Gospel Mission in South Haven, Mississippi

It never ceases to amaze me how unique each traveling experience is.   There are no two experiences that are the same.  Before I go on let me say that I'm appreciative to Woodrow, a minister's minister, for yeilding himself to be to me what Epaphraditus was to Paul (Phil 2:25).  (Be looking for his up-coming book on armorbearing: ministering to the minister).  Thus I share with you the unique yet spirit-lifting experience that I had in South Haven Mississippi.   Tre Beard, the minister of the newly established North West church of Christ was a gracious.  Tre, an ambitious, zealous and courageous young minister and his wife Darlisha took on the challenging and enormous task of establishing a congregation from ground zero.   It's one thing to begin with a congregation after it has already been established for a time; but to exert energy and toil in establishing a congregation with little resources and humble beginnings is not only an act of courage but an act of faith.   This meeting was part of the mission of the continued establishment of this congregation.  Brother Beard, along with Brother Jeffrey Bohana, of Ripley MS,  pushed, publicized and solicited support for this event.  Because the Northwest Church meets at a storefront that seats approximately 40 people they appealed to the Goodman Oaks church (a larger congregation - predominately Anglo) to utilize their building for this event during the week.   On Sunday they were allowed to utilize the facilities of the Sandyridge Congregation in Olive Branch.  Many people may call these arrangements inconvenient, however, Tre Beard and the Northwest church were willing to do what they had to do without complaint.  The meeting was well attended.  It was very well supported by other Congregations in that area and other ministers;  Terry Wallace, Jimmy Stokes, Jeremy Flowers, Gary Young, Jeff Bohana, Jackie Rodgers just to name a few.    The weekend that the meeting started was marked by a gospel concert to which the Mountain View Choir was invited to sing.   That Sunday upon leaving Mississippi, (at least about 30 miles out),  the old faithful church bus which carried the precious choir cargo from Dallas broke down due to bad gasoline.  


  The Mountain View group rested at a truck stop for upwards of 15 hours WITHOUT COMPLAINT till a charter bus carried them to Dallas.    What an experience!!!   I was very encouraged by my home congregation that they were content even in their discomfort.   Special thanks to Brother Jackson, Woodrow, Stokes and Bohanna for their efforts to make the situation as comfortable as possible.   
Anyway, I commend the Northwest church for their vision.   Sight says we're just a seed... vision says we're a garden.  Sight says we have a store front... vision says this won't be able to hold us soon.   Sight says we're limited on what we can do... vision says our eyes have not seen and our ears have not heard what the Lord has in store for us.    God Bless you Northwest Church... for going beyond sight and having vision.   I'm soooooo full of anticipation of what the Lord is going to do with you.  Keep going and growing.    Tre Beard... Stay Fired up!!!! 

P.S. -  Rosemary (Mother Hen) -  The fried chicken was Ecclesiastically Delectable!!