Tammy Lawson
My name is Tammy Lawson and I am the Asst. Children’s Director. I have been at ISBC for 13 years. I grew up here in Bryant and still live in my families home place. I have a wonderful husband, Chuck, who serves in the KiDS ministry also. He is such a wonderful guy. He has put up with me and my family for 31 plus years. We have an amazing son, Allen and his beautiful wife Ashley who have our terrific grandsons, Joshua-6 and Joseph-4 and our only granddaughter Jordyn who is such a precious little girl. She will be 2 in November. We have a wonderful daughter, Dallas, who has our sweet grandson Drake who will be 2 in June. Can you imagine two, two year olds? This will make for interesting holidays. And our precious Cowboy who is a Yorkshire Terrier who loves us unconditionally.
I grew up with an awesome family with a strong bond of love, respect, and faith. My dad is a retired police detective from Little Rock, who has always been my hero. I have always thought that daddy could fix anything. I remember when there was a big case and Geraldo came and interviewed my daddy and put him on T.V. We were so proud of him. Also, he was in a True Detective magazine. We thought he was a movie star. My wonderful mom has always been the backbone of our family. She has always been there for me. Once when I was sixteen, I went on a trip with a friend and her parents to Branson. I was fine until they asked if I wanted to call and let my family know I was okay. We were standing outside the restrooms and they called and got them on the phone as soon as I heard my mom’s voice I started bawling. People were coming out of the bathroom offering Kleenex and hugging me. It was so embarrassing. I love my mom! She is a very talented piano player. I wish I would have stayed with my lessons, but I hated it. I grew up with two sisters and a brother. My oldest sister works as an Office Manager in Little Rock. My brother took after my dad. He is a detective also. A lot of people at our church don’t realize we are brother and sister. My younger sister was a radio operator at the Benton police station.
My parents surrounded us with God fearing people or people who had good morals when we were growing up. Of course, we are not perfect and I’ve made enough wrong decisions in my time but for the most part we have tried to do what’s right in God’s eyes. I became a believer January 17, 1970 at Hurricane Lake Baptist Church. I knew I had a call on my life at an early age. I just wish I had known what that was sooner than later in my life. I love the KiDS ministry here at ISBC and the freedom we have to go out of the box to show the kids that Jesus loves them right where they are in their lives. Watching them come to know Christ is the most amazing experience I know.
I work with some extreme people who love God and love kids. Sherri Richards is the most positive person I know. She is so funny. We can all be tired and about to call it quits, and she comes up with the most unique and caring excuses for us to keep on keepin’ on. I love that about her.
If you have never worked for a visionary you really need to give it a try. It can be very challenging but it so rewarding. Lisa Kanai is a visionary. God can show her things that are so out of this world and she can put them in action. It may take us going to Timbuktoo to get it but the results are so amazing! She has taught me so very much over the years. Like how to be a real friend, how to handle a child who is being disorderly, how to witness to a child, how to laugh when you feel like crying and some of her many sayings, “It is what it is!”, or “You’re stronger than you think.” She is truly an incredible leader.
So you see my job is really not a job it is like home. I am very blessed to say I am a small part of such an awesome ministry. And I just wanted to make copies. Wow! What a ride it is!!! To God be the Glory!!!