Finish The Race You Were Called To

Local Author Inspires WEC Employees To Pursue Purpose

“At 16, I was ready to quit school and run away from home,” says Walt Merrell, standing before a room filled with Wiregrass Electric Cooperative employees during their annual Employee Day. His candor set the tone for a day centered on inspiration, reflection, and the pursuit of purpose.

Merrell, a district attorney in Covington County and author, recounted his challenging upbringing marked by family abuse and the early departure of his brothers. A bribe from his oldest brother convinced him to stay in school — a decision that led him to become the first in his family to graduate from high school and college.

“I wanted to do something meaningful in life. I wanted to have a purpose,” he says, reflecting on his thwarted attempts to join the Navy’s Judge Advocate General Corps due to medical disqualifications. After facing rejection, he worked at a law firm.

“I spent years chasing money, and the longer I did, the less fulfilling my work became,” Merrell said. The turning point came with the birth of his daughter. Looking at her through the hospital window, he realized, “I spent an awful lot of time chasing something that had very little value.” This epiphany led him to refocus on his family and purpose, ultimately joining the district attorney’s office, even though it meant earning less.

“We live in a world where we are trained to believe that money is the most valuable thing there is,” he told the audience. “But in fact, time is.”

Merrell’s journey took another dramatic turn when he was diagnosed with terminal sarcoma and given 2 years to live. “The value of my time became tremendously more significant,” he said. Determined to make the most of it, he sought to bond with his daughters through outdoor adventures, despite having no prior experience. These adventures inspired his book, “Shepherding Outdoors,” which has since become a four-volume series. Each employee received a copy, symbolizing the day’s message of finding common ground and purpose.

“Recognize that things are going to get tough,” Merrell says. “You’re going to have people that oppose you because you’re trying to pursue your passion with a purpose. But don’t quit. Finish the race that you were called to.”

Following Merrell’s speech, Tony Wood took the stage to share his journey from addiction to becoming a beacon of hope for others. As the founder of True Freedom Ministries and Freedom House, Wood dedicates his life to helping individuals overcome addiction through faith.

“I just don’t believe once somebody’s an addict, they’re always an addict,” Wood says. “Whoever the Son sets free is free indeed.”

He spoke about the challenges of establishing Freedom House, which now houses 24 men and has aided 43 men and 6 women in their recovery journeys. Funding was a significant hurdle, but Wood expressed deep gratitude for the support from Operation Round Up, the charitable arm of WEC.

Since 2015, Operation Round Up has returned over $1.4 million raised by members to the communities it serves. Overseen by a board of 9 unpaid volunteers, the program provided crucial funding to Freedom House, including a recent $20,000 grant for air conditioning at the women’s facility. “The Lord always carries His mission out 1 way or the other,” Wood says.

WEC CEO Brad Kimbro addressed employees, emphasizing the importance of service and community. “We’re going to continue to pull on the same rope, have the same goal, have the same focus, and be the best we can be for our membership because that’s what our membership deserves,” he said, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of the staff, senior leadership, and board members.

The day wasn’t all speeches. Employees enjoyed a catered lunch, received service awards, and participated in raffles. But it was Merrell’s poignant question at the end of his speech that hung in the air: “Are you fighting the good fight?”

His words served as a powerful reminder to reflect on one’s purpose and passions. The Employee Day event didn’t just offer stories of personal struggle and triumph, it challenged each person to examine their own lives and the legacy they’re building.

In a world that often equates success with monetary gain, the messages from Merrell and Wood ring loudly. They urged everyone to value time over money, purpose over position, and faith over fear. Or as Merrell put it, “Finish the race that you were called to find purpose in.”