Twenty young men, middle school- and high school-aged, recently attended a daylong event to learn the art of being godly gentlemen.
    Sponsored by Statesboro Primitive Baptist Church, the Southern Traditions and Godly Gentlemen (STAGG) Conference, held at the end of April, followed a girls’ event held in January, titled “PEARL,” Positive, Elegant, and Respectful Ladies.
    Participants of the STAGG Conference attended classes during the day and were treated to an elegant, formal meal in the evening, prepared by a four-man cooking crew and served on fine china provided by ladies of the church.
    Following the coat-and-tie dinner, the keynote speaker, Woody Woodcock, encouraged the boys to follow God in every way to have a full life. Woodcock, originally from Glennville, is a Georgia Southern University graduate and currently resides in Birmingham, Ala.
    Brother Randy Waters, elder and pastor of Statesboro Primitive Baptist, opened the event with prayer. Waters accompanied the boys to the sessions and provided his input.
    “It was a challenge and an inspiration to work with this outstanding group of young men and bring to them the discussion of respect as it applies to humanity, to our nation, and especially to self, as it affects our lives,” Brother Bobby Smith said of his session on “Respect.” 
    Todd Hutchens, the event coordinator, marveled at Smith’s lifetime of dedication to the Lord. Smith is in his 80s.
“He is a great blessing, with his wisdom and life experiences being used in his presentation to the young men of STAGG,” Hutchens said.
    The “Patriotism” session was taught by Brother Rodney Harville, also a deacon of the church, and George Beavers, veterans with more than 50 years of service in the military.
    Alex Morris, a certified instructor and personal trainer, led “Temples of Christ,” teaching the boys that they should treat their bodies as God’s temple.
    Local business owner Chris Hendrix, of Hendrix Fire Protection Co., taught a session on “Purity.” Hendrix and his family have been members of Statesboro Primitive Baptist for many years, with twin 18-year-old daughters and a 16-year-old son who attended the event.
    The topic of “Problem Solving” was tackled by Lewis Spivey, a local business owner and longtime member of the church, and Bobby Gee, the church’s Boy Scout troop leader. Spivey and Gee worked together to provide the young men with problem-solving techniques for relationships, the workplace, and life in general.
    The final session was taught by Wayne Brannen, a deacon of the church and a farmer with deep roots in Bulloch County. During his “Etiquette” session, Brannen taught the boys the proper way to tie a tie.
    Hutchens said the event, centered around Proverbs 4:23 was a huge success. That verse reads: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
    Friends Will Tankersley and Cole Meeks, seventh-graders at William James Middle School, agreed.
“I enjoyed STAGG, even if it was a Saturday,” Tankersley said. “I learned a lot and really enjoyed the Careers and Purity classes.”
With a smile, he added, “The meal was good, too.”
    “I’m glad I went to STAGG because I learned the right way to let a waiter know that I am done with a meal,” Meeks said. “We learned some good table manners, and I used them.”
    Cody Deal, also a seventh-grader at William James, signed up sp he could spend time with his friends.
“My favorite part was about patriotism,” he said. “They taught us how to really do the Pledge of Allegiance and how we should respect our country. It was a lot of fun, and I’m glad I went.”
    Hutchens, a captain with the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office's Criminal Investigations Division and the father of a 16-year-old who attended the conference, said: “As a father, son, husband, brother, and most importantly, a child of God, I find it to be our responsibility to help provide spiritual and professional leadership to the young men of our future generation. Through this STAGG event, we will only scratch the surface.”