Alan Folsom
Co-Host of Burnt Hickory | Sermons
Alan has been with Burnt Hickory since March, 2019. His desire for Adult ministries at Burnt Hickory is to be effective in leading people to make disciples and to live missionally.
He previously served as a State Missionary with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board serving in the areas of Sunday School, Discipleship and Church Administration, 2000-2019. Alan also has served eight churches in interim Minister of Education and administration. Prior to serving Georgia Baptists, he served for 15 years as a minister of education, and other staff ministry roles in churches in Georgia and North Carolina
Alan and Paula Chapman Folsom were married August 8, 1987. They have been blessed with three children: Luke & Jacque have their two grandsons, Isaiah and Judah and number 3 expected in April 2020; Kelly is a Nanny and student at Kennesaw State University and will be married in December 2019; Curtis, is a junior, majoring in accounting at the University of GA.
Alan earned the Doctor of Ministry Degree in Evangelism and Church Growth from the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, in May 2008. He received the degree of Master of Divinity with Christian Education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina in 1988. He earned a degree of Bachelor of Business Administration, in Personnel and Industrial Relations from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA, 1984.
He is a native of Georgia, growing up in Jackson and has resided in Woodstock, GA since 1994.
Alan Folsom has hosted six Episodes.
-
Passion for the Practice of Prayer
Episode | June 30th, 2024 | 46 mins 16 secs
baptist, bible, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
As Christians, we are called to live a life of prayer, and here at Burnt Hickory, we want you to be empowered to grow in truth as you live out your faith through prayer. You see, prayer is more than just our petitions to God the Father for needs; prayer carries our purpose in following God’s will and contains power as it aligns our hearts with His. Through prayer, we commune with God and, in turn, bear fruit in good works and grow in the knowledge of Him. Pray doesn’t change God’s mind, it changes our hearts – drawing us closer to Him through knowledge, understanding, and the imparting of wisdom.
Are you in the habit of praying daily? Does your prayer life draw you closer to God? Do you need help in learning how to pray effectively or to live out your prayer life through joining opportunities for prayer? Then follow this link to opportunities to grow your prayer life - burnthickory.com/prayerlife. You can always take the next step in your faith journey by visiting burnthickory.com/next. -
Worthy Worship of the King: Lessons from the Wise Men
Episode | December 31st, 2023 | 40 mins 11 secs
baptist, bible, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
As we stand on the brink of a new year, our hearts resonate with the journey of the Wise Men who sought the King—the true Messiah sent by the Father. In this New Year's Eve reflection, we'll explore the timeless lessons from these seekers of truth.
Guided by divine signs, the Wise Men recognized a wondrous star leading them to the King. Similarly, our worship is a journey guided by divine signs, recognizing the King's presence in our lives. Overcoming obstacles, the Wise Men stayed true to the essence of worship, avoiding fear and political agendas to honor the Holy King. Our worship, too, should be marked by overcoming personal obstacles, rooted in honoring the Holy King.
In response to divine revelation, the Wise Men expressed joyful dedication and rejoiced in the presence of the King. Our worship, likewise, should be characterized by joyful dedication, responding to divine revelation. Worship that honors is free from personal gain, rooted in pure motives, avoiding the pitfalls seen in Herod's troubled reaction and the knowledge-laden but faith-lacking religious leaders.
Lastly, we explore worship that brings joy, acknowledging Jesus as King, High Priest, and Savior through the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Our worship, akin to the Wise Men's offerings, should recognize Jesus in His fullness and embrace sacrificial worship.
Whether you join us online or in person, let's glean valuable lessons from the Wise Men on this special New Year's Eve, understanding what it truly means to offer Worthy Worship of the King. See you soon!
-
The Transformed Life | Simon Peter: Transformed by Grace
Episode | February 19th, 2023 | 40 mins 52 secs
baptist, bible, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
We conclude our sermon series called the Transformed Life this week by looking at Simon Peter. We dive into scripture to look at Simon Peter’s face-to-face encounter with Jesus that changed his life. What we see as Simon remembers, is restored by, and eventually recommissioned by the grace of Jesus Christ, we learn that we should follow Him and not compare ourselves with someone else. When we do follow Jesus, our lives will reflect Him through faithful obedience, unwavering love, and a passionate commitment to Him. Jerry Bridges puts it like this - “You are loved and accepted by God through the merit of Jesus… Nothing you ever do will cause him to love you any more or any less. He loves you strictly by His grace given to you through Jesus.”
Have you accepted Jesus? Are you following him? Do you have questions? We’d love to connect with you, answer any questions you have, and take time to pray with you. Reach out today. You can always take the next step in your faith journey by visiting burnthickory.com/next -
Church in Deep Water
Episode | July 17th, 2022 | 48 mins 45 secs
baptist, bible, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
Pastor Alan shares some characteristics of a church in deep water, not being in trouble, but following God’s commands to go deeper in following Him and fishing for men in a lost world. We see in scripture – Luke 5:1-11; that we need to have deep water experiences in our faith, and we need to have them more often. The greatest catch in the disciples’ careers ended in them abandoning everything and following Jesus. In the same manner, we need to abandon everything and follow Christ into deep waters.
As always, if you’ve got questions, we’d love to connect with you to help you find answers and pray with you. Please reach out and take the next step in your faith journey – burnthickory.com/next. -
A Great Commitment to the Great Commission
Episode | January 2nd, 2022 | 46 mins 42 secs
baptist, bible, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
According to research, most churchgoers don’t know what the great commission is. As Christians, we are called to be true disciples, who make disciples. During this bible study, Pastor Alan shows us in Matthew 28 what Jesus says about our great commandment which we are commissioned to fulfil. Jesus tells us to go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. His promise is that He will always be with us, even to the end of the age. As we teach and love people, we want them to also love the Lord, live the word, serve the body, to ultimately live missionally.
The purpose of the great commission of Jesus to believers and the church never ends or changes: make disciples, always going baptizing, and teaching. Are you fulfilling the great commission in the daily rhythms of life? Maybe this sermon has kindled a passion or disciple making, or you have more questions about being a disciple. We would love to connect with you, and answer any questions you have, and provide opportunities for you to make disciples – reach out to us today! Burnthickory.com -
Why Trust God?
Episode | December 27th, 2020 | 42 mins 59 secs
baptist, bible, burnt hickory, church, preaching, scripture, sermon
As we reflect back on everything that has taken place in 2020, there may have been many times where you might wonder, why trust God? There’s been so much uncertainty and confusion in the world, its easy to lose sight of His sovereignty.