Week In Review

This week has been busy but special. It all started Sunday with the baptism of our son, Jared, along with five other children and one adult. Jared had shared with his mother and I some time ago that he was ready to be baptized and that he understood what Jesus had done for him. Needless to say, we were excited and proceeded to ask him questions to be on the safe side. Sure enough, he understood fully what this decision entailed, to which we were past elated to notify the family in order for them to share in this monumental moment. Baptizing your child is an indescribable yet humbling experience. If you ever had the privilege then you can attest to my sentiment. Here are a few photos compliments of Brother Richard Armstrong.

That afternoon, after a spiritually charged day of worship, praise and congratulation, we retired home to share a delicious meal with the family before most of them returned to my native, Gary, IN. I recall my son asking me in a private one on one moment if I was proud of him. Choking back tears, I quickly reassured him that I was, and reminded him of my love for him, and that following Jesus was the best decision he will ever make in his life.

The following morning, I got in the car and drove to Indianapolis to attend the 152nd Annual Session of the Indiana Missionary Baptist State Convention & Its Auxiliaries Inc. This convention was co-hosted by our President, Dr. Wayne L. Moore and the Olivet Missionary Baptist Church (olivetmbc.org) and Pastor Gary Sellars and Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church (mountpleasantmbc.org). I had already missed a couple of days (Saturday and Sunday) due to a wedding and our son’s baptism, so I wanted to make an appearance the last three days (Monday thru Wednesday) since I serve as 1st Vice President. It was a great session unlike any I’ve attended in recent years. I was pleased to see a strong showing of GSJ members. While there, we were graced with the presence of Dr. R. L. White Jr., Pastor of Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia (mtephraim.com). He was in town spending time with his brother who is a member of our convention.

Dr. White addressed our convention and was a blessing to us all. We were able to get a copy of his recent book “Negro-ology”- Understanding Polity in the African American Church. Even though he was not there to promote his book, he secured copies at the request of our president. If you get a chance, grab a copy and add it to your library. It is quite informative and revolutionary.

I was also scheduled to preach on Tuesday, the same day as my wedding anniversary and my wife and I were in different cities. While it was difficult for us to be apart due to my convention obligations, we more than made up for it when I returned home. I thank God everyday for a supportive wife who continues to make sacrifices for my ministry. We mutually agreed that we will watch our schedules a little more closely to ensure that this doesn’t happen in the future.

Well, I must leave you now. Thanks for allowing me to share a brief synopsis of my week. Thanks for your indulgence. God Bless!!!