Testimony of Pastor Tony Haefs

Born October 21, 1948 in Appleton, Wisconsin, I was the seventh of nine children. Shortly after the twins were born (just 11 months after my birth), my mother became very ill. Upon her doctor's advice, we moved to Texas to a warmer climate. One year later, my mom passed away following a difficult battle with cancer. My dad, who was 36 at the time, found himself unable to care for his nine children (5 boys and 4 girls ranging in age from 11 months to 12 years), so he placed us in the Waco Methodist Children's Home in Waco, Texas. Because the home placed a limit on my dad’s visits to see us, he began looking for another home for us where he would have unlimited visits. On March 31, 1953 he placed us in the Corsicana State Orphans Home in Corsicana, Texas where I remained until I was almost 20 years old.

During my years in the state home, I learned very quickly how to fend for myself. I developed a bad attitude and did not trust adults at all. My first exposure to the "outside world" came through an invitation from the First Baptist Church inviting all 300 orphans to attend Sunday School and morning worship services. I had a difficult time comprehending God's love when all around me there was such a lack of it. I remember walking the aisle of the church at the age of nine after a visiting preacher spoke on hell. I was so scared that I did everything they told me to do…I walked the aisle, I talked with the preacher, I prayed a prayer, I joined the church and I got baptized. From that day until shortly after my twenty-eighth birthday, I believed I was saved and going to heaven.

Upon leaving the children's home, I entered Baylor University where I graduated with a BS degree in English and Physical Education. After graduating, I began teaching and coaching in Sweeny, Texas, fulfilling a lifelong dream. It was there I met my wife, Teri, and we were married on September 1, 1973.

We moved to Longview, Texas in 1977 where I continued to teach and coach. It was there I came to truly know Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord of my life. A short time later, I felt the Lord calling me into full-time ministry. I taught and coached one more year, then worked in the oil fields while waiting for the Lord to open a door in ministry.

I began serving on staff at the First Baptist Church in Paris, Texas in January 1980 as their Minister of Activities. As I grew in the Lord, he graciously opened the door for me to also serve in the area of pastoral care. In March 1986, our family moved to Albany, Ga. where I served on staff at Sherwood Baptist Church for 15 years. I first served as their Minister of Activities and later as their full-time Minister of Pastoral Care. In 1999, I began to sense the Lord leading me to assume the role of lead Pastor. After two years of praying, the Lord called me to serve the faith family of Gillionville Baptist Church as their pastor and shepherd.

The time at GBC has been the most exciting years of ministry for my entire family. We have been on this faith-walk journey for 10 years now, and I thank the Lord for the wonderful opportunity of serving him through GBC here in Albany, Georgia. My greatest desire is to see the Lord glorified through the ministry of our faith family and through my personal life, as well. Above all, I pray our church will love each other and minister to those in our family, our community and around the world.