Board Member bio – William Martin
My name is William Martin and at times, I’m referred to as the “Face of the Fund” due to manning the information table at last year’s exciting 5k race. Memphis is home to many generations of my family. I love continuing that legacy and currently reside in Midtown. My wife, Ashley, and I recently celebrated our second year marriage anniversary and are expecting our first child in late November or early December. I’m employed in the financial and money management industry.
I’ve known David for many years with connections of Memphis, the University of Tennessee, Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Independent Presbyterian Church and we were roommates. David and Brittany are some of my dearest friends. It is with supreme confidence and authority, based on life experiences, I tell others about the character, integrity, drive, desire, aptitude, determination and mission of not only David and Brittany but also specifically the Forrest Spence Fund (FSF). Over the 4th of July, I was sitting in a country church listening to a sermon from Gal 6:2 about “bearing one another’s burdens” when David, Brittany and the FSF came to mind. I remembered watching David, Brittany and Le Bonheur fighting for the life of Forrest and the depth, intensity and anguish of their struggle. In those moments, I wanted to move into that situation and help bear their burden. Now, my desire is to not only continue to come alongside the Spence’s and bear their burdens, but also to celebrate God’s Grace in their lives as well. I once looked at my wife and asked her how she felt about the life of a 55-day-old baby impacting the Kingdom more than both of our lives combined. Indeed, God had and continues to have big plans for Forrest.
Through the Spence’s experience, I recognized the FSF would move to bear the burdens of families and children in a unique and unmet manner. The FSF is an organization seeking out brokenness and need, then becoming involved in lives of others with an experiential understanding. In a radical way, the FSF address the non-medical needs of not only the family and infirmed children but of the hospital and medical staff as well. The opportunity to couple myself with friends like the Spences’ with a mission to grow from their experience and work to bear other’s burdens makes it a privilege to be board member for the Forrest Spence Fund.
I’m offering you the opportunity and inviting you to move towards need and bear another’s burden. The FSF sincerely loves your prayers, time, donations and/or participation. Come bear another’s burden so, in time, you will also celebrate God’s Grace in their lives as well. Bring your kids and family to join us for the Forrest Spence 5k and after party on August 28th.
