FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
Baldwins celebrate 20 years serving Tyler Metro Church
BY CAITLIN GIDDENS Contributing reporter

Ray and Nancy Baldwin

In celebration of serving the Tyler Metro Church and the community for 20 years, Ray and Nancy Baldwin held a party July 15 with many of the first children's church kids present to "help remember the good old days."

"When we first came to Tyler Metro Church, Pastor Jerry said he was looking for someone who would stay for the long haul," Ray said. "I remember telling him that our dream and vision was to see children grow to become excited Christian teens, and then to see them become strong adults who will teach and train their children about living for God."

The Baldwins have done just that by creating programs like Stone Fort Encampment.

"We were forking out thousands of dollars for our kids to go to camp and only come back with sunburns and photographs," Ray said. "So we had the idea to spend that money and create a camp that offers adventure and something that the children have never done before, which is exactly what Stone Fort does."

Nancy hopes that Stone Fort is not only a life-changing experience for young people, but also "just plain fun."

"We help kids have safe, unbiased fun," she said. "That's what we hope for in all our programs, to teach kids something but also guard their childlike playfulness."

Several years ago Ray and Nancy received the Texas Teacher's Association's "Friend of Education" award for their program Much to Do About Reading where every week they read or tell stories to second and third graders from East Texas.

"I hated school when I was a kid in England," Ray said. "So it's ironic that I'm teaching children that 'if you can read you can do anything.' We hoped to help create a love of books in the kids and teach them how to learn and love to read rather than sitting in front of the TV."

But Ray admits that he can't take all the credit for the suc- cess of these programs, he always partners with his wife Nancy.

"My wife and I have done everything together," he said. "She's a fast-witted, quick person who thinks of everything."

Also refusing to take full credit, Nancy describes her husband as "the life of each program."

"Raymond had a difficult childhood, so he can relate to the children and help them realize what they can be," she said. "We tell them to dream big. And he is the dream."

The duo has also worked in the community to help feed the needy at Christmastime by directing the Whitehouse Community Project Joy for 15 years.

"Project Joy was one of the first projects we got involved in once we moved to Whitehouse," Ray said. "I get a kick out of seeing kids work together to help those less fortunate. Project Joy gives us a chance to show care and compassion, which is what Christmas really should be about."

Nancy agrees wholeheartedly, referring to their saying "change the world just one child at a time."

"Through Project Joy we get the satisfaction of making a difference and helping little people who feel hopeless," she said. "We teach them that no situation is too desperate that there isn't hope somewhere."

In addition to reaching out in the community, the Baldwins created the program StrikeForce in which children minister all around the world.

"Members of StrikeForce have traveled as far as Australia, Russia, England and Mexico," Ray said. "Many of these kids have grown to become missionaries, teachers, lawyers, district attorneys, doctors, several are serving in the military in Iraq and around the world, and thankfully some have gone on to become children's pastors. I've always said that the only thing that keeps you back is your own imagination."