PNN 4.25.09

Pastor’s News and Notes

April 25, 2009

¹ Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him. (Psalm 91;1,2, NLT)

PRAYER FOCUS

Church for this week: (4/20/09) Graham Chapel – Preston and Donna Edmonds

Church for next week: (4/27/09) Greenville, First – Steve and Kimi Stanley

Church for the next week: (5/04/09) Greenwood – Kenny and Cheryl Smith

· Men’s Retreat – April 25-27 at Springmaid Resort in Myrtle Beach

· Mrs. Virgie Milstead, mother of Rev. Don Milstead (Trinity) has been hospitalized in Gastonia, NC, recently and is being moved to hospice care.

· Rev. James Ramsay is continuing to recuperate from his blood clot condition.

· Rachel Harding, mother of Tom Harding, (FWC/ALIVE) continues to be under treatment as the doctors further diagnose her health problems.

· Mr. Stancell McWhite, grandfather of Matt Rhodes (Spiritual Formation Department), passed away and the funeral was held last weekend.

· Mrs. Bob Cooley (Norma) is undergoing treatment for her breast cancer.

· Rev. Ray Lewis (Retired) is now in rehabilitation following surgery for a broken hip.

· Rev. Michael Stepp (Carlisle) is back in the pulpit following his back surgery.

· Mrs. Herbert Taylor (Carolyn) is continuing her chemo for cancer.

· Continue to pray for the physical needs of Rev. Darlene Teague.

· Pray for Mrs. Chet Rowan (Kathy) whose treatment for MS continues.

· The families of Saul Rodriguez, Jimmy Williams, and Beulah Groves.

· Brian Hall, son of Richard and Sharon Hall (Eden) who is in Iraq.

· South Coastal DS Dan Berry and his wife, Shelley http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/danshelleyberry.

What’s Been Happening

I continue to hear good reports about what God is doing in our churches this month – Salvations, baptisms, and new members received are encouraging signs. I know that several have and are participating in the SpringLife emphasis sponsored by the Spiritual Formation and E & CG Departments of the denomination.

Last week involved several meetings with pastors and others. On Tuesday morning, the Leadership Team (DS and Assistants) met to discuss and pray for both district and personal concerns. I enjoy immensely the privilege of working with these colleagues and our times of meeting each month.  Joan and I attended the BYF Luncheon at the SWU campus on Tuesday. It was a delight to see some of you and a special treat to hear and visit with Dr. Clifton Wood and his bride, Ernie Parker Wood. These are long-standing colleagues and people who have served as role models from our early ministry. Thanks to Glenda Hoyle, BYF Director, for her leadership of this district ministry.

On Tuesday evening, we kept our grandson, Will, so that his parents could attend the Caroline’s Promise banquet. We had a terrific evening at the Fluor Field in Greenville watching the Greenville Drive baseball team. It had been a rather busy and full day, but also a very good one since it was my birthday.

On Wednesday through Saturday, our Church Planter Assessment Center (CPAC) was in operation at Table Rock. While I had few specific responsibilities, I did give it some of my time and attention. This is such an important component and tool in our becoming a missional district. Our thanks go to our facilitators, Genetta Herrera and Jim Wood, who traveled in from Kansas,  and our assessing team which included Matt Rampey, Coordinator; Phil and Martha Faye Baily, Paul and Sandi DiToma, Steve Stanley, Jon Brady, Wade Rogers, Tim Jones.  Joan also gave lots of hours in a support role. We are already seeing some very strong potential from those who were assessed.

After the final exit interview of the April 2009 CPAC was completed, Joan and I left for Beaufort to attend the Dedication Service and Launch weekend for Healing Waters Wesleyan Church. I am providing a link on our district website for an article (addtional pictures are linked here as well) that was distributed earlier this week and is now on the denomination website. Thanks again to those of you who have helped to make this church possible. Continue to pray for Pastor Brenda Singleton and Jeff as they provide leadership for this our newest congregation.

As I complete this week’s PNN, I will be leaving within a few hours to participate in the district Wesleyan Men’s retreat at Myrtle Beach. Please pray for the retreat. Springmaid Beach Resort, the site of this year’s retreat, is at the opposite end of the Grand Strand from the devastating fires raging in the North Myrtle Beach area.  These are the worst forest fires in more than 30 years in South Carolina. Our church at Little River has not been directly affected, but they seeking to reach out to those who are impacted by this devastation.

I pray that this last Sunday of the district year will be marked by the presence and power of the Risen Lord in our services.

Believing in each other,

Pastor Buddy

News and Information

Work Week at Table Rock – May 18-23. Come for a day, a few days or the week . . . our treat!   Landscaping, repairs, painting and more are waiting for you and it will be great fellowship working together. Pastors, please announce this and make plans now to bring a group with you.  If these dates do not work due to other schedules at your churches, you may make arrangements to bring a group at other times by calling Greg Hayes, Camp Manager, at 864-878-2792.

Pastor Patrick Gué gave this report of the First Anniversary services at First Haitian Evangelical Wesleyan Church: “We had a big attendance for this weekend.  On Friday 25 adults and 10 children; on Saturday, 40 adults and 12 children; on Sunday more than 125 people including 25 children attended the anniversary service.  The Haitian Anderson Church was there with us plus a Haitian Baptist church from Charlotte, North Carolina was there, too.  A lot of people from Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida worshiped with us.  Ten American people were with us.”        –

Quote for the Week

I will leave the city. The throne is the Lord’s. So is the kingdom. I will not hinder God. No obstacle, no activity on my part lies between me and God’s will. Nothing will prevent him from accomplishing his will. If I am not to be king, God will find no difficulty in making Absalom to be Israel’s king. Now it is possible. God will be God!”

– From a A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards (Tyndale House, 1991), a book that has been in my “to read” section for 3½ years and finally read during my Day Alone with God this week.  It is a study in brokenness using Saul, David and Absalom as examples.  The book is definitely worth much more than the hour+ I spent reading it.

Humor for the Week

George Phillips, an elderly man from Meridian, Mississippi, was going up to bed when his wife told him that he’d left the light on in the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom window. George opened the back door to go turn off the light, but saw that there were people in the shed stealing things.
He phoned the police, who asked “Is someone in your house?”
He said “No, but some people are breaking into my garden shed and stealing from me.”
Then the police dispatcher said “All patrols are busy. You should lock your doors and an officer will be along when one is available.”
George said, “Okay.”
He hung up the phone and counted to 30.
Then he phoned the police again.
“Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people stealing things from my shed. Well, you don’t have to worry about them now because I just shot them,” and he hung up.
Within five minutes, six Police Cars, a SWAT Team, a Helicopter, two Fire Trucks, a Paramedic, and an Ambulance showed up at the Phillips’ residence and caught the burglars red-handed.
One of the Policemen said to George, “I thought you said that you’d shot them!”
George said, “I thought you said there was nobody available!”

(True Story – Moral:  Don’t mess with older people!)