Ingleside Church R2

THE POWER AND
PRESENCE OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT
by Kari Dobson
I started attending Ingleside in September of 2012. As a non-believer with little to no church background, I came to Ingleside at the invitation of a friend. After consistently attending the Sunday morning worship services, I accepted Christ on December 19, 2012, and was baptized by Pastor Tim in March of 2013.
When I re ect on the last seven years I have been at Ingleside, one of the rst experiences I remember is that Sunday in September—September 30, 2012, to be exact. Attending at the invitation of my friend, I had no expectations from that visit and simply thought I would come and leave and that would be it. But God had a different plan—a plan that, looking back, was sovereignly knit together over years of circumstances for me to be at Ingleside on that Sunday.
When I arrived at Ingleside that morning, I met my friend and was introduced to two of the College/Young Adult Sunday Bible Study teachers. I then entered the Worship Center and sat in the lower section of the Worship Center on the right side with those same two leaders and their class. I remember that during the entire service, I had tears in my eyes—during the music and the sermon about the biblical principles of tithing taught by Pastor Tim. At that time, I did not know why I cried the entire service, but looking back, I now do. It was the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in that room and working in my heart. I don’t remember the rest of that day, but it was the beginning of a new life in Christ for me.
I am thankful that, at Ingleside, we welcome the presence of our Lord by heartfelt worship through music and through the Word. By God’s grace, and through the faithful teaching of the Scriptures by our pastor and friend, Tim McCoy, hearts are changed and lives are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit—even in a sermon about tithing.
Kari Dobson has been a member of Ingleside since 2013 and has served in a number of ministries, including Preschool, Middle School, Worship Arts, and Missions.
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A WILLING SERVANT OF GOD
by Myrja Fuller
Jeremiah 3:15 (NKJV) records, “And I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” I am so thankful for the shepherd that God blessed me with in the person of Dr. Tim McCoy. Week by week, he provides knowledge through his sermons and “A Chapter a Day.” I look forward to reading “A Chapter a Day,” along with the commentary that provides greater clarity on how to apply the Scripture to my daily life. As a true teacher, there are times that Pastor Tim provides additional study aids along with his commentary, such as pictures, diagrams, movie clips, or songs in order to provide his students a greater understanding of God’s Word. I can truly say that by investing in this habit of studying the Word of God, I am being transformed by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2, paraphrased)!
Pastor Tim has also provided knowledge and understanding through spiritual guidance. At every appointment that I have ever had with him, he always begins with seeking the Lord’s guidance through prayer. He then thoroughly listens and offers his suggestion through a biblical lens, as well as his own life experiences. I never feel rushed or that my issues are insigni cant, but I walk away feeling that I have received wise counsel. I sincerely believe that Pastor Tim watches over my soul!
According to Titus 1:6–9, Dr. McCoy is quali ed to be the pastor of Ingleside. He is blameless and the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of dissipation or insubordination. He is blameless as a steward of God, not self- willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, to both exhort and convict those who contradict.
A few of these pastoral traits really resonate with me as I think of our pastor. Hospitable comes to mind rst. Usually, my name is dif cult for most to pronounce, but Tim got it correct at our initial introduction, and he never forgot my name. Anytime that I have a friend to visit Ingleside, he always goes the extra mile of making them feel welcomed. Not only that, I have had friends to tell me that they saw him outside of church, and he remembered their name! He truly shepherds the ock of God, which is among him (cf. I Peter 5:2). Our pastor teaches sound doctrine that exhorts and convicts. Even during these times when some people will not endure sound doctrine and turn their ears away from the truth, Pastor Tim continues to be ready to boldly preach the Word of God in and out of season.
I want to close with this thought from Scripture found in 1 Timothy 3:5 (NKJV): “For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?” I cannot say enough about Tim’s wife, Beverly, as well as their daughters, Meredith and Molly. They are hospitable, virtuous women who are examples to many! There is so much more I could say about Tim and his family, but I will sum it up by saying what I think our Lord will one day say to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:23, NKJV).
Myrja Fuller is married to Eric, and they have been members of Ingleside since April 2007. She and her family are actively involved with the Welcome Team, Women’s Ministry, Missions Ministry, and Small Group Bible Study. They love being members of Ingleside and think that it is a model church.
50 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF FAITHFUL MINISTRY


MORE THAN ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE
by Bobby Gore
Who could have imagined all the things God would do over the next 30 years when Tim and Beverly McCoy came to Ingleside? Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) says it best: “more than all we ask or imagine.” Dr. Ralph Newton was chairman of the search committee and said his friend, Leighton Ford with the Billy Graham organization, told him to check out this young evangelist he knew. It was obvious to our search team that, despite his youth and inexperience, Tim was the man God had prepared for Ingleside. Ingleside would be Tim’s rst and only pastorate for the next 30 years.
As soon as Tim came, we saw an increase in attendance and baptisms. From the beginning, Tim’s leadership, administrative, and communication skills were apparent and a bonus to his ability to boldly preach the gospel. His leadership style was to include all segments of the church in deciding the future plans for the church. He often says that, “people are down on what they are not up on.” One of the rst things Tim did was to establish a long-range planning committee. This was an inclusive group that spent many hours praying and seeking God’s direction for Ingleside. This effort formed the basis for the church growth for the next 30 years.
Ingleside had historically had a traditional worship style with a Deacon/committee-led management approach. Tim knew that for us to achieve all that God had planned, changes had to be made. He also knew that unity in the church body was critical and that it would take time and effort for change to occur. Tim patiently worked through the existing structure and built a staff to help with the growing membership needs. He also worked with the Deacons and church leaders to make the changes needed for our expanding ministries. Through it all, Tim’s emphasis was on evangelizing the lost and reaching the next generation.
It was during one of those late-night planning meetings that Mrs. Veada Fultz told us the education building was on re. That was Tim’s rst construction project, repairing the re damage and expanding the Kitchen/Fellowship Hall area. The rst major new building Tim proposed was the Preschool, Children, and Family Life Center. Tim led the fundraising and design effort and oversaw the building construction. The building was completed and paid for shortly after opening.
As the membership grew, Tim led the church in changes to support the ministries. With town meetings, sermons, and working with lay leaders, he worked diligently to maintain unity in the body. Changes like different worship times, Bible Study class times, and class structure can cause con ict in churches. I recall one of our older ladies telling me that she was not happy about her class changes, but if Dr. McCoy thought it would increase baptisms, she was all for it! Over time, he led our church to move to its current structure.
Under Tim’s pastorate, Ingleside has maintained a leadership role in Georgia in baptisms, missions giving, and membership growth.
I had the opportunity to work closely with Tim as a lay member remodeling the Kitchen, building the Children’s Building, remodeling the Chapel stage, repairing the Chapel’s broken ceiling trusses, and chairing the new Worship Center construction team. For one year as Interim Business Administrator, my of ce was next to Tim’s. I worked closely with him and can testify he is the same person you see from the pulpit. No matter the challenge, he faces it with compassion and integrity.
We have been truly blessed to have Tim and Beverly at Ingleside, and we look forward to many more years to come.
Bobby Gore has been a member of Ingleside since 1979. He is married to Linda, and their two children, Russell and Carol, were raised and baptized at Ingleside. They have two grandchildren, Kate and Sam. Bobby has served as a Deacon, on the Overseer Board, on various committees, in Student ministry, and has led mission teams to Venezuela.
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Ruth Brady
former Ingleside Weekday Preschool Director
My time at Ingleside, spanning the last 27 years, has been life-changing. Not only was I able to bene t from Tim’s passion for speaking the truth Sunday by Sunday, but as a staff member, I witnessed him gather the right groups of people together at just the right time to accomplish God’s plan. He has the heart of a teacher and the spirit of a father, never belittling, and always listening. His honesty has always propelled me to growth. Tim’s ministry has been a blessing, not only for Ingleside, but also for all of Macon.
