The New Adventures of an Old Preacher

It rarely gets this cold on the Gulf Coast but I never could seem to get warm on Tuesday- at least on the outside. I spent most of that day with Jim Ingram who is an elder at the Central Church of Christ in Pascagoula, MS.

My good friend, John Dobbs, who is the preaching minister (one of the many hats he wears) at Central had invited me to participate in their GodThirst Campaign. This is their latest effort to reach out to the hundreds of people they have assisted through their hurricane relief ministry. I was there to lead a discussion class for two nights, but John also gave me the opportunity to accompany them on their daytime visits and on Tuesday I was paired with Jim.

Almost without fail when Jim mentioned Central a big smile and glow would light up the face of the person to whom we were speaking. They would mention receiving a washer and dryer or furniture or assistance of another type. Many invited us in and recalled their personal Katrina survival story. Most were excited to be back in their homes even though all of the damage was not repaired. Others still remained in their FEMA trailers. Some were almost ready to move back in their homes, but a few had no home left in which to move. Seventeen months after Katrina turned their world upside down; some still had not been able to find it upright again.

It was a day of mixed emotions. I saw joy, gladness, thankfulness, hope and relief. But I also witnessed desperation, uncertainty, sadness and need. In only one city block this would all be easily illustrated. On one corner would be a newly built home. Next door there would be an abandoned one. Then on the next lot a whirlwind of activity would center on another home being rebuilt. Across the street a small FEMA trailer would sit next to an empty concrete slab.

Seeing that is when I would really feel the chill of the winter wind.

So much remains to be done in this Mississippi coastal town and the Central Church of Christ continues to help see that it gets done. They are still reaching out through their relief ministries- providing material needs as well as offering spiritual answers to a city still awash in the struggles of the aftermath of that great storm.

I never did get warm that day- on the outside. But what I witnessed in my visits with Jim and with my two nights at the Central church is still keeping me warm. What a reception they gave my message!

Central is making a huge difference in their community and God is- by far- not finished with them yet.

On a cold day in Pascagoula I experienced the welcoming warmth of the God’s kingdom.

Thanks to all who have kept checking in even though I am very much behind in updating my blog. Now that the tyranny of the urgent seems to be behind me, my goal is to do a much better job.My quick trip to Vilnius, Lithuania was a joy. The young church there is as healthy and unified as they have ever been and poised, I believe, to enjoy growth and long-term stability. I enjoyed spending time planning, praying and studying with the two Lithuanian evangelists there. I was also heartened by the genuine dedication I witnessed in the young people, many of whom are products of our Christian camp. Their spiritual focus is contagious and if we can only keep them in the country they will ensure a dynamic future for the kingdom there.

My last night abroad was spent in luxury. Forced to overnight in Copenhagen because of airline schedules, a friend and brother at Gateway had arranged through his points account a room for me at the Marriott. What a room! I never ventured out. I was well rested upon my arrival home.

The trip was indeed a blessing but not as much as seeing my girls once I got back. I cannot thank God enough for Terri who takes care of the home fires while I am away. What a blessing she is to my ministry. I was only home a few days when I left again.

You can read all about that in my next post.

God bless you and thanks again for checking in on the adventures.

After much exhortation by several I return to my blog after a lengthy absence. I did not plan on this. It just happened as other events and priorities took over during the holidays and beyond. I truly hope that your New Year has started off well.

Christmas at our house was great with a house full of family. Terri and I had a rare “just us” trip to Gatlinburg, TN that was in all ways great. We saw the New Year in rather quietly and then got busier than ever.

At Gateway our 2007 theme is Resolve to be Involved and have I ever. First up, after much prayer and preparation by leadership, we had a terrific family meeting on a Sunday night and presented goals, plans, hopes and dreams to the congregation and asked for their input, prayers and support. The meeting went better than expected and so far the involvement spirit has been contagious.

Much of my time during the first two weeks of the New Year was taken up with planning Gateway’s first ever Celebration of Christian Education Weekend. This just-concluded event was successful beyond expectations. God blessed us with representatives of Lipscomb University, Rochester College, Magnolia Bible College (it was good to see my old pal, Allen Coker), Western Christian College (also great to see friend John McMillen) , Freed-Hardiman University, Faulkner University, Pepperdine University, Harding University, Heritage Christian University, Regions University (nice to get reacquainted with old school mate, Robert Holland) , and Global Christian University. We also enjoyed the musical talents of Harding’s Belles & Beaux and the preaching talent of Rochester’s Dr. David Fleer. As a part of this weekend we also began the Gateway Christian Scholarship Fund to be eventually used by Gateway families to assist in sending their children to a Christian college or university. God blessed us with over $11.000 given to begin this fund.

Last night, John and Margaret Dobbs were our guests. John shared in a fine way with Gateway their ongoing hurricane relief work. It was great to spend a little time with them even if we were all a little worn out. The work they do is an incredible example of the church in action as it should be.

Now I am packing to leave tomorrow, God willing, on a week-long trip to Vilnius, Lithuania. My time there will be spent with Ilia Amosov and Jouzas Pudoukaitis who are the evangelists for the Church of Christ in this Baltic city. Gateway oversees their support and work and I will be assisting them in their 2007 plans and leading them in a ministry ethics course. I solicit your prayers on my behalf as I travel.

Of course, I will miss my girls and look forward to returning to a somewhat slower pace as the winter winds down in the Florida panhandle.

Thanks for checking in!