The Fellowship of Faith Church - 1/15/2012

I really did not know what to expect when we pulled up to Fellowship of Faith this morning around 8:00.  Brother Ron Lynch had suggested several weeks ago that we check them out, so I went online to look at their website earlier in the week.  The church has recently moved into their current building off North Parkway, close to Lowe's, and is running two worship services and Bible studies.  We pulled up to what looked like the building entrance and parked. 

I got out and asked a nice lady if this was the closest entrance to where the "Faith Institute"" classes were being held.  She told me that Faith Institute was their equivalent to Sunday School and we were already parked in a close spot. 

I don't remember the last time I was in a church made up of all most exclusively of our black brothers and sisters but it was a treat.  We were greeted by everyone in our path and then escorted to our respective classes.  Denise was in an all ladies class taught by Juarine Stewart.  They were studying out of the book Brave:  Honest Questions Women Ask by Angela Thomas.  Denise said she felt very welcomed and that the class's discussion leader was very personable, thorough and grounded in Scripture.  Denise also said it was one of the best ladies' classes she'd attended.

I was in a men's class taught by Marc Seldon.  Every single person in my class spoke to me individually and shook my hand. I believe there were twelve in the class.  Brother Marc did a great job and was teaching out of a book called "Point Man" which focused on how a man should lead his family.  Several of the men there read Scripture and shared some comments as well. 

When classes were over it was only a short walk to the sanctuary which I thought looked very nice.   The music was good and there was a baby dedication as well.  When the pastor called all the family up for the dedication about twenty-five percent of the whole church came up. 

Pastor Troy did an excellent job preaching on the heart and that not having our hearts right with the Lord is the root of so many problems.  We read much Scripture together and Pastor Troy was definitely filled with passion and energy.  He invited congregational participation and he sure got it!  At some point during the sermon he mentioned the membership being around 1,200. 

We went to the the early service and it was pretty much packed out.  As we were driving away Denise said would look forward to a return visit here some day.

Morningside Baptist Church - 11/20/2011

I guess the second time is the charm.  Last Sunday (11/13) we were on our way to Morningside, as a matter of fact were less than a mile away, when Denise began to feel really sick.  It was so bad that we turned around before getting to the church and headed right back home.  This Sunday we had no such episode and actually arrived ten minutes early.  Many times we take a few pictures of the church and specifically the church sign before we go in lest we forget on our way out. 

 After doing this I noticed what looked like someone I know from the Fire Department going in with his son.  As we approached the door we were happily greeted by several folks.  Once inside I inquired about Sunday School and a nice young man took us to our class...the one his dad was teaching.  I generally like to go to separate classes when we visit a church for several reasons but this day we would be in a couples' class together.  Mark Cowan was the teacher and he did a fine job with the lesson coming out of  the book of Hebrews, chapter 3.  Small world; Mark, who works for Sexton Welding Supplies, is the driver that delivered the welding supplies to where my wife used to work, so they knew each other.  There were some prayer concerns mentioned and then Mark prayed for every couple in the class. 

After class we made our way to the sanctuary and on the way I saw Erick (the guy from the fire department) in the hallway and spoke with him for a minute.  As we gathered to worship we saw and spoke with Darin and Christian Lightfoot who had recently been out to Camp Macoba with a group of youth from the church.  If you have never heard Darin and Christian sing it is quite a treat and I presently have their CD in my CD-player right now and have for the last month!  I guessed seating for about 200 here and noticed how really clean the place was.  Many of the churches we go into their size have from 50 - 75% elderly membership but this was not the case here.  It appeared to be around 40%.  There was also a first here for me....the pastor was actually part of the praise/team/band.  He sang and played the guitar.  The worship music was good led by Darin and Christian.  I meant to say something to the guy on the drums who did a great job as well. 

