By: Kara Timberlake

 

For almost 40 years, Reverend James Fuller has served his calling as a preacher, with eleven of those years spent in Kentucky and over 27 years in Beaumont.

 

While serving as the Senior Pastor of Calder Baptist Church, James was also a member of the Rotary Club of Beaumont from 1993 until he retired in 2021.

 

A graduate of Illinois State University in Psychology, he completed his M.Div. degree at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri and his Ph.D. at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

With a bent toward interpreting scripture with a lens of inclusivity, James emphasized what it means to take care of and nurture your neighbor. How we respond to others is ultimately influenced by the fact that we are all brothers and sisters, James said.

 

Speaking on ethics, James shared his insight on the war in Ukraine and gave a background on the origin of the Rotary Four-Way Test. Created by Herbert Taylor, the test is meant to be a guide, not to tell others what to do, but to provide questions that help to guide actions.

 

After the guest speaker, this year's T. Kelsey Lamb, Sr. Award for Business Ethics was awarded to Mary Poole. The T. Kelsey Lamb, Sr. Award is presented annually to a Beaumont Rotarian who consistently exhibits the highest ethical standards represented by the Rotary Four-Way Test in his or her chosen vocation.

 

John Lee, who nominated Mary Poole, had the following to say about Mary when announcing her as the honoree.

 

“I am proud to introduce a person who I feel embodies both the spirit of Rotary and the adherence to ethics that is the impetus behind the T. Kelsey Lamb award.

 

It is obvious to those lucky enough to be around our nominee that this Rotarian, lives and breathes the 4-Way Test in dealings with others. Anyone who works in our nominee’s chosen profession has experienced extreme stress over the past 2 years, and this year’s recipient is no exception to that fact. But even during the most stressful of times, something that stands out with this Rotarian is the undying sense of humor. The ability to laugh and crack jokes and make those around them feel better has not diminished, even when many times I am sure there were tears just beneath the surface..."