07/06/2025
I thought of our church this morning and could not help but thank God for Linda and Missy Matthews. They are both in Florida serving the Lord and making a major difference as did Linda's Husband and Missy's father - "Buck" Matthews. Buck made a major difference in Kingdom work. He was faithful to Linda. He was a faithful father to Missy. He had integrity in the business world as well. That was always because Buck loved Jesus more than anyone. I watched as he brought his family to church each week and watched how God used him in the local church. When in the perfect timing of God, Tans Bay Baptist reached out to Buck and asked him to be their pastor. He labored literally until the time that God came and freed him to go home to glory! Bi-vocational Ministry was filled with serving others and teaching those under his care about the things of God in the Bible. It was a delight to see him ordained and used of God here at our blessed Tans Bay.
I also remember calling Craig Tedder who is preaching for us today at 11 a.m.. In 1992 Craig gave his heart to Christ and became a forgiven fully vested Child of God under the ministry of Rev. Howard Allen at South Florence Baptist Church. While God reached out to claim Craig as his child, God overwhelmingly approved to anoint Craig as a Minister of the Gospel at Coward Baptist Church in Coward, SC. He faithfully picked up the Word of God and preached the Word of God to them and served at Coward Baptist until he retired after 25 years of ministry. He and his wife Beverly still live in our community and they both enjoy the delight of five grandchildren and he continues to fill in when pulpit needs are present. He was so gracious to agree to come and preach for us this morning in my absence.
I think of my friend Jimmy Lee and his dear wife Suzanne who were to gracious to say, "Yes, Jesus!" involving both his Salvation and his call into ministry in the local church in Florence County. Side-by-side Jimmy and Suzanne landed in that area of ministry both to preach the Word as a pastor but also, as a pastor, to come along side other ministers who would utilize his calling and gifts to support that work together. It was a joy to watch him grow spiritually and then to put my own hands on his head to set him apart to the gospel ministry. Talk about! Jimmy may have been one who was able to fix your automotive needs as a mechanic and then find himself preaching with stained and cut hands of a mechanic as he will this very day outside the Pamplico Community as a bi-vocational gospel preacher. God needed Jimmy to preach and he said to God, "Here am I, send me!" and God did a great work there.
That is just three I picked out of the 50 years of my own ministry. I could tell you of many who were longing to serve the Lord like Elbert Smith and Ed Brown. Unique ministry for unique a unique pastor who meet with a unique group of people who, too, long to be all that they can be for the Lord. God uses these me all the time to make a major difference.
It was just one of those moments. I praise Him for His faithful work among the people using the gifts and abilities as God so wishes. Praise His Holy Name!
