Norman Archibald

I was raised in the Church of Christ by a godly Mother and Father who modeled for me the Christian life. As a college student at the A&M Church of Christ, I was encouraged to become a Campus Minister. I worked in this role for five years. I completed a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology and Masters degree in Bible and Ministry from ACU. Both of these have equipped me for my journey.

I have always considered myself a teacher whowants to challenge each of us to reach out to others and share our faith with those who do not know Him. For my walk, I was shown the way of an elder by my Father, Luther Archibald, who served my home congregation for over 35 years.

Today my faith is stronger than it has ever been. My prayer life has given me the ability to ask God for things that I had never before asked. My ministry today is best summed up in the word encouragement. I want to go to heaven and want all of us to be there.

Shepherds have always led sheep and not herded them. To be an elder is to want to lead God's people to abundant living. This means I will lead by my example so people will follow me as I follow Christ. I want people to follow what I do and not just what I say.

When one leads he is out front showing the way. The responsibility of each and every member mustbe ut most in my mind. No one can be left behind. This will require much listening as I try to know and understand what every member needs. It will require much prayer on behalf of each member and family before the throne of God. We must encourage each member so his or her walk is a walk with Jesus that leads to heaven.

The Highland church as a family of believers has a great history of serving God in Abilene. We are poised to reach out to the community of Abilene like we have never done before. When each member feels empowered to be involved in a ministry, we will all be working together to expand the cause of Christ in Abilene. We will use our diversity to give us strength to reach out to all people.

The Highland church is continuing to grow in their faith in Jesus Christ. We must continue to feed each and every member with the truths of the Word. We have so many self-sacrificing people who are daily turning everything over to Him. We cannot help but reach Abilene with the love of the Lord when we are filled with a desire to have everyone know of His grace.

We will call each other to ministry and service and to be Jesus in everything we do. When each member is doing their part, the whole body of believers will grow together to be the light of the world - a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden.