Like many of its counterparts in years past, this year’s January has come and gone.

January arrived with holidays and a few slower days. But that gave me plenty of time for catching up office work and phone calls.

On the first Sunday of the year (01/07), we were blessed to be in attendance for the Sunday morning worship service at West Sunny Side Community Church, here in Griffin. Pastor Fitzpatrick and the staff always lead an excellent worship service. It was great to see many familiar faces and have lunch with friends.

Later in that first week, on Thursday (01/11), I was able to attend a stirring worship service at North Griffin CH Church. Pastor Gene Luke hosted a leadership conference. It was great to hear Pastor Kenny Morris preaching once again.

Sunday morning (01/14) found me driving to Alto, Georgia to be in service with The River CH Church and Pastor Jeryle Roach. It was my pleasure to represent Mission USA and my privilege to preach the morning message. This congregation is always a blessing to worship with.

Later in that second week, on Thursday (01/18), we held our CHC Headquarters Chapel Service. Pastor Tommy Smith of Pike County AG ministered a stirring message to our small gathering. Afterwards, we hosted a meeting of the Pentecostal Ministerial Fellowship.

On Saturday morning (01/20), I attended the CHC Central Georgia District Conference, here in Griffin. District Superintendent Hugh Smith chaired this business meeting with wisdom. During this meeting, we were also blessed with a heartwarming message by Pastor Gene Luke. Afterwards, we enjoyed a good lunch with the staff of Strong Tower Ministries.

Except for the first Saturday of the month, every Saturday and Sunday in January was filled with fellowship meals with ministry couples. It’s a delight to also share in times of mutual encouragement with ministry minded people.

On Sunday morning (01/21), we drove down towards Juliette, Georgia and attended the morning worship service at New Beginning Pentecostal Church. Pastor Cody Fountain provided an enthusiastic word from Heaven. Later that day, we visited the Sunday evening worship service at Living Waters CH Church, led by Pastor Don Sansbury.

Early Monday morning (01/22) I dropped off Rev. Scotty Poole, our World Missions Executive Director, at the airport for his morning flight. And on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, I was blessed to assist the English family in moving. They are in pastoral transition and moving from our Central Georgia District to the North Georgia District.

Friday morning (01/26) began with a trip to Jacksonville, Alabama. There, I was blessed to officiate a funeral service for Mr. Robert Higgins. From there, we traveled on to Murrayville, Georgia where we lodged with our friends Hayward and Donna Clark for two nights.

On Saturday morning (01/27), I attended the CHC North Georgia District Conference, hosted at Bethesda Fellowship CH Church. District Superintendent Mike Spence and his presbytery did a good job with this meeting. It was a blessing to represent Mission USA and spend time with so many gifted men and women. During lunch, I was able to sit and chat with some of the wisest saints among us: Reverends Raymond Duncan, Vernon Wilson, Hugh Skelton, and Louise Skelton.

Later that Saturday evening, we were meal guests at the beautiful home of Pastor Jimmy Peck. He and Sister Carolyn were terrific hosts, and they fed us too much good food.

In the scenic area of Dahlonega, Georgia, we worshiped with Welcome Worship Center for their Sunday morning (01/28) worship service. This was their final service before moving into their newly built sanctuary. It was my joy to provide the morning sermon.

Monday evening (01/29), we did something new at the headquarters office. We held a small Bible study just for our spiritual nourishment. It turned out to be a great time of sharing one with another around the wisdom of God’s word.

All of these activities were just the highlights. They don’t include the many office hours, phone calls, and other forms of interaction that come along with serving others. It’s a burden and a privilege to serve the Lord by working with His people.

May the Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again – here, there, or in the air.