June Update —-
June was a month where Felicia was able to stay home while I traveled. She was busy finishing an heirloom christening gown for our granddaughter, Rachel Anne, daughter of Philip and Holly. It turned out beautifully. Felicia’s first attempt at smocking looks like she’s been doing it all her life. It’s a work of art.
I started the month in Lubbock at the meeting of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference, where I sang for the “Good News Fellowship”. It was great seeing so many old friends from churches I’ve ministered in all over the conference.
I left there and drove back to northeast Louisiana, where we attended the Mangum family reunion. Felicia’s family has met now for 52 years. This year they honored her dad, who died in 1978. It was great for our grandchildren to hear the stories about their great-grandfather.
I drove from there to Rotan, TX. for a Dayspsring. Danny Cochran is doing a great job there as pastor. He is bi-vocational, serving also as an administrator in the school system in Sweetwater, TX. He has a deep love for the Lord and for the people in Rotan. The BibleQuest was great. One of the things that struck me was the racial diversity we had among the children. Blacks, hispanics, and whites were all having fun and learning together in the church. It looked a little like what heaven will be. The kids had a great time and learned lots of Bible verses. The evening services were enthusiastic and well attended. Click here to see the BibleQuest medal winners.
Later in the month, I flew to Hale, MI, just south of Lake Huron. I had never held a meeting in this part of Michigan. While Texas was sweltering in mid-90’s temperatures, we were in the 60’s and 70’s. How refreshing. This area is known as the land of 60 lakes. There is water everywhere and the foliage is lush. Four churches in the area, United Methodist, Baptist, Assembly of God, and Catholic, all united together for renewal in their community and sponsored the event. We met in the high school auditorium. Everyone was so excited about the way the meeting turned out. People from all over the community turned out to see what was going on at the school. We had great music from choirs, groups, and individuals from the sponsoring churches. BibleQuest went well. The kids memorized hundreds of verses and had great fun doing it. The women of the community baked hundreds of dozens of cookies that the kids had no problem devouring. Click here to see the picture of the medal winners.
Thanks so much for praying for us as we travel. I will be in Ceta Canyon in early July for Elementary One-Way Camp in the Northwest Texas Annual Conference. This will be my 26th consecutive year as a storyteller in that conference. There will be over 300 fourth, and fifth graders there. I’m excited to have the honor of ministering to these kids.
The last ministry opportunity before our sabbatical in Kentucky begins will be the United Methodist Men’s Congress at Purdue University in Lafayette, IN. I will be leading worship at this event. Over 4000 men are expected to be in attendance. Can you imagine what the worship will be like!
Please keep us in your prayers. We will be leaving for Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY, on July 24th, and will be there through the end of December. Pray that these five months will be a time of refreshing and healing. Pray that we will hear clearly from God and that He will meet our financial needs during these months off the road. If you would like to contribute online, click here.
We are so grateful that we have friends who love us enough to pray. We want to be available to pray for any needs you might have as well. Please let us know how we can be interceding for you.