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The Columbiana Baptist Kindergarten program at the First Baptist Church of Columbiana celebrated its 50th anniversary on Feb. 23. (Reporter photos/Alec Etheredge)

Columbiana Mayor David Mitchell recognized the Columbiana Baptist Kindergarten program with a proclamation. (Reporter photo/Noah Wortham)

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

Sitting in her office at the First Baptist Church of Columbiana, Amy Rush looked down at the seemingly insurmountable stack of papers on her desk. She had just returned to work after a difficult time of personal leave and could not seem to focus.

In a single moment, she stands up and decides that she need to get out of the office and take a short drive to check on her students who had just taken a field trip to the local post office.

As she pulls up alongside the sidewalk and rolls her window down, the students marching in a single file line behind their teacher immediately stop and seeing a familiar friendly face begin to scream, “Miss Amy!”

Rush could barely park her car before she was immediately surrounded with an avalanche of hugs from the students in the Columbiana Baptist Kindergarten program.

As the students excitedly gathered together beneath her like a flock of chicks, Rush thinks to herself, “This is the Lord’s gift to me.”

“When I’m having a difficult day, he sent these little children to hug me, and it was such a ministry to me,” Rush said. ”I don’t know why I of all people get to do this job, but I thank the Lord every day I get to do it.”

Establishing a ministry

In the mid ‘70s, FBCC Pastor Charles Stroud Saw that there was a great need for the establishment of a larger children’s ministry in Columbiana.

“My understanding was that the pastor felt led to do this,” Rush said.

The First Baptist Church of Columbiana had a small children’s ministry at the time and programs such as Vacation Bible School but Stroud decided to explore the possibility of extending their reach to help the surrounding area.

He began to work with prominent members of the church and established a kindergarten committee. Surveys were then sent out to measure public interest in a more concrete program.

“Our kindergarten committee is researching to determine whether or not a kindergarten ministry is feasible for this fall,” read a bulletin at the time. “The program is for 5-year-olds. It will be three hours a day.”

The results of those surveys and public feedback led to the establishment of Columbiana Baptist Kindergarten, which first opened its doors in September 1975 at 208 North Main Street. The program’s humble beginnings offered services for 42 children in its inaugural year. Now, the program services more than 90 children for ages three months to 5 years.

“I’ve had so many people tell me there is such a great need in the community for this kind of ministry to babies,” Rush said. “The impact on this community is vital and I hope that the children who come out of here are as prepared as you can be at that young age to face the things that they will face.”

The program now has approximately 17 employees with teachers, substitutes and cleaning workers. CBK offers an array of classes with designations for nursery, toddler, 2K, 3K and 4K age groups. Rush said they intend to add another unit by the end of March—bringing the total number of students to close to 100.

“It’s exciting because you see where there’s a need for people and I feel like this was just kind of where God was leading us,” Rush said.

Now in her second year directing the program, Rush stands on the backs of generations of directors who have endeavored to keep the program going for the benefit of students. Rush finds the role to be a special opportunity as someone who previously taught at CBK as a 3K teacher.

“I’ve seen it on both sides of the coin,” Rush said before she began to get teary eyed. “I never knew that this would be where the Lord would bring me, but it’s been the best thing that’s ever happened.”

Eternal impact

The Columbiana Baptist Kindergarten program at the FBCC officially celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sunday, Feb. 23 with staff members old and new joining together to recognize the major milestone.

Shy children on the stage darted their eyes about nervously while the young extroverts waved and shouted lyrics to visitors and members of FBCC with ecstatic deliveries of “I’m Gonna Sing, Sing, Sing” and “This Little Light of Mine” during the celebration.

State Rep. Corley Ellis joined in the celebration and delivered proclamations on behalf of Gov. Kay Ivey and the House of Representatives recognizing CBK for its years of service.

“We give honor for the abiding Christian commitment of those who in faith began the work, who have given so unselfishly to help the work thrive and who have provided service where the need was great,” read Ivey’s proclamation. “It is a privilege to be able to extend commendations to Columbiana Baptist Kindergarten and First Baptist Church of Columbiana on their 50th anniversary of Columbiana Baptist Kindergarten.”

While taking in the moment onstage, Ellis discussed the importance of the program to young children and reflected on the opportunity it gives to those who may not have learned about Christianity otherwise.

“Where my mind goes and where the celebration is to me is not the kids that would have entered the doors of this church or another church anyway, it’s those kids who may not have had the opportunity to feel God’s love or get God’s word from somewhere else,” Ellis said. “It may be the only time they experience that.”

During the celebration, Minster of Worship and Senior adults Charles Powell shared with the crowd a proclamation from Columbiana Mayor David Mitchell recognizing the program reaching 50 years.

“Columbiana Baptist Kindergarten has continued to faithfully teach and share the love of Christ over these years with thousands of students and families through its dedicated directors, teachers and staff,” read Mitchell’s proclamation.

Past directors and family representatives stood before the crowd and were recognized for the many years of service that have made the CBK program possible and able to influence generations of children in Shelby County.

“Almost every director of the 50-year history is standing before you or is represented by a loved one,” Rush said at the celebration. “What an incredible privilege it is to stand with them and honor the work that they did to the glory of God to continue the legacy of CBK.”

As the Columbiana Baptist Kindergarten program pushes past its golden anniversary, Rush reflects on the collective work that staff have brought about over the years and the lasting legacy it will have on generations of children in Shelby County for years to come.

“The lasting impact and legacy that is left from every director that stepped foot in this door, from every teacher that stepped in this door—I don’t know that we’ll ever know this side of heaven the eternal impact but I know that there has to be a great one,” Rush said. 

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