Lindsay Acocella
former Ingleside Executive Assistant to the Lead Pastor
I came to Ingleside as a college student, and moved away 18 years later as a wife and mother of four. The time I spent growing under Dr. McCoy’s teaching and leadership, and the seven years I had the privilege of serving by his side on the Ingleside staff, shaped me into the woman and leader I am today. No other single life experience has impacted me more towards a love for the Word, a passion for the local church, and an unwavering pursuit to serve the Lord than has the opportunity of having Tim McCoy as my pastor, mentor, and friend.
Todd Lafferty
Executive Vice-President/Chief Operating Of cer, International Mission Board
We have enjoyed partnering with many pastors and churches through the years. Ingleside, under the leadership of Dr. McCoy, has been one of the bright, shining stars of partners! His humble spirit, passion for the nations, and in-depth teaching and preaching from the Word has encouraged, fed, and enriched the lives of countless missionaries and has made an impact on the nations. Congratulations, Dr. McCoy, on 30 years of faithful and fruitful service at Ingleside! We look forward to a continuing partnership with Ingleside under his visionary leadership.
52 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF FAITHFUL MINISTRY


Bruce A. Ware
Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Pastor McCoy and I struck up a warm friendship when he was on campus at SBTS for Board meetings. I shared with him that my father had been born and raised in Fort Valley, Georgia, and that led to an amazing and glorious series of rich conversations and eventual friendship. I love Tim’s warmth, heart for God, love for the Word of God, love for his people, and his faithfulness in living and preaching God’s Word in clear and compelling ways. I’ve had the distinct privilege of joining you at Ingleside for a conference on theology and have seen rst-hand the robust ministries of your church. I rejoice with you for the leader and shepherd God has given you in your pastor, Tim McCoy. May God grant him many more years of effective and faithful service.
Danny Akin
President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
What an honor and joy it is for me to congratulate Tim McCoy on his 30th anniversary at Ingleside Baptist Church. When I consider the ministry of Tim McCoy, a number of things immediately pop into my mind. Faithful pastor, consistent evangelist, missionary passion, local church commitment, and love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Re ecting on his ministry also causes me to think both of a faithful husband and a devoted father. I am so very grateful that I can point young ministers at Southeastern Seminary to him, and tell them to go forth in service to our Lord following in his footsteps. It seems with each passing year that the number of role models for young ministers continually decreases. I am so thankful that Tim has maintained a consistent gospel witness at the same church for three decades. How I pray that his tribe will increase exponentially in the years ahead.
I greatly love and respect this brother. He is God’s gift to His church and His kingdom. My prayer is that the Lord will give him many more decades of faithful gospel ministry to King Jesus.
Timothy George
Dean, Beeson Divinity School
Brilliant, affable, energetic—that’s how I remember Tim McCoy when I rst met him in my church history classes at Southern Seminary back in the eighties. I think of him now as a wise, seasoned pastor, a faithful proclaimer of God’s Word, and a tender shepherd of his ock. I consider Tim McCoy a dear friend in the Lord, and I am grateful for the times our paths have crossed, especially at Ingleside and here at Beeson Divinity School, where Tim has served as one of our distinguished visiting professors. May the Lord continue to bless and prosper his ministry in every way— Soli Deo Gloria!
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MEMORIES OF TIM MCCOY
by Ben Hinson
When asked to write memories of one of your dearest friends, for over 30 years now, it is dif cult to boil it down. I would love to share memories of being on the search committee that the Lord used to connect Tim and Beverly with this church family, and especially the joy of having that experience with my brother, Jimmy. As anyone who will listen to me knows, I love to share those memories. However, I realized that every pastor of a church like ours has a story of how the “search committee” found them. Very few have the opportunity of leading and growing with the same body of believers for 30 years. Vicki and I have had the great joy of being here for the entire journey and having a seat up close to see what God has done in and through Tim and Beverly.
The average tenure of pastors in churches like Ingleside is seven to ten years. Experts suggest at this mark, pastors must “reinvent” themselves to remain relevant to their congregation. Tim certainly does not t that mold! He never “reinvents” himself; he constantly grows and changes as God leads. There is never a restart, because he never stops growing and changing!
In most churches, it is sad to say, people really love the church until they begin to see the “inside,” then those people get frustrated about how “things really work.” At Ingleside, clearly due to Tim’s leadership, the exact opposite is true. The more you learn about our church and how it works, the more it pleases you, and this knowledge excites you to get more deeply involved. I have had the chance to be on the Overseer Board several times under Tim’s leadership, and I love seeing joy grow in rst-time members when they really understand how this church works. Many are surprised that everything is completely honest, from spiritual guidance to nances. Nothing is hidden from scrutiny, all people are treated with the highest dignity, and the processes are clearly driven “for our good and for God’s glory!”
I also nd it very interesting and encouraging that Tim has had so many “high pro le” opportunities in his career, but he seems to make efforts for no one to really “be impressed” by them. In 1993, when Dr. Albert Mohler was installed as the new President of the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, two men were asked to preach the sermon. Tim McCoy was one; the other was Billy Graham. Certainly, this was a great honor for Tim to be asked to participate in this, but few people in Macon knew anything about it. From 1994 to 2001, Tim served on the Board of Trustees for the International Mission Board, becoming its Chairman in 2000. This was virtually unknown in Macon, except to the leaders of Ingleside.
After the “Report Service” of a mission trip to Peru, I was deeply led by God to volunteer to do anything Tim asked in this area. Brad Wilson felt the same. Tim met with us the next week, and he asked Brad and me to drive this effort and help him develop foreign missions in our church. For about ten years, we did this, and it was an incredible experience, especially seeing how Tim trusted others to lead. We had full exibility to plan and drive funding for this work. Eventually, a young lady named Lisa Call joined us on a trip to Indonesia, and that led to her feeling led by the Lord to become a missionary. She did, and now she leads our entire Missions Ministry at Ingleside—another example of Tim growing leaders from within. Also of note, on these trips to Indonesia, Tim submitted to my leadership on every detail of the trip, and he led the teaching services. A great trait of a con dent leader is to submit to the people he has appointed to do a job.
There have been many wonderful blessings that God has poured out on our family, but none have been more obvious than the great opportunity to do life with Tim and Beverly McCoy. We have bene ted greatly, as have our children and grandchildren, even now at a distance. Also, churches all around have bene ted from the leadership Tim has shown at Ingleside. Lead on, Brother, and we are con dent that absolutely, “The best is yet to come!”
Ben Hinson has been a member of Ingleside since 1982. He and his wife, Vicki, have two adult children, Brittany and Shae, and ve grandchildren. Ben has served as a Bible study leader for high school students and young adults, as a choir member, as a Deacon and an Overseer, and on national and international mission trips. Ben and Vicki currently lead a small group for nearly and newly married young adults. Ben was the founder and president of Mid Georgia Ambulance Service and is now retired.
54 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF FAITHFUL MINISTRY


COME, GROW, SERVE, GO... MISSION PERU 1995
by Jimmy Hinson
In thinking back over the past 30 years of Dr. McCoy’s leadership as pastor at Ingleside, many signi cant milestones come to mind. One area that stands out to me personally is Dr. McCoy’s passion for supporting global missions efforts. Our rst organized adult team mission trip during his tenure was to Iquitos, Peru, in November 1995. This experience helped plant the seed for a more tangible understanding of the need to physically become part of the Lord’s work across the world.
Each member of the Mission Peru 1995 team brought unique talents and gifts to the experience. As we prepared for the trip, our team met weekly for several months to pray for God’s vision and direction, and Dr. McCoy was right by our side during the planning process. He met with our team and taught us notable techniques for sermon preparation and offered encouragement in the overall mission purpose.
We reached out to Clif Forrester, International Mission Board missionary in Peru, and he responded with a resounding “Yes“ —they would love to host a team from Ingleside. Before long, we had 14 Ingleside members signed up and ready to go: Dr. John Bowman, Dr. Jon Dean, Richard Forrester (Clif’s father and former International Mission Board missionary in Peru), Van Hale, Jimmy Hinson, Mike Leggett, Lea Ellen Patterson, Jim and Sherry Neal, John Story, Hugh and Patti Rader, Dr. Edward Young, and Yvonne Young. Given the makeup of our team, we decided to focus on medical/dental screenings, along with construction work at three local churches.
