Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds

Surprises, love of Christ on display at NAMB SEND Luncheon 

  • June 15, 2021
  • Shawn Hendricks
  • Latest News, SBC, SBC 2021

Surprises, love of Christ on display at NAMB SEND Luncheon 

Even with his face covered by a mask, it was clear that Zach Lloyd couldn’t contain his emotions Monday when he discovered months of medical bills and other out of pocket medical expenses had been “paid in full” following a near-death experience with COVID-19. 

Lloyd, a Tennessee bivocational pastor from Lafollette Baptist Church, was among a variety of surprises and testimonies shared during the NAMB Send Luncheon in Nashville. 

During the event, North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell announced that former college football coach Mark Richt will be the national spokesman for Send Relief. The announcement was followed by retired Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden surprising his former assistant coach on stage. 

Both men embraced and shared stories about their faith and longtime friendship. Bowden, who is an outspoken Christian, emphasized the importance of being bold with the message of Christ. “If we don’t talk about Jesus how is the world going to know,” he said. 

Ezell went on to share how Pastor Sam Greer of Red Bank Baptist Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee, reached out to the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board to find a pastor they could help. Executive Director Randy Davis recommended Lloyd, who at the time was a patient at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. During Lloyd’s ordeal, he ended up needing a double lung transplant and spent nine months in the hospital.

For several months, Greer shared, the church helped Lloyd’s family cover their mortgage payments.

While on the platform, Lloyd received unexpected news from the Vanderbilt medical team that his bills had also been covered, as well as receiving a check from Davis and Ezell to help cover other out-of-pocket medical expenses. In addition, expenses will be covered to replace the family’s vehicle that has racked up thousands of miles from months of trips to the hospital.  To top off the gift, the Atlanta Braves fan received free tickets to a game and access to batting practice. The bivocational pastor continues to receive  transplant treatments — one of which is scheduled for this Wednesday.

Relationships help make these types of outreach efforts possible, Davis said.

“Great kingdom work cannot be done without relationships,” Davis said. “It’s all about relationships, good relationships.” 

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Providing more than meals, meeting ‘critical’ need
    Providing more than meals, meeting ‘critical’ need
    July 14, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for July 20
    Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for July 20
    July 14, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Fulani herdsmen kill, kidnap Christians in Kaduna State, Nigeria
    Fulani herdsmen kill, kidnap Christians in Kaduna State, Nigeria
    July 14, 2025/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Providing more than meals, meeting ‘critical’ need

For nine years, First Baptist Church in Portland has run a summer feeding program that does more than fill empty stomachs.

Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for July 20

Here’s the Bible Studies for Life Sunday School lesson commentary for July 20, written by Bobby McKay, pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi.

Fulani herdsmen kill, kidnap Christians in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Fulani herdsmen attacked two villages in Kaduna state, Nigeria, July 7, killing two Christians and wounding three others, after terrorizing villagers in another area in June, International-Morning Star News reported.

Texas flooding update: Baptist relief teams, churches continue to ‘walk alongside’ hurting

Baptist relief teams hit the ground running Monday (July 14) after a rough weekend of  heavy rains and flash flood warnings in Central Texas that

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2025 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel