By Laura Lee Leathers
The First Baptist Madison Cancer Ministry leadership team poses with items that are placed in care packages for each cancer patient. Back, from left: Frank Montgomery, Bill Spence, Walter DeLoach and Steve Morris. Front, from left: Ministry founder Albert Archie, Freddie Montgomery, Jackie Fairly, and Kim Morris
The Gaithers wrote a song called “God Loves to Talk to Little Boys When They’re Fishing.” They should consider writing a song about how God loves to talk to men when they’re sitting in a deer stand.
Even though Albert Archie loves to sing, he would rather share about a certain morning when he was in a deer stand. It was a solemn moment as he pondered his new title: widower. Valerie, his wife of 52 years, had passed on July 26, 2023, from cancer.
In the beauty of nature, God spoke to Albert’s heart about starting a cancer ministry. His retirement was being redefined.
It would take six months of praying, meeting with area hospitals, researching, and drawing from his personal experiences. Not only did his wife have the dreaded disease, but so did he and their daughter. She is a breast cancer survivor. From their family experiences, God birthed the ministry.
The growth of the ministry
Albert shared the ministry concept with Kiely Young, congregational care and senior adult pastor at First Baptist Madison. On April 3, 2024, Kiely brought Albert nine new names and told him that Dr. Breck Ladd had approved the ministry.
The ministry concept was shared with the Bible Fellowship Classes. Soon, Albert had members volunteering and donating. Reflecting, he shared:
One of the remarkable things is the evidence that God was leading this endeavor from the beginning. Today, eight members serve on the leadership team, along with 10 other members who are participants in ministering to the church cancer members and their families. The participants in this ministry are Jesus’ hands and feet to the cancer sufferers.
The key training component of each (volunteer) participant is their individual or family’s struggle with this terrible disease. We have walked the path other members are trying to negotiate.
Support and care packages
Every cancer patient served by the ministry receives a care package containing a handmade individualized stuffed animal and other items. Pictured are the “Lion of Judah” (pink) and “James”
The cancer ministry volunteers, some of whom are current cancer patients themselves, offer spiritual, emotional, and physical support. The patient is covered with prayer and encouraged to be in the scriptures as much as possible. Emotionally, there is encouragement, cards mailed, and being there to hold a hand or provide a shoulder to cry on. Physically, patients are assisted in getting oncology appointments. When necessary, meals are provided, as well as home and yard maintenance.
Additionally, every cancer patient receives a care package. It consists of a canvas bag with a love blanket made by church members, three motivational books, a handmade individualized stuffed animal, and a special card created by a lady in the church.
Cancer survivor John Piper wrote a pamphlet called “Don’t Waste Your Cancer.” In it, Piper shares 11 principles. Albert says number 11 is his favorite: “We waste our cancer if we fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.” The book is in the bag.
The stuffed animals in the care package are made by Albert’s sister-in-law, Ann Dillard. The Lion of Judah is a favorite with the patients.
Offering support and hope
The goal of the First Baptist Madison Cancer Ministry is “to follow God’s leadership in ministering to all cancer church members and their families diagnosed with this awful disease. Because of the success of this church ministry, one specific 2025 goal will be to assist other churches which God is leading to establish a similar cancer ministry,” states Albert.
For more information about incorporating a cancer ministry in your church, call Albert at 769-232-0799 or email him at albertarchie@att.net. He or a team member is available to speak at your church.
Laura Lee Leathers is a writer and speaker. Imagine Lois Lane, over 65, living on a farm. Her metropolis is the area of freelance writing. Her primary love interest is the Word of God. She digs for information, interviews fascinating people, offers a cup of biblical hospitali-tea, encourages, and helps others with the how-to’s of life. Visit LauraLeeLeathers.com.