Second Stan Wilkins benefit May 10

Scott Wilkins

Stan Wilkins had grown fond of his Harley-Davidson Road King Classic prior to his death in November of 2006. A scholarship in honor of Wilkins and his widow, Gail, currently assists students at the North Georgia extension of New Orleans Seminary.

CARTERSVILLE — Gail Wilkins, the widow of longtime Georgia Baptist pastor Stan Wilkins, says her husband would be thrilled that two of his greatest passions now work together to spread the gospel.

On May 10 motorcycle and car enthusiasts will come together at Cartersville First Baptist Church for the 2nd annual memorial ride and car show in Wilkins’ honor. Money raised from the event will go to provide scholarship assistance for students at the North Georgia extension of New Orleans Seminary.

Wilkins was interim pastor at First Baptist when he died Nov. 29, 2006 from head injuries sustained in a fall at home. A graduate of New Orleans Seminary, he taught several years at the school’s North Georgia Campus in Atlanta and served for a time as interim director. Prior to his death he had also taken to riding a Harley-Davidson Road King Classic.

“The scholarship represents more to me than just money to take classes,” said Keith Louthan, currently pursuing a Master of Divinity in Biblical Languages. “I entered [seminary] in the fall of 2003 broken and unsure after running from God for nearly two years. Dr. Wilkins was my first professor and made knowing names a priority.

“He made a very strong personal investment of interest in my life. Over the next three years he taught me in another course and we had many a sit-down at McDonald’s where he provided guidance and encouragement. I see the scholarship as a continuation of his ministry to me.”

Mike Woodham never met Wilkins, but is benefiting from the relationships Wilkins made in 36 years of ministry. Woodham, pastor of Ivey Baptist Church 11 miles southwest of Milledgeville, is the other recipient of the Stan and Gail Wilkins Scholarship Fund. May 6 marked the one-year anniversary of preaching his first sermon has pastor at Ivey.

“I started thinking seriously about seminary as a pastor in Alabama,” he said. “I wanted to get a better education to provide for my family and be a more effective minister.”

Woodham began taking classes through the New Orleans extension center in Graceville, Fla., toward a Master of Divinity degree before accepting the position at the Georgia church.

Two passions

“Every year I’d apply for scholarships to help out with finances,” said Woodham, who has two young daughters with his wife of eight years, Amy. “Without this one it would be a lot tighter around the house with things like groceries. It’s taken a lot of the burden off of us. I know I can get a good education because people give to this scholarship.”

Last year the ride cleared $15,000, said Gail Wilkins. “The scholarship acts as an endowment with only the interest earned going to students,” she explained. “The more money in the fund, the more interest earned and the more scholarships given.

“I’m very excited about the ride,” she added. “Through a hobby Stan loved very much, we are able to raise money to help young men and women who are going into the ministry get an education, something he was more than passionate about.”

In addition to his role at First Baptist, Wilkins was also the director of the Davis Ministry Center at Shorter College at the time of his death. He previously served as director of missions for Bartow Baptist Association and as pastor of New Hope Baptist in Bartow County and New Salem Baptist in his hometown of Kennesaw.

Registration for the event will begin at 8 a.m. at First Baptist Church. A $25 charge is administered to each rider and additional $10 for passengers. The entry fee includes a meal and T-shirt.

Registration for the car and bike show begins at 10 a.m. with the show ending at 3 p.m. A $25 entry fee includes meal, T-shirt, and dash plaque. Participants may register online at www.cartersvillefirst.net. Donations can also be made online through PayPal.