The book MIRACLES HAPPEN WHEN PEOPLE PRAY AND GOD STEPS IN reveals its secrets in the title. Against many odds including an incredible lack of money, a tiny Southern Baptist mission in a low-income area of Gainesville, Florida, becomes a remarkable beacon of success in the high-growth side of town. The book raises huge questions and answers as to how the mission outgrew its sponsor's dreams in a journey of 65 years led by two visionary pastors: a feisty ambitious pastor named Gene Keith and his totally dedicated son, Dr. Bill Keith of Otter Creek, and Gainesville.
How can a young enthusiastic, but na ve pastor fulfills his vision for a Christian school at a time when he has a zero budget for expansion, no education in school-building, no teachers, no curriculum, no books? And what if, at a critical time of growth, the church that gave birth to the school faces devastating losses due to a historic Florida hurricane? How miracles came to play amidst enormous needs many times over is answered in this collection of brief stories of steely ambition and courageous faithfulness of praying people.
The book captures the trials and triumphs of church life over the busy lifetime of its founding pastor, who remains active in the church today as its Pastor Emeritus. Thanks to the long and ongoing leadership of Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Keith, Countryside Baptist Church in Northwest Gainesville is now homebase for a rapidly growing regional ministry that includes a sister church in the nearby town of Hawthorne; three successful Christian schools and a fourth school now under development in Hawthorne, plus a huge commitment to local, state, and global missionary services. Caring for the hungry and the needy of every description is part of the bloodstream of this thriving enterprise dedicated to the glory of God. Dr. Keith says, "The history of Countryside illustrates how a miraculous God uses ordinary people to achieve extraordinary results."
