VINTON–Lynn Haven Baptist Church named their Christian activities facility the “Bob and Lois Wayne Christian Activities Building” at a dedication ceremony on March 13. A plaque now honors Dr. Robert Wayne and remembers his wife Lois and their enormous contributions to the church and community.
The church bulletin from March 13 says, “Thank you, Dr. Wayne, for all your years of service, not only here, but in every place of ministry you have been called.”
It goes on to say that, “Under Dr. Wayne’s leadership this building was truly designed as a ‘Christian’ Activities Building.”
The building incorporates the areas known as the multipurpose room (gym), the kitchen, small dining rooms, several Sunday School rooms, and the Welcome Center.
Dr. Wayne served as pastor of Lynn Haven from years 1979 until 1993. During his tenure, the activities building was envisioned and then presented at a church business meeting in 1984. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised during a “Together We Build” campaign. Construction was completed and the building was dedicated in January 1990.
Interim Pastor Mark Oblinger called the building a “legacy of faithfulness” by the Waynes. He said the plaque to be hung on the building will let everyone know of “their contribution to the life of this church.”
Oblinger has been busy in the past month leading celebrations at the church. First there was a ribbon-cutting on Feb. 28 observing the completion of extensive renovations to the Student and Preschool Center, followed by the building naming this week.
Prior to the ceremony on March 13, the focus of his sermon was on legacies. He asked those in attendance to think about whether they spend time thinking about what their own legacies will be and whether they are living intentionally to form the legacy for which they will be remembered. He told the congregation that they only control people have over their legacies is “how we live our lives here on earth—the investment we make in our faith.”
He read from the book of Hebrews about the Old Testament “Giants of Faith,” like Moses, Abraham, and Noah who are remembered because they stepped out blindly in faith. They are remembered not for wealth or power, but for their acts of faithfulness. He spoke of the words of Jesus advising followers to store up treasures in heaven and not on earth as their legacies.
The naming ceremony was led by Bill Corbitt, who was Chairman of the Deacons and Chairman of the Building Committee when the facility was built. He and his wife Rita were co-chairs of the “Together We Build” campaign which raised the initial $400,000 for construction.
Corbitt told the congregation and guests that the Christian activities building was envisioned as a way for Lynn Haven not only to serve their own members, but to reach out to the community and draw others in.
“The building has been in use for 26 years and has brought many to Christ,” said Corbitt. “I challenge you to keep it busy.”
Corbitt described Lois Wayne as “the perfect pastor’s wife,” who loved and supported her husband wherever he was called to serve, and served in her own capacity at each stop along the way.
They were married on May 15, 1953. She followed him without complaint to wherever he was called, saying “if He’s calling you, He’s calling me,” and quietly became involved in each location.
Lois Wayne was much loved by everyone who knew her. In his recent autobiography, ’Moses’ Speaks to His Grandchildren,” Wayne joked that every time he was called to another position, the church or organization he was leaving said, “You can leave, but leave Lois here.”
Lois Wayne passed away in July 2015.
One chapter of his book covers the time he spent as pastor at Lynn Haven.
In 1993 Dr. Wayne and his wife left Lynn Haven when they were called to serve in Richmond at the Baptist General Association of Virginia. After retiring from the BGAV, the Waynes retired to the Vinton area where he served as interim pastor for many churches, including Lynn Haven and Vinton Baptist, and others in Lynchburg and Roanoke. He also served as the director of the Roanoke Valley Baptist Association and as a supply minister in many area churches.
Dr. Wayne was honored by being named Pastor Emeritus of Lynn Haven.
Members of the Wayne family, former pastors of Lynn Haven, and members of Vinton Baptist Church attended the building naming ceremony.
“Thank you for the way you loved us and cared for us,” said Wayne.
