I am excited to join the staff here at First Baptist Greenville. This church has such an amazing team and a rich history of which I am now proud to be a part. Stepping into the role of the Minister of Engaged Aging has such a promising future.
We first learned the term Engaged Aging from the innovative work of Clemson University through their recently established Institute for Engaged Aging, now in partnership with Prisma Heath. According to their research, census estimates predict that the number of adults 65 and older is expected to double to almost 20% of the U.S. population by 2030, and in South Carolina, the percentage will be even greater at 22%. FBG has recognized this coming shift in demographics, and I am looking forward to how I can work with our teams and leaders to better engage this community and better equip them to continue to engage in the areas of life and faith that they love.
I see my initial work unfolding in a few ways. First, I want to devote time to developing relationships and learning people’s stories. The body of Christ is fascinating because it is made up of fascinating people. Everyone brings something to the success and life of our body of faith, and I enjoy discovering how we connect and thrive in this space. This step will be essential for caring for and ministering alongside so many in our congregation. Second, I wish to learn from those who are already leading and serving in this area to support and strengthen the existing ways we currently engage aging. I look forward to teaching in Sunday School classes, taking trips with our Road Runners and Holy Rollers, sharing meals at Lunch and More, and working with the variety of teams and councils that already shape the good work being done. Third, I hope to intentionally strengthen our intergenerational and multigenerational work within our faith family in partnership with our capable staff to deepen our bonds created around Christ’s table. We are better and stronger together. Helping our children, youth and adults of all ages connect to one another is one of the greatest gifts of the Church and part of what we strive to offer at FBG. Finally, I want to look and listen for new ways we might engage deeper into this demographic, expanding our breadth and reach through serving, technology, activities, collaboration, formation and more. There is so much wisdom and life in this age span, and I hope to capitalize on ways to capture more of that and share it with our faith family and beyond. I welcome all ideas and dreams as we work together to lean into what God is doing in our midst.
—Michael McEntrye, Minister of Engaged Aging