Former Johns Creek Baptist Pastor Diagnosed With ALS

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The senior pastor at Johns Creek Baptist Church took to the Internet to share with the congregation news of a devastating diagnosis given to its former pastor.

Shaun King said The Rev. Bill Self has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, according to a message he wrote on Tuesday.

Commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, ALS is a ”progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord,” according to the ALS Association.

According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS often starts with muscle twitching and weakness in one’s arm or leg or slurring of speech. The disease eventually affect a patient’s ability to control the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe.

Self retired in late 2012 as senior pastor at Johns Creek Baptist Church after decades of service.

“Even now, as he and Carolyn make plans to consult with neurologists and other specialists along the way, as physical therapy continues and voice therapy begins, their primary plan is to enter this season of uncertainty the same way they have entered (and endured) every other season in their long and faithful journey thus far: By faith,” King states in his post. “Faith. It’s the one thing stronger than his diagnosis.”

The congregation is asked to ”unite in prayer” for Self, who led the church for 20 years. Each day at noon, parishioners are asked to “create a daily rhythm of liftng the Self family up in prayer,” King said in his message.

“It does not have to be long or dramatic,” King added. “You don’t have to rearrange your day, or gather in a specific place. Whatever you happen to be doing at the time, stop at noon to whisper a simple prayer that the sufficient Grace of our Lord be known and felt that day.”

King states that Self asks the congregation to hold off on sending food at this time, but the family can use the written support via cards, letters and emails. Residents can send emails to Self at wlself@bellsouth.net.

The senior pastor does request residents send emails that are “one directional,” meaning residents should refrain from asking questions that would require a response. That, King said, could make Self’s recovery “more taxing than necessary.”

“One directional emails written like you would write a card will be the best expression of care,” he added. “Thank you for being the congregation you are. You love deeply and widely. There is immense healing in your love one for another. I have seen it. May we now unify in that love as we walk alongside the entire Self family, by faith.”

Photo credit: Johns Creek Baptist Church