Mrs. Beatrice (Bea) Olson was baptized at the age of 14 by a student minister. She recalls him traveling down to Lexington just on Sundays but he was an important part of their lives. He held classes to teach youth about accepting Jesus Christ as their personal savior. Her sister, who was two years older than her also accepted Christ and they were baptized together. Ms. Bea said that Minister Alan Goss was a good minister who had a significant impact on her faith journey.
Mrs. Bea shared that because she is saved, she has hope and faith that this life here on earth is not the end. Having God in her life has given her meaning of why she is alive because Jesus always watches over her; everything she does and everything she says. She tries to be a good example to others by being kind and good.
God has been very important in her life. She trusts God and prays to Him every day and He answers, otherwise she would be on her own. He provided solace during some of the most difficult times in her life. If it had not been for her faith in God, and the great comfort she found in the bible, she would not have made it through the death of her husband in 2002.
Mrs. Bea said since she has been sick and unable to attend church services regularly in person like she used to do, she has been reading the bible daily; a chapter from the Old Testament and a chapter from the New Testament. Mrs. Bea has read the bible in its entirety at least twice.
Mrs. Bea is 101 years old and has been on this journey a long time. She has been a member of First Baptist Church (FBC) of Bloomington since 1945. She served as treasurer, worked in the kitchen, helped with the LOGOs program and was an active member of American Baptist Women (ABW) ministry. Mrs. Bea is an inspiration to many and we are blessed to have her in our lives and as a member of our FBC family.
