Paul said to the good church in Philippi: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are just, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just,, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:8). I don’t know what he would have written after fifteen years of association, but those words are certainly appropriate.

It was August, 1989, when a preacher who had just turned 53 arrived in Lakeland with his wife and a daughter who was entering the tenth grade. Now,  fifteen years later (lacking two months) that preacher and his wife are moving to north Alabama to work with a small church and to be near family. We will be about thirty minutes from Byron and two hours from Randy and Allen.

As I think back over the years of work together, there are some things that brought heartache, but most of them bring joy in remembrance. After about eight months, we had seventeen people who decided that, because of old unresolved animosities, they would leave the congregation. Not long afterward the spirit of the church began to change. There was growth in love, consideration and concern for one another, and generally that spirit has continued to grow.

One great contributor to the spirit of the congregation was when it sent me to Romania for the first time. I had never had any desire to go to a foreign country to work, but the circumstances arose for a need to go to Romania. It was intended to be a month’s stay but was shortened by the sudden passing of Jill, and I only stayed for ten days.

Since then, the church has sent me seven more times to Romania and once Joyce and I also went to Hungary for two weeks and another she and I also went to Bulgaria for a week’s work. In my opinion, this interest and involvement in foreign evangelism has contributed to the evangelistic spirit of the congregation. About thirty of our members have been to other countries to work for the Lord and the local work is not left only to the preacher. Many are doing what they ought to be doing in teaching Christ to people locally.

In October, 1994, elders were appointed for the first time and last year two more elders were added. The present eldership (Phares Acuff, Larry Blackwelder, Richard Hill and Alex Young) are strong in their emphasis on spiritual growth. The elders have been alternating  in preparing itineraries for the monthly elders meetings and the first matter of discussion is the spiritual problems of the flock and plans for dealing with those problems.

The elders meet quarterly with the good group of deacons that we have. These men make great contributions to the work of this congregation. One (David Townsend) will soon be moving, and this will leave a major job to be covered by someone else, but someone will step up and fill the need. Again, this church will not falter because the preacher, or other members move away. When men are committed to the Lord and His cause, the needs will be met.

The elders are actively considering who will preach here after I leave. Some have wondered how the next man will be received, but my explanation and conviction is that those who have supported me in the teaching of the truth will support the next man who teaches the same truth. The church is at peace, the elders are respected because of their diligent work and the members are committed to growing spiritually and numerically, and I am confident that these will continue.

Next year (Feb.), I am speaking on the lectures at Florida College on the subject of the church’s treasury. You can be sure that this congregation will be part of that presentation. The elders, with the support of the members, use the Lord’s money to do the Lord’s work and are not in the banking business. In addition to the local preacher, ten other men are supported a total of $5,500 each month.  In September the church will have the building loan paid and more will be available for evangelism, which is the primary mission of the church.

We have lived longer here than anywhere, and you will always have a special place on our hearts for all the support and encouragement you have given us. “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous” (1 Pet. 3:8).