The Rev. Timothy L. Croft, an engaging preacher and a master at synthesizing the Christian faith and life experiences will be in Southern Pines at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church for a two-day series of speaking engagements on Sunday, Feb. 18, and Monday, Feb. 19.

Dr. Croft's schedule of activities includes preaching at both the 8:45 and 11:10 a.m. services on Sunday, Feb. 18, as well as an evening presentation and a noon conversation on Monday, Feb. 19.

Croft's presence at Brownson is part of the Bill Jones Series, established by the estate of a late member of the church, as a generous endowment to support special events, which inform, educate and enrich the spiritual life of the congregation and the community. The special endowment enables the church to draw outstanding lecturers and preachers each year, and all events are open to area residents.

The overall topic of his visit will be "Lord, I Believe; Help My Unbelief!" Croft has served as senior minister in both large and small congregations as well as worked at the senior vice president level of First Union National Bank in Charlotte. His perspectives as both clergy and layperson offer insights into answering God's call and the living of the Christian faith in the good days, the bad days, and the in-between days.

Croft graduated from Davidson College in 1966 and received a masters of divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1970. He studied in Scotland before serving churches in Kentucky, Tennessee, Miami, and Charlotte. Looking for a change, he left congregational ministry and went to work in business for five years. Currently, he has returned to the parish, serving as pastor of Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church on the coast of North Carolina.

Croft and his wife, Margaret, are friends of Brownson's pastor, Grady Perryman and his wife, Mary Wynne. Their friendship goes back to 1982 when Croft and Perryman served together at Miami Shores Presbyterian Church in Miami, Fla.

For five years, Perryman served there as associate pastor while Croft served as pastor.

"As the members of Presbyterian churches he has served well know (including Myers Park in Charlotte, Miami Shore in Miami, First in Lynchburg, Va.), Tim Croft brings extra doses of vitality and life to his preaching,'" says Perryman. "He has all the attributes of 'a big city, tall steeple preacher,' but at the same time he knows what it is to sit in the pew on Sunday morning as a regular layperson.

"When his sermons take wing and fly, we are not left on the ground. We are soaring with him. As gifted as Tim is as a preacher, his personality may speak his deep faith even more effectively. I hope not only the Brownson congregation but also the wider Sandhills community will come experience the Christian faith with my friend Tim."

The Sunday evening presentation, "The Will of God?" will be held at Brownson at 7 p.m. preceded by the serving of a light supper at 6 p.m. On Monday a light lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m., with the program beginning at 12:15 p.m. The theme will be "Jesus said, "I am the Light of the World." The cost of the Sunday evening supper is $5 at the door, and the Monday lunch is $4.

"The public is invited to all events," says a spokesman.

Reservations for the meals are encouraged and can be made by calling 692-6562 or by e-mail at bmpc@brownsonchurch.org. Child care is also available with a reservation for either Sunday night or Monday noon.

For additional details on this informative and enlightening series, contact the Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church office at 692-6252.