 

Brother Marty brought a message out of Daniel and really challenged the congregation.  This appeared to be one in a series of messages entitled, Courage Under Fire.  He spoke a lot about priorities and courage.  He held my attention the whole time, though it was a familiar message, by the way he communicated the scripture to the congregation.  This was the first time we had ever set foot into Morningside and I was looking forward to our visit as Brother Ron Lynch had told me good things about Brother Marty and the church.  I look forward to another visit in the future.

Neeley's Chapel Baptist Church - 11/6/2011

Neely's Chapel was our choice on this beautiful Sunday morning.  I met Pastor Lamar McGriff a few weeks ago when he decided to have a church outing at Camp MACOBA.  As a matter of fact, his memory seems to recall that he was the first one to bring a group up to the camp somewhere around 43 years ago.  What makes the number 43 stick out is that is how long he has been married and he believes the trip occured shortly after that time. 

We showed up at the church a little early as it was not as far from our place as I thought.  Pastor Lamar was there and greeted us with open arms.  He tells me that years ago the church used to be located where Patterson Road Baptist is today (off Oscar Patterson) and they moved because of constant flooding since the church sat right by the creek. 

This morning everyone started off in the sanctuary for general assembly time, where Brother Rayford led everyone in a song, we read a passage from 1 Peter 3, and then prayed together.  We were then dismissed and everyone went to their Sunday School Classes.  Denise and I decided to stay in the sanctuary where the adults our age seemed to be.  The song leader, Brother Rayford, taught the class from Acts 13:13-42 and did a very good job.  He asked how many had brought their Bibles and how many had read Scripture during the week.  I remember when all churches used to track things like this in Sunday School.  

Once the class was over we remained where we were and probably spoke to and shook hands with most everyone in the church.  Brother Lamar had told me earlier that we just might be the first from the MBA to visit the church and asked if I would speak a few minutes telling about what I do and about the Camp.  I did and hope everyone is a little more informed now.  Once the choir was through leading us in worship, the song leader asked if there was anyone else who wanted to sing this morning.  A couple relatively new to the church got up and the gentleman sang while his wife played the piano.  They both did a very good job. 

Brother Lamar brought a great message from the Book of John, chapter seven about the power of words; God's Word, specifically.  It really reminded me of some things.  He told Denise as we were leaving, that he'd had spent the week preparing a different sermon, but that on Saturday, the Lord spoke to his heart and gave him a different word, so to speak.  It was definitely a God-breathed message.

I saw this framed on the wall in the corner and found it very interesting. 

Next to it was probably an antique and something my kids' generation have never seen . . . it's even been awhile for me. 

I heard someone make a comment about there never being a problem in the church there.  We had a great morning of fellowship and worship and look forward to returning again in the future.

Bethlehem Baptist Church - 9/11/2011

Prior to today I had never been to a service at Betheleham Baptist in Hazel Green.  I make the specific reference to Hazel Green because we also have a Betheleham Baptist in Laceys' Spring. 

We were greeted by many different folks as we found our way to the main entrance--which was clearly marked I might add.  We chose to attend the 9:15 worship which was contemporary and very good.  I especially liked the song the praise team performed while the offering plate was being passed, "All My Tears".  A little something different here was that the worship leader was also the lead guitar player.  He did a great job!

We shook hands and were welcomed by many, including Pastor Lon.  Speaking of Pastor Lon, he and some other men have really helped us out in the past at Camp MACOBA, with mowing and some weedeating.  One time that I know of, he put on a pair of waders and got in the pond so he could get a better angle at trimming back some trees that had become overgrown. 

His message was a very evangelistic one and came out of the sixth chapter of Ephesians ... this man does not seem to lack passion! 

After the service we made our way to Barry and Myra's Sunday School class, where I met Steve Farrow coming out.  I really like Steve and he too has been up at the camp and we've also had lunch together.  He is also the one who recommended this particular class. The class was on the topic of marriage and family.  My guess is there were about 50 folks (generally couples) in the class with a pretty wide age span.  Both Barry and Myra did a great job and there seemed to be a good spirit residing there.  I look forward to another visit in the future! 