We felt God’s hand on this trip and our team throughout the entire process. It was a treasured blessing to see just the right mix of members come together for this inaugural missions experience. For example, Dr. Bowman needed an assistant for his dental work. God had already provided four nurses for this trip. One of them was a dental hygienist before she became a nurse, so she stepped right in to work with Dr. Bowman. Additionally, there was initial apprehension among our group of lay leaders to preach sermons, but because of Dr. McCoy’s leadership, the Lord provided us great instruction in message preparation. By the time we landed in Peru, everyone was ready, willing, and expecting to share the gospel and lend a helping hand wherever needed. We experienced great con rmation in knowing that God was going to use the spiritual willingness and physical skills of every member of this team.
Since that rst mission effort in Peru, several of our team members have gone on to experience additional mission opportunities across the world. In fact, Jim and Sherry Neal made the decision to change careers, attend seminary, and become full-time International Mission Board missionaries in Peru. God changed many lives throughout this rst mission trip to Peru, both among our team and the people we served there in Iquitos, Peru.
All in his special timing, I recently received a most unexpected text from Clif Forrester, who is now retired from the mission eld. He had just returned from a visit to Iquitos and mentioned that he went to Dios Me Cambio, appropriately translated as “God Changed Me,” one of the Baptist churches where we served. He sent pictures of the pews we built for this church 24 years ago and enthusiastically claimed that God is at work in Iquitos, Peru, and the effects of our labor there are still being used for his glory today!
Jimmy and Melissa Hinson have been members of Ingleside since 1982. Jimmy has provided leadership in Bible Study classes ranging from birth to adults, AWANA, and Upward Sports programs. He served on the 1989 Pastor Search Committee, is a Deacon, and has served on the Overseer Board several times over the years.
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56 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF FAITHFUL MINISTRY


REFLECTIONS ON
30 YEARS AT INGLESIDE
The phone rang in our seminary apartment 30 years ago, and the caller identi ed himself as Dr. Ralph Newton from Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia. He was a member of a search committee looking for a new pastor.
In the providence of God, that phone conversation was the beginning of a relationship that now spans three decades. It was the rst step on a journey that has de ned the very character of our family, our ministry, and our life.
As Beverly and I re ect on 30 years at Ingleside, our hearts are overwhelmed with gratitude. Like the Psalmist, we gladly confess that the Lord has “dealt bountifully” with us (cf. Psalm 13:6; Psalm 116:7).
At the most personal level, we will always be thankful that our two girls—Meredith and Molly—were born and grew to maturity in the context of a healthy and vibrant family of faith. Many of you helped shape their faith and their character by your words and your example—for that we are deeply grateful.
At a ministry level, we rejoice and give thanks to God “because of your partnership in the gospel from the rst day until now” (Philippians 1:5, ESV). Partners more numerous than we could name have joined us in the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the glory of God. You have worshiped passionately, served faithfully, given generously, shared the gospel boldly, stood for truth un inchingly, loved extravagantly, and believed God’s promises expectantly. Your partnership has honored God and blessed us immensely.
Of course, we all eagerly acknowledge that any spiritual good that has occurred across the years at Ingleside is due to God’s sovereign grace alone...and he gets all the glory!
As we look toward the future, Beverly and I are asking the Lord to “do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” in the next chapters at Ingleside (Ephesians 3:20, ESV). The mission of making disciples will remain the same, but we expect new members to join us, new leaders to be raised up, new ministries to be birthed, and the “next generation” to “set their hope in God” by trusting and following Jesus wholeheartedly (Psalm 78:6–7, ESV). For all who are in Christ, we really do believe that the best is yet to come!
30 years into our journey together, my heart’s desire is that what was said of King David could be said of me: “With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand” (Psalm 78:72, ESV). My ultimate aim remains to please “the chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4).
I count it a great joy and a high privilege to be... Your Pastor and Friend,
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The best is y
e


et to come!






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INGLESIDE BAPTIST CHURCH
834 WIMBISH ROAD • MACON, GA 31210 ingleside.org
WE EXIST TO MAKE DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.