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Walking the Walk
      A special editorial by Margaret Morris

For many years, Dr. Ronald “Jack” Boyd was known in Milledgeville as a family practitioner. Now retired, he devotes his time in helping his fellow man. Most folks anticipate their retirement as a time to relax and enjoy doing the things they’ve longed to do. Instead, Dr. Boyd seized this opportunity to help others through Maranatha Outreach, Inc.                                                                                    

>> Boyd breaks for a picture at Camp Maranatha. <<

 
As the founder and past president, Dr. Boyd established Maranatha Outreach Ministries in 1989 to provide temporary shelter and services for the homeless. The three-part organization located in Baldwin County ministers the whole person, spirit and body and teaches each individual to be responsible members of society. Every day residents are transported to and from  town for work and, if applicable, some are also taken to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. “We are not in the business of giving people a “hand out,” but a “hand up,” says Dr. Boyd. “We believe in the saying, ‘If you give a fish to a man, he will eat for a day, but if you teach a man to fish, he may eat for a lifetime.’”

The Mission Home houses an average of 14 to 15 people who are poor and homeless. These individuals work during the day, attend GED classes and do whatever it takes to learn how to function on their own. 

The Serenity Home is an eight-bed residential treatment facility for homeless men with substance abuse issues. The home accepts men only by referral from the State Hospital, Oconee Center and other agencies that have made a prior assessment of their need and desire for help. The facility averages seven people who live there for a year, attend AA classes, work, then graduate and move on with their lives.

Dr. Boyd oversees the operation of this home serving as the supervisor.  “These residents learn to become productive members of society,” says Boyd.

 "The Thrift store came together because of some dedicated volunteers from Hardwick Christian Church,” states Boyd. “It’s exciting to see the spiritual network (of people) in operation. I always know that things will come together.” Boyd describes how Maranatha’s current President Kenneth Eady came initially to construct the thrift store. “That was six years ago, and he has volunteered his time in Maranatha ever since then.”

Dr. Boyd also helps individuals outside of Maranatha such as when he applied for funding through Operation Roundup on behalf of two families—one who’s home burned and the other to aid a single working mother of six children who’s home was dilapidated. Both requests were granted. (188-02)

Born in Sylvester, Ga., Jack Boyd pursued his goal of becoming a doctor. He graduated from the University of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia. He also served in the Air Force. Jack Boyd met his wife Shirley while she was in nursing school. They have two daughters and one son. Dr. Boyd was in private practice as a general practitioner in Milledgeville for several years. After that time, he contracted his medical services with a prison, then Central State Hospital in the Veteran’s division and in the Children’s Psychiatric unit.  Currently, he works two hours a day at the Youth Detention Center.                                                 

“I enjoy seeing  lives changed.” —Dr. Ronald Boyd

Maranatha Outreach. Inc. spawned from an interdenominational men’s fellowship lead by Boyd. “The holy spirit spoke to me of the need of this organization,” says Boyd. “I enjoy seeing lives change.”

“Take Jack Boyd out of the picture, and Maranatha wouldn’t be there,” states Maranatha President and retired owner of KC Eady Insurance Repair Kenneth Eady. “Jack was the instigator in getting the project underway. Although we’ve had a lot of good men help the organization through the years, it is the daily determination of Jack Boyd that keeps this place going.