Farley Community Church - 8/21/2011

What a great time we had at Farley Community Church this past Sunday.  The last time I had visited with Brother Dave the church parking lot had not been paved.  A few years ago we spent an afternoon together because I was anxious to hear the story of how the church got started.  What a great story it is with God

getting all the glory! 

The more I get to know Pastor Dave the more I like him.  I remember back several years ago seeing him for the first time -- singing with his brother at Shocco Springs for a Sunday School conference.  They were very good.  When we arrived, we were greeted by several friendly folks and Brother Dave led us to a Sunday School Class right after he got out of morning worship.  It was a great class and the teacher, Alan Nelson, did a marvelous job with the Word and life application.

We did not arrive in time for the traditional service so we stayed for the contemporary one which also was great and packed out!  It would seem that Brother Dave has a great team of leaders here at Farley as God continues to do a wonderful work.  We look forward to coming back here in the future.

Brownsboro Baptist Church - 7/31/2011

Sunday morning Denise and I had the privilege of visiting Brownsboro Baptist Church, located off Highway 72 in Brownsboro -- right next to Madison County High School.  I'd heard great things about Brother Joseph Cooper's preaching and have served with him on the Association's leadership team for the last couple of years.  And while I would not say we were real close friends (yet), I would certainly consider him a friend.  He has a great sense of humor, is very passionate about discipleship and fun to be around. 

Our visit to Brownsboro Baptist was the first time I had ever heard him preach and this soft spoken man was bold in the pulpit!  He brought a great message and pulled no punches.  It is very good to my heart to see that in the next generation of Preachers coming up there are some who can really bring it. 

Not sure what I was expecting from Worship but both Denise and I were very pleased.  I noticed a guy playing the mandelin and a young man on the elecric drums.  The choir loft was full and the singers did a great job on the special of Amazing Grace.

The church had good mixture of folks age-wise.  Sunday School was good with all the men making me feel very welcomed.  I noticed right before the Worship service started that the sanctionary was 80% full.....hmmm, maybe good things are going on out at Brownsboro Baptist Church!  :)  

Oakley Baptist Church - 7/24/2011

A couple of weeks ago I was having lunch with Brother Harold Sellers when the subject of who would be the next church in our pathway came up.  It might have been me who brought it up.  Anyway, I asked Harold if he knew anything about Oakley Baptist, which is only about 10 or 15 minutes from Camp MACOBA.  Without hesitation he replied that it was a great church and he loved the folks there.  He went on to say, if my memory serves me correctly, that if he lived out that way he would attend there. 

 This past Sunday we had the pleasure of visiting Oakley Baptist Church and it was a wonderful experience.  The pastor there is Brother Charlie Hammons and we were warmly welcomed by him and his wife, Judy.  Brother Charlie has been the pastor of the Oakley congregation for ten years, not including two years as interim pastor.  I had heard great things about Brother Charlie but had never met him before.  The church itself has been there for over a hundred years -- since the late 1800's.  Brother Charlie showed me a picture of the church that at one time had been facing a different direction and was picked up and turned around when the main road changed many years ago.  A new educational wing has been built in his tenure.

As always we attended both Sunday School and worship, and both were very good.  I did see a familiar face while I was there and that was Brother Louis Rickets.  He has helped out with some projects at the camp from time to time and as a matter of fact brought his bulldozier out in the spring to help clear out some brush.  Mr. Rickets said there was only one other person who had been attending the church there longer than him.  It was good to see him again.    Everyone was very welcoming and friendly.  I was in a mixed SS class where Brother Sonny Bryant was the teacher and did a fine job.  During the worship time he and his wife sang a couple of special songs while he played the guitar and she played the banjo.  As we were leaving we received many invitations for next Sunday's Fifth Sunday Sing and the potluck dinner to follow.  I can almost smell the chicken frying right now!