one of his most important responsibilities.
Dr. B has been a president who has faced many obstacles. From the changing times of child care, to the changing of the revenue sources, to the changing times of the day-to day operation, he has embraced change courageously and moved this ministry forward to become the pinnacle of child caring institutions.
“Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control perseverance, and to perseverance godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”
Without Dr. B’s foresight, his faith, his goodness, his knowledge, his perseverance, his brotherly love, his godliness, his kindness, his vision, his strength, his courage, his reliance on God above, we would not be where we are today –– a successful ministry with God at the center of everything we do.
Congratulation, Boss, on a job well done –– a good and faithful servant of God
Help us continue to share the love of Jesus with children and families across North Carolina! Visit www.bchfamily.org/givenow to make your online donation today.