Profile of Don Beck, Deacon at Triad Baptist Church

Meet the Deacons Profile Series: Don Beck, Head of Down Reach

Don Beck

Editor's Note: This is the first of a regular series of profiles about the deacons who oversee Triad's ministries and operations.

Connections: How did you become a Triad member and deacon?

Beck: It started when Pastor Rob was the guest speaker in chapel at our daughter Megan's Christian school. She came home and said how much she enjoyed his teaching. Her friends from school who were members invited her to activities and a service or two as well and she came home and said, 'Mom and dad, you have got to visit Triad Baptist sometime. You would love the church and Pastor Rob's messages.' So we visited one Sunday evening in December 2001. My wife, Karen, and I didn't say a word to each other during the service. When we got to the car, we both looked at each other and said, 'We would love it here!' That was it. We knew the Lord would have us to be at Triad. In a few weeks, we began the First Step class. Even before First Step was over, I contacted Richard Johnston and began serving as an usher. Karen and I got as involved in as many service opportunities as we could. Pastor Rob contacted me after we were members for a year and asked if I would be willing to serve as a deacon.

Connections: What are your responsibilities as a deacon and member of the church's Executive Leadership Team?

Beck: I am the ELT Down Reach Chair over the Executive Discipleship Team. The ELT is the church's Executive Leadership Team, consisting of the Senior Pastor (Pastor Rob), the Executive Pastor – Office/Staff (Tim Gerber), an Executive Facilitator (a deacon), and five other deacons. A deacon’s term on the ELT varies. The term is usually for one or two years out of a deacon’s overall three-year term. As Down Reach Chair, I oversee the ministries that teach, educate, and train others within Triad Baptist Church. Their purpose is to instruct and mentor new converts, provide flock care to members and to train and equip fellow believers to point other lives to Christ. The team includes deacons Grady Ayers and Scott Williams and a third deacon yet to be determined. Scott and Grady work directly with ministry and team leaders to advance the goals of the ministries and teams they're responsible for. Scott and Grady meet with me if a matter or problem arises that needs the direction or approval of the ELT. Our Executive Discipleship Team's responsibilities include:

Assimilation (Grady Ayers): New Convert Class; Assimilation; Ladies' Mentor Team and Men’s Mentor team;
Flock Care (Scott Williams): Teacher Care; Outreach care; Greeter Care; Social Care; Tele Care; Prayer Care; Pastoral Care; Assimilator Care; and Mentor Care;
Small Group (TBD): Website Team/ Teacher Training; Evangelism Training; Sunday School Curriculum; Library/Bookstore; Small Groups.

Connections: What have you learned about Triad through your experience as a deacon that you didn't know before?

Beck: Until I became a deacon, I didn't realize all the 'behind the scenes' effort that goes into all our different ministries. That includes prayerfully considering the leadership for each ministry and making certain that Biblical doctrine is followed and all have a strong Biblical foundation. It's not that I didn't know leadership and doctrine were important. It's the volume of leaders and helpers that are needed for the numerous ministries at TBC. I also learned that there is great satisfaction in seeing a ministry touch lives for the glory of Christ. The Women’s and Men’s mentoring programs have strengthened many new converts walk with the Lord. Folks that have been saved for years have also been strengthened through the mentoring programs. The Sunday Night Websites and our Sunday School Communities involve scores of TBC members committed to educating and encouraging others to touch a life for Christ. It’s a great joy to see fellow believers being involved in serving Christ through prayer, witnessing, mentoring, counseling, and comforting both the lost and the saved.

Photo of Karen and Don Beck

Karen and Don Beck

Connections: How do you see your service as a deacon helping Triad fulfill its mission of pointing lives toward Christ?

