Half a century of hope: First Baptist Jackson’s ESL Ministry marks 50 years of transforming lives

By Lindsey Carraway
Writing Specialist

First Baptist Church, Jackson (FBJ), is celebrating 50 years of its English as a Second Language (ESL) ministry this year. From the faithful women who started it all, to the devoted team who continue to teach and serve with full hearts, the ESL ministry has seen many students come and go, ready to communicate more confidently in an English-centered culture. 

Even greater, the ministry has seen men and women surrender their lives to Jesus, the Savior of the world. 

Recently, a group of FBJ ESL volunteers attended the State Literacy Missions and Christian Job Corps Conference at Garaywa Camp & Conference Center July 31-August. A variety of practical and informative workshops paved the way for literacy missions ministries like the one at FBJ to further build toward transformative results in the lives of their students and participants.

From reluctance to compassion

Sandra Yarbrough, ESL volunteer and retired English teacher, looked back on how God brought her from reluctance to serve to compassion for the ministry in a single moment. 

In 2012, Yarbrough had narrowed her busy schedule down to one part-time job when fellow FBJ member Martha Stockstill “tracked her down” to talk over coffee. Yarbrough, concerned the caffeine would cause her to accept anything, reluctantly agreed to meet. She knew exactly what would be asked of her: to teach in the ESL ministry.

Until a replacement could be found, Yarbrough agreed to teach the writing class. As soon as she entered the classroom, however, the warm smiles of her students captivated her instantly. Fourteen years later, she still loves serving her “family.”

“I knew the very first day, when my students were just smiling at me, that God had given this to me as a ministry,” said Yarbrough.

From students to translators

Angela and Gee-Wei Lee, now members of FBJ, were once students of the ESL ministry themselves. Now they support the class with transportation and translation, and wherever else help is needed. 

Since retiring, Angela, whose second language is English, feels she is both a servant and still a student in the ministry. The class gives her an opportunity to continue improving her English while also being a place to pour into people, especially the older Chinese men and women who temporarily move to the area to help raise their grandchildren. Most arrive knowing little to no English, so Angela enjoys serving as a translator to help connect them to the class. Many times, if the men and women return to the U.S. again, they also return to the ESL class and to the friends they made. 

“When they come to live with family here, they are by themselves and can only communicate with family members,” Angela noted. “But once they come to ESL, they learn some English, they have a chance to visit other Chinese about their same age, and they have a similar background. So it’s a very good thing for them to do. They look forward to it.”

From loss to starting over

Fern Hedglin could not see herself pouring into a ministry after her husband, Jerry, passed away in 2022. His death, following a long illness, had taken a toll on her. She wanted and looked for a purpose after the pain, but her own physical condition made travel and public events inconvenient. She was afraid to leave her comfort zone. 

“When you go from ‘we’ to ‘me,’ you have to start over,” said Fern. “You can’t cling to what was. I stay in tune with God’s leadership because, as outgoing as I am, I don’t like new things. He helps me get out of that comfort zone.”

After finding her way into a Bible study at FBJ, Fern ran into church member Nancy Burke. Burke invited Fern, a retired elementary school teacher, to help with the ESL ministry. Although the pain of grief and her physical condition remained, Fern knew this was the next step God had for her.

“You can’t wait for one problem to be fixed before starting something new,” she commented. “That’s not the way life is. That problem is coming with you, but you keep moving forward with God.”

Fern’s natural instincts as a teacher kicked in immediately, and she encourages anyone who joins an ESL ministry to just be themselves and let God do the rest. 

Your gifts to the Margaret Lackey State Offering help support literacy missions ministries across the state, including training at the annual State Literacy Missions and Christian Job Corps Conference. For more information about the offering and to order free promotional resources, visit www.margaretlackey.com.