Husband to Annette | Father to three practically perfect children |Love the cross of Christ | Saved only by grace | bow hunt whitetail deer
Hi, my name is Stanley Dallas Givens
The truth is, I'm really just a simple country boy born and raised in a small town in South Alabama. I was named Stanley after my doctor, who had come to the hospital on that Christmas Day in 1960, and Dallas after my father. I was raised in part by Rachel Maples, one of the godliest grandmothers anyone could ask for, by my loving mother Lavada, and by two wonderful brothers.
I was never really strong academically, but I survived a Christian elementary school (where I met Jesus), a military preparatory school (where I met evil) and a four-year Bible college and a bunch of state college classes. Throughout all of this, God blessed me with some amazing realities. They look spectacular on a resume, but as I write them now, I find myself greatly humbled and brought to tears by the grace of God in my life.
I've been married to Annette Hathaway Givens for over 30 years and I do not deserve her. I have three kids who love and serve God and who care about their faith despite my involvement in their lives. I shepherd Northside Bible Church -- an amazing group of Christians and families and after over 15 years, they continue to allow me to serve there. Prior to Northside, I served for 14 years as a college & career pastor in Birmingham, Alabama to some of the most amazing students anyone could ever shepherd. My life has been enriched by them to this day.
I spent 14 summers traveling to the mountains of Transylvania, Romania to share the message of the cross of Christ with some amazing students. I preached in a village church here that was founded in the 1700's. In Oradea, Romania, I sat in the home of Viskey Ference and listened to his stories of faith. He was tortured for his faith under Nicolas Ceausescu for over 20 years. Viskey ministered in our camps every summer.
I have met and shared ministry ideas with pastors in Angeltok, Uganda -- a place that I like to describe as the literal end of the world.
The truth is, I'm really just a simple country boy born and raised in a small town in South Alabama. I was named Stanley after my doctor, who had come to the hospital on that Christmas Day in 1960, and Dallas after my father. I was raised in part by Rachel Maples, one of the godliest grandmothers anyone could ask for, by my loving mother Lavada, and by two wonderful brothers.
I was never really strong academically, but I survived a Christian elementary school (where I met Jesus), a military preparatory school (where I met evil) and a four-year Bible college and a bunch of state college classes. Throughout all of this, God blessed me with some amazing realities. They look spectacular on a resume, but as I write them now, I find myself greatly humbled and brought to tears by the grace of God in my life.
I've been married to Annette Hathaway Givens for over 30 years and I do not deserve her. I have three kids who love and serve God and who care about their faith despite my involvement in their lives. I shepherd Northside Bible Church -- an amazing group of Christians and families and after over 15 years, they continue to allow me to serve there. Prior to Northside, I served for 14 years as a college & career pastor in Birmingham, Alabama to some of the most amazing students anyone could ever shepherd. My life has been enriched by them to this day.
I spent 14 summers traveling to the mountains of Transylvania, Romania to share the message of the cross of Christ with some amazing students. I preached in a village church here that was founded in the 1700's. In Oradea, Romania, I sat in the home of Viskey Ference and listened to his stories of faith. He was tortured for his faith under Nicolas Ceausescu for over 20 years. Viskey ministered in our camps every summer.
I have met and shared ministry ideas with pastors in Angeltok, Uganda -- a place that I like to describe as the literal end of the world.
I have taught and helped build churches and homes in the Dominican Republic. I am personal friends with several amazing missionaries who know the meaning of sacrifice at the highest levels. Missionaries truly are the heroes of our culture.
I have been blessed to teach every year at Camp Eunice, a student ministry camp located smack in the middle of Roberta, Georgia's e-i-e-i-o zip code. I've seen God move in spectacular ways here.
Through my Northside church family, I was able to help 12 families rebuild their lives and homes after the devastation wrought upon Mississippi and the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina.
I have officiated over 60 weddings for some of the most wonderful couples. Some of those wedding memories bring a smile to my face even now.
Throughout all of this -- friendships, family, church -- I've seen miracles that can only be explained by the grace of God, who loves me in spite of me.
I do not deserve any of these and the thousands of other blessings that I have and continue to receive. But I do believe in grace. And grace is the reason that I can even write these stories. Also, I strongly believe that the greatest thing a person can do is to be fully devoted to the cross of Christ that set you free from your past, present and future sins. I believe that embracing the cross daily and loving the cross and the promises of Christ will make life worth living for anyone.
So, this blog, from an average "C" student, country boy from a little town in South Alabama is meant to exalt the cross and give God all the credit that is due Him. I hope and pray that you consider making God the center of your life and that you continue to grow closer to Him.
I have been blessed to teach every year at Camp Eunice, a student ministry camp located smack in the middle of Roberta, Georgia's e-i-e-i-o zip code. I've seen God move in spectacular ways here.
Through my Northside church family, I was able to help 12 families rebuild their lives and homes after the devastation wrought upon Mississippi and the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina.
I have officiated over 60 weddings for some of the most wonderful couples. Some of those wedding memories bring a smile to my face even now.
Throughout all of this -- friendships, family, church -- I've seen miracles that can only be explained by the grace of God, who loves me in spite of me.
I do not deserve any of these and the thousands of other blessings that I have and continue to receive. But I do believe in grace. And grace is the reason that I can even write these stories. Also, I strongly believe that the greatest thing a person can do is to be fully devoted to the cross of Christ that set you free from your past, present and future sins. I believe that embracing the cross daily and loving the cross and the promises of Christ will make life worth living for anyone.
So, this blog, from an average "C" student, country boy from a little town in South Alabama is meant to exalt the cross and give God all the credit that is due Him. I hope and pray that you consider making God the center of your life and that you continue to grow closer to Him.