Wow! Talk about eye-popping beauty! The azaleas and dogwood trees were at their best during our visit to Alabama.
This was our fourth visit to Trinity UMC in Opelika and was a fantastic time of renewal. Their pastor, Rev. Joe Lay, is relatively new to the church in Opelika, but is doing a fantastic job there. Earl Ballard is the associate pastor there. He and I attended Asbury Seminary together in the 70’s. He has served in Opelika since graduating from seminary. I believe it was his first appointment. It was great being with him and his wife, Susan, again. Things are really hopping in the church’s ministry to children and young families. They have just completed a fantastic youth facility. It was set up with everything a teenager or young adult would want–a coffee house, games, flat screen television and a state of the art worship area. They opened and dedicated that facility right after the revival.
I was really impressed with the level of preparation for this renewal event. It was evident from the start that there had been a great foundation of prayer laid. The altar was filled at the close of each service, and God was doing a powerful thing in many hearts. Many prayers were answered in our time there. Here is what was posted in their newsletter after the meeting. “A wonderful experience was had by all with Wesley & Felicia Putnam last week at RENEW 2008! God used Wesley in a mighty way, not only through his music and his enjoyable way of sharing the truth of the Scriptures, but also through BibleQuest for the children. Sunday-Wednesday, Wes brought the Word alive with his anointed and relevant preaching. His messages overflowed with warmth and humor, showing us that Scripture does connect with the struggles that all of us share.”
Pray that God will fan and keep the flame of revival alive.