Facilitators
Frank and Carol Falks are leaders of the Genesee Avenue Golden Wisdom Seniors Ministry. Frank was baptized into the church in 2007, and Carol was baptized by her Father in 1976.
They were married in 1968 and have two adult children and three grandchildren. Frank was born in Oglethorpe, GA while raised in Florida. Carol hails from New York.
Frank is a graduate of Parsons College in Fairfield, IA, attaining Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Health & Physical Education. He enjoyed a career of coaching Football at several major Universities before moving on to coach professional Football and brought his team to the Super Bowl.Carol also graduated from Parsons College. In the midst of traveling and relocating professionally, Carol has been a Physical Education teacher, Travel Agent, Librarian, College Dance Instructor, an Accounts Receivable Clerk, Head Start program manager, and Recreational Program Supervisor and Coordinator.
In addition to serving as leaders of the Genessee Avenue Golden Wisdom Seniors Ministry, Frank and Carol serve on the Evangelism Team. Carol is active in the Women's Ministry, Food Pantry, and the Justice Ministry's BREAD Organization.
The Golden Wisdom Ministry consists of all Church of Christ members at Genessee Avenue and other community members aged 60 years and up, although a younger spouse is also considered a member. Those members who have not yet reached their 60th birthday are automatically considered members of the “Bridge Gappers” ministry.
Golden Wisdom provides help and encouragement to Senior Citizens in the congregation and in the local community. Members help one another navigate the transition from employment to retirement, and remain vibrant, essential members of both the congregation and the community.
Golden Wisdom meets on Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. at the church building beginning the first week in March, and continuing through the third week of December each year.. A Bible Study lesson is an important factor, but community speakers on services for Senior Citizens are regularly invited. Golden Wisdom members also visit with other Seniors at local Nursing Homes, and visit local elementary schools to sit with troubled children and review lessons or just offer a little bit of extra love and attention where it is so badly needed. There are also field trips to participate in, crafting activities, pot-luck lunches, and other entertainments. The annual National Association of Celebrated Seniors convention is an important weekend long trip. There is an annual picnic at a local park where seniors from all over the state are invited to attend. The “Golden Wisdom Banquet” is a popular event hosted by the Bridge Gappers Ministry, but Golden Wisdom participates with skits, songs, and surprises during the program.
Golden Wisdom members are encouraged to participate in many church ministries and activities. Some members choose to work in the Food Pantry, while others choose to act as Greeters on Sunday mornings. All members are also encouraged to take a turn presenting a Bible based lesson during the Tuesday meetings.
Golden Wisdom makes it clear that you are never too old to be useful to a community, to a congregation, or to God.
that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.