'Our family has been greatly blessed by the Wakefield family.  Ten years ago, Sarah and I met at Wakefield while attending Southeastern Seminary.  We then had the privilege of serving eight years on staff at Bay Leaf Baptist Church where we learned more about the historical relationship between Wakefield and Bay Leaf.  Little did we know at the time how God would prepare us to return to Wakefield to serve on staff and to pastor.  We are so blessed to be here among a family of believers who love God, love others, and seek to live and speak the gospel here and around the world.  You have welcomed us into your family and we count it a great joy to serve with you.  We celebrate the wonderful ministry and missions of the last ten years.  With great anticipation, we look forward to greater things in the next ten years.  Happy Anniversary Wakefield!'

Justin, Sarah, Isaac, Ethan & Micah Buchanan

"What an amazing journey the last 10 years have been for my family.  We never dreamed or imagined the Lord would lead us to be a part of a church plant, but are so thankful He did.  I had no idea how much my life would change when eight years ago Pastor Wil asked me to start a children's ministry program at Wakefield.  Five years later  the Lord allowed me to leave a career I loved only to later reveal it was time to step out of children's ministry.  At first I did not understand, but then God gave me Jeremiah 29:11 AND the time to begin His next plan for me—Building Blocks Learning Center.  Life is full of surprises, but God's timing is always perfect.  Our Lord Jesus has stretched me and grown me in mighty ways over the last 10 years and for that I am very thankful.  Happy Anniversary Wakefield Baptist Church!"

Peggy Degler

"We came to Wakefield shortly after we got married in 2002.  Over the years it has been exciting to watch our church family grow as our own family has grown.  God has truly blessed us as we have served in different areas of the church.  He has also blessed us as the body of Christ at Wakefield has served our family through friendships, meals brought to our home, those who have watched over and loved our children, and those who have prayed for us.  It is a true joy to be a member of such a great body of believers and to feel God in all the activities and services that are done for His glory."

Matt, Meredith, Elizabeth & Andrew Cook

"Ten years ago when the Lord called our family to help start a church in the Wake Forest area, little did we know the many blessings in store for us and for many others. We are so thankful for the vision God gave the Bayleaf Baptist Church family many years ago and the obedience and faithfulness of the founding members. Today, we are thankful to the Lord for the many ways that He continues to 'shed God's love abroad in our hearts' through the Wakefield Baptist Church family  here in Wake Forest and all throughout the world and are excited to see all the Lord has in store for each of us as we serve Him."

 Kevin and Melanie Bell

Lauren, Emily, Martin, and Matthew

"Gerald and I have been attending Wakefield Baptist since 2002, one year after it began.  We came to visit 'Bay Leaf Baptist, North Campus' at Wakefield High School, just after we became married.  We were looking for our first church together, and felt right at home here.  We have loved the people, loved serving the Lord, and have loved how our relationship with God and each other has grown over the past 9 years.  We have watched our two children learn to love the Lord and learn to love coming to church because of Wakefield Baptist.  We have so many memories of youth group functions, VBS, baby dedications, ground breakings,  women's ministry outings, men's ministry outings, Deacon gatherings, moms group, Sunday School classes, preschool ministries and bible studies.  The Lord has blessed our family with a wonderful church- a place to worship, learn and serve.  We can't wait to see what the Lord has for Wakefield Baptist and we are so thankful our family can be a part of it!"

Gerald & Nancy Franks

"It has been a great blessing to be part of a church start. We became members of Bay Leaf Baptist Church knowing that there would be a church plant soon. We were present in the small congregation the first Sunday of May 2001. From the beginning we have loved our church and have never regretted our decision. Our focus of worshiping God and reaching lost people for Jesus has remained constant and our prayer is that this would never change."

         Someone has well said:

        "To plant for a season, plant a flower.

         To plant for a lifetime, plant a tree.

         To plant for eternity, plant a church."

 Al & Olga Hood

"My first visit to Wakefield Baptist was in the Wakefield High School which happened to be the first anniversary of the church. I was impressed with the devotion of the people and commitment to prayer. The people were so loving, warm, and wonderful. I became part of Wednesday night prayer services and we began to see the need for a prayer committee to build the prayer ministry. A prayer-walking team was organized that met each Saturday morning. When the weather was nice,we would divide into groups and prayer-walk specific areas, covering one area before moving to another. If the weather was not good to walk, the team stayed at the church and prayed, moving from the sanctuary, the classrooms, business offices, and other areas. The prayer-walking team was made up mostly of college students and we ended the time at the church property holding hands and praying.

We began the prayer team for praying during the worship services. Shortly therafter, we began the neighborhood prayer groups. It is very exciting to see how God has blessed our endeavors and to see the prayer monistry expanding. We were so blessed with the wonderful leadership of Wil Graham in starting this church and we are so blessed to have Justin and Sarah Buchanan to lead us on to be the church we are destined to become. God bless each one of you."

Helen Upchurch