Jerry Vines Blog
Flakes Formula. Guinell Freeman. You may not have heard of Flakes formula. It was the standard used by thousands of Southern Baptist churches to build Sunday Schools that became the envy of the Christian world.
I would not expect many to know about that these days. But, Guinell Freeman? If you haven't heard of her, you have missed out on knowing one of the finest, most elegant Christian ladies of our generation. She went home to be with her beloved Lord Jesus this week, at the age of 83.
Guinell Freeman was Educational Director of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida for forty years. God used her to build one of the largest Sunday Schools and Christian discipleship ministries in the nation. And, oh yes, she followed Flakes Formula.
Guinell never married. She literally gave her life to the Lord and His work at First Baptist, Jacksonville. On many, many occasions when I would be returning at night from a preaching engagement, I would go by the church and find Guinell still there, working.
Dr. Homer Lindsay, Sr., brought her to Jacksonville right out of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In those years she, and her fellow staff member, Fran Hawk, were required to make and give a written report on 50 visits per week. You read that right. Not per year. Not per month. Per week!
It was a sight to behold to watch her work with her lady directors. I lovingly called them "Guinell's Guerillas." She led them into battle for the Lord. You'd best not get in their way!
Ms. Freeman was not only a dedicated servant, she was an elegant Christian lady. Always impeccably dressed, she epitomized what a Christian woman should be. She dearly loved Janet and me, and our children. We dearly loved her.
I believe Guinell Freeman will be listed as one of our Southern Baptist "greats" alongside Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong, and a host of unnamed and unsung "Marthas and Marys" who have made the Southern Baptist Convention what it has been and I pray what it shall continue to be.
Goodbye for now, Guinell. We'll have a great time in Heaven, shouting on the hills of glory.
Flakes Formula? Probably won't see that in Heaven.
Guinell Freeman? Don't miss out on seeing her!
Bobbie Unkefer
December 21, 2011 @ 7:26 PMDear Dr. Vines,
Thanks for sharing this tribute to Guinell...no one could have said it more beautifully.
I was Dr. Lindsay, Sr.'s secretary when Guinell came to First Baptist. She was an elegant vision the Sunday she was introduced to the church...in her dark red suit and hat to match!
I was also visitation secretary...and the one who counted the staff's visits and compiled the list totals each week to be given to Dr. Lindsay!
Guinell taught me so very much and I count it one of my greatest treasures to have worked with her, but also to have known her as my friend!
Pray things are going well with you and Janet...God Bless and Merry Christmas!
Bobbie Unkefer
Faye Rambo
December 22, 2011 @ 6:37 AMHow blessed Richard and I have been to serve our LORD JESUS along side of great role models. Guinell was a sweet and wonderful lady that took me places I would never have gone had it not been for her committement to my spiritual growth. She guided me through many hard times with a smile and many words of encouragement! She was still speaking those words of encouragement in my ear until the end. She spoke words that was heard in my soul. I loved Guinell and count it a great priviledge to have followed her leadership. She always had a new challenge for me, pushing me out of my comfort zone."Just Do It" was her reply to most everything since she believed GOD was in control and I was to obey GOD. I have many sweet memories of a very Godly Lady and I will miss her greatly. My heart rejoices, as she is in the very presence of the ONE whom she served so faithfully. Thank you JESUS for the priviledge of serving with my friend and mentor, Guinell, for these many years.
Thank you Dr. Vines for the tribute to our friend.
Jean Yontz
December 22, 2011 @ 7:35 AMDear Dr. Vines,
Thank you for your words and tribute for Guinell. She was one of a kind force of nature, and someone who made a difference in the lives of hundreds of women! I was fortunate enough to have been one of them.
I was saved at FBC Jax in 1977 being led to the Lord by Jean Blount. I then was mentored under the direction of Carolyn Whorton and Guinell Freeman. WHAT A RIDE...from Miss Southern Belle to the Woman of Steel!
I shall be eternally grateful for Guinell and her "no-excuse" leadership. My life has been deeply enriched by her total devotion to Jesus.
Blessings,
Jean Yontz
jerry vines
December 22, 2011 @ 7:37 AMHello, Bobbie. Thanks for these comments concerning Guinell. And you verify the accuracy of the written visitation reports! Such hard work and dedication sounds strange in these days. God bless you and family this Christmas.
Mike Goforth
December 22, 2011 @ 4:39 PMI thank the Lord for ms Guinell and for Fbc. I am a pastor from north Alabama. I attended the pastors conference 20 straight years and it was a great blessing to my life and ministry. I learned Flakes Formula from Ms Guinell and others at Fbc. I have been a pastor for 32 years and you dear folks from Fbc Jax will never know how many of us you have helped build great churches for the Lord.
Thank you,
mike Goforth
Marianne James
December 22, 2011 @ 9:16 PMThanks, Dr. Vines, for giving such a wonderful SHOUT about Miss Guinell. Beautifully done.
Marianne James
December 22, 2011 @ 9:18 PMBy the way, describe for me what the Flakes Formula is. I've been at FBC for 31 years and I have never heard of it.
JVM
December 22, 2011 @ 9:25 PMYou can read up on the Flakes Formula here:
www.sschool.com/Flake/index.htm
Fran Hawk
December 27, 2011 @ 1:00 PMGuinell was my best friend. We played together, worked together and prayed together. Yes, we did make those 50 each week under the leadership of Dr. Lindsay, Sr. but it taught us how to share Christ and to love people.
Thank you Dr. Vines for teaching us how to love the Word.
Because of Him,
Fran Hawk
My prayers are with you and Janet.
Timmy Vaughan aka Tim Bo Preach the Word
December 28, 2011 @ 3:48 PMDr. VINES Sir you are so on target about Ms. Freeman what a Angel from heaven sent by God to Keep us Preacher boys on the Road Ahead .....Dr. Vines Ms. Freeman was GODs wisdom given to the church of today she truly taught us how to live the life of Christ and Give GOD 110% total dedication and service to the calling GOD placed on our lives as christians she taught that you serve GOD with out excuses and never give up on the calling GOD places on your life and to serve JESUS the real way Ms. Freeman was amazing she taught young preacher boys that to serve GOD and grow a church you will have to pray , work , pray ,work and always win souls PROV 11:30 says He that winnith souls is wise . yes Ms. Freeman was the wisest most Godly woman i knew i will always miss her love and wisdom she gave me in the ministry as a preacher boy she taught me the best now she is at the feet of her master the king of kings and lord of lords we love you Ms. Freeman thanks for being the light of wisdom in my life ......
Timmy Vaughan ....Tim Bo..... Jacksonville ,FL
~ Timothy Vaughan, Jacksonville, Florida
jerry vines
December 31, 2011 @ 7:53 AMFran. When I think of Guinell I think of you. The both of you were the epitome of total dedication to Christ and His church. I know her home going is a great loss to you. Thank you for all of your assistance, prayers and encouragement in the 24 years I was at FBC Jax. We had some great times, didn't we? I still laugh to this day about your efforts to catch the person stealing brooms from the SS room closet! Jerry Vines