Merle Pearson

A Man of Service

Many of us recognize Merle Pearson, moderator of the Ambassador class, as the one who lightens up our Sunday morning moods with a joke or two; but there is a lot more to Merle than this.  He leads us in our opening hymn, and reminds us of various schedules we might otherwise forget. 

Merle was born in Malvern, Ohio, and even though he came from a Christian home, he did not accept Christ as Savior until he was 16 years old.  It took place in the Malvern Methodist Church where he and his family attended.

Merle has lived in Ohio all of his life, except for two years in the military service which took him to Kentucky, Texas, and Indiana.  He attended Malone College here in Ohio.

It was during his high school days that he met Athnee Cole, better known to us as “Tee.”  They were married on June 16, 1956.  The Pearsons have three grown children, none of them living in Ohio at the present time.

Merle and Athnee joined Canton Baptist Temple in 1970.  He has served in a number of capacities: deacon, trustee, song leader, a member of the church choir, for 20 years, a member of the missions committee, and for one year before Pastor Henniger became class teacher, Merle taught the lesson each week.

Today he represents Canton Baptist Temple in the Haven of Rest ministry, and is also active in Forever Young, scheduling and preparing activities for seniors and others.  On occasions, he helps with the church’s busy hospital visitation program.

If class members still wore hats, we would take them off and salute Merle Pearson for his active and often behind-the-scenes role in the work of the Ambassador class of Canton Baptist Temple.

Thanks, Merle!  

The Ambassador Bunch

The Ambassador Bunch

I am glad to be one of "the bunch", aren't you?

Some people mistakenly think of the Ambassador class as a group of “oldsters,” but one look around the chapel-classroom shows a different story.  Most Sundays the crowd will be varied; everyone from a young teen, to people well into their 90’s, and every age in between.  WE ARE A UNIQUE BUNCH!

You will find that we often sit in the same sections, not because we insist they are “our seats,” but because we are creatures of habit, and we seem to be drawn to the same pews every Sunday.   WE ARE A FAITHFUL BUNCH!

When it comes to music, some of us readily admit that most of our talent has slipped away.  Our vibratos have widened considerably, and as for pitch, there is definitely something to be desired.  While we open our hymnbooks, we seldom glance at the words.  We have sung these wonderful songs so often that they have become an indelible part of our memories.  WE ARE A JOYFUL BUNCH!

We do not apologize for the fact that canes and walkers, knee and hip replacements, and pacemakers and defibrillators are vital parts of some of us.  They are blessings, not embarrassments.  They make it possible for us to attend church.  WE ARE A GRATEFUL BUNCH!

Our Bibles and offering envelopes are almost a part of our Sunday wardrobes; they go together.  Shaking hands with people who enter the classroom is a part of our welcoming ministry.  WE ARE A FRIENDLY BUNCH!

We read the prayer requests like a book.  We are deeply concerned as we see new names added regularly.  We pray for those on the list.  WE ARE A CARING BUNCH. 

Yes, we are the Ambassador bunch; unique in our ministry, faithful in our attendance, joyful in our singing and grateful for every blessing.  We are a caring, praying bunch of people who look forward to meeting every week in God’s house.