Beck: If I properly fulfill my role as a deacon, I free up Pastor Rob and the rest of the pastoral staff to commit themselves more fully to prayer and the duties they have as ministers of the Word of God. I have a responsibility to pray and tell others about Christ but also take care of some of the "serving tables" kind of work that is talked about in Acts 6:1-7. Some examples would be working with the deacons and ministry leaders to solve issues that are part of the day-to-day operation of a ministry. This includes where they will meet, managing the ministry budget, personnel problems within a particular ministry; and other issues that don’t require using our pastor’s valuable time. There may be spiritual matters that come to light that I or I and another deacon can resolve without directly involving Pastor Rob. Also, if I can provide support and leadership for the ministries under my care, that will better enable them to point lives toward Christ, too.

Connections: What do you consider some of Triad's biggest challenges and opportunities in the years ahead?

Beck: I think one of our main challenges is seeing growth in our lives as Christians and that, as we grow, we'll realize the responsibility we individually have to be a witness and commit our time and money to the ministries at TBC to reach others for Christ. There are many ministries at TBC that are growing at a rapid pace (Upward, AWANA, the ushers and many others) that need leaders and workers now and in the future. Our prime opportunity is using those committed believers that are willing to serve and give because we have tremendous ministry opportunities to reach our community and the world for Christ. Triad Baptist Church has opportunities now for you to serve. For example, you can e-mail Richard Johnston at rjohnston318@earthlink.net to serve as an usher. Being an usher is great entry into ministry at TBC. The Lord has blessed us immensely with our pastor and staff, our family of believers, and our facilities. Please consider which ministry you will take part in now.

Connections: Tell us a little about your family and some of the other ministries you and your family have been involved in at Triad.

Beck: My wife, Karen, sings in the choir, is a member of the Voices of Praise singing group, sings in a trio with our two daughters; helps in the nursery, and helps in the Heritage Sunday School class. Our daughter Melissa sings in the choir, is involved in her Sunday School class, participates in dramas at TBC and works in the nursery. Melissa’s husband, Jeremy, is involved in his Sunday School class, works with the Forerunners group for young men and is on the security team at TBC. Our daughter Megan sings in the choir, is on the Emergency Response Team at TBC; participates in dramas at TBC and is involved in her Sunday School class. Megan’s husband, Michael, is on the security team at TBC, works with the Forerunners group for young men, and is involved with his Sunday School class. I’m very proud of their involvement and desire to serve Christ.

Connections: How did you become a Christian?

Beck: When I was six years old I accepted Christ as my Savior while in a Sunday School class at Calvary Baptist Church in Clymer, Pa. The class was taught by Mrs. Siegworth, the pastor’s wife.

Connections: Looking back over your life, who has had the biggest influence on your faith and why?

Beck: I'd say my parents, pastors, wife and friends have made the biggest difference in my life:

My Mom and Dad: I especially remember in my teenage years how my dad showed his commitment to the Lord through working on our church buses as a driver and mechanic. He even drove the youth on a bus to Winter Camp at Word of Life camp in Schroon Lake, N.Y. I had the privilege of serving alongside my dad as a deacon at our church in Pennsylvania.
Pastors: I’ve been very blessed to have sat under the teaching and preaching of very doctrinally sound pastors over the years. They have had a profound influence on my growth as a Christian.
My wife, Karen: As a loving, caring Christian woman, Karen has a way of keeping me on the right path when my male ego tends to carry me down the wrong path. She is my partner in life and for life.
Christian Friends: Both here and in Pennsylvania I have been strengthened and encouraged by friends that sharpen me in my walk with Christ.

Connections: You run your own insurance agency with Karen. How do you live out your faith at work?

Beck: By being honest in every dealing. Treating others as Christ would want me to treat them. Praying for wisdom and guidance from the Lord to run the business. Looking for opportunities to tell others about Christ.

Connections: Thanks, Don. On the lighter side, complete this sentence. A perfect day for me is ...

Beck: ...waking up to a big, hot breakfast prepared by Karen; turning on ESPN to discover that Penn State has won the national championship for the 10th time under JoePa and that the Steelers have won the Super Bowl for their 20th Super Bowl ring. Now that would be a perfect day!