A First For Me

Yesterday, I experienced a first in the ministry. Things were going along in our Sunday worship service when all of the sudden, the service gets “hijacked” by one of the deacons. He made his way to the stage with a microphone in hand and proceeds to take over the service for a moment.

Now, some of you reading this may be getting worried. I have to admit that for a split second as this whole ordeal took place, I was a little worried. When I realized who it was that had the microphone, I then realized what was going on… or at least I thought I did.

October has been set aside as Pastor Appreciation Month. Who set this up, I have no clue. I had heard rumblings that the deacons were in the process of putting a video together of church members expressing their appreciation to our church’s pastoral staff. I had no clue what all they had been up to though.

Each of the pastors of our church was brought to the front of the church along with their families. The praise team then led the congregation in singing a prayer over the pastors and their families. That experience was very humbling. We are told many times that we are being prayed for, but to hear the prayers… in song form… I have to admit, it touched my heart.

If that weren’t enough, there was a gift given to each of the pastors with the instructions to use it to have a night out with the wife on the church. They had even set up childcare for whenever it is needed. This spoke volumes to me as it was a reminder that we need to make sure that we are taking care of the first “congregation” that God has given us – our families, especially our spouse.

I am still trying to gather myself from this experience. It touched my family in a deep way. I love our faith family. I wouldn’t trade them for the world. It is encouraging to know that as we serve the Lord here, we are not alone in the fight. I would encourage you to make sure that you let your pastor(s) know what they mean to you and how much you appreciate them. Don’t let it be just a hashtag or once a year thing. The work that God has called us to is a good work. It is demanding though. The appreciation that is voiced and demonstrated helps pastors in the good work.

Thank you, FBC Fulton, for the ways that you love my family. I can’t wait to see what it is that God is up to in our midst!

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Pastor Appreciation 2019

The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

1 Timothy 5:17 CSB

Being a pastor is one of the toughest things that a person can be called to do… rewarding but at times, tough. I have had the privilege of serving the Lord and His church in a pastoral role since 1998. I know beyond the shadow of any doubt that this is what I am supposed to do – preach the Word and lead God’s people.

As October has been designated as Pastor Appreciation Month, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to show a little appreciation to some of the pastors that God has/is using in my life and the life of my family. When a man is in the trenches of ministry, appreciation is not always easily found. I certainly would not want these men of God to go through this month without knowing that I am forever grateful for them.

Joey Savell

I would have to start with the man that I will always consider as my first pastor, Joey Savell. Joey has been in ministry since 1974. He currently serves as the Lead Pastor at Pineview Baptist Church in Harvest, Alabama.

It was under the ministry of Joey that I was first discipled in the Lord. Though we came from very different sides of the tracks, Joey saw something within me that was worth taking under his wing and pouring into. This man has been in my corner since the beginning of my ministry journey. I will forever be grateful to this man for the passion that he has for Jesus and people coming to know Him in a real and personal way.

Dr. Stan Lewis

The next pastor that I would like to show my appreciation to is Dr. Stan Lewis. I was first introduced to Dr. Lewis as a seminary professor while I was working on my MDiv through NOBTS. He was a great teacher in the classroom, but I would soon find out that there was much more to this man.

Dr. Lewis brought me to FBC Birmingham, Alabama as a Pastor of Student Ministry at a time when I was really struggling. He was very open and honest that the position would not be easy as the church had been through the wringer prior to both of our arrivals. He helped me to see what patience in ministry looks like. It was also this man that God used to steer my ministry course from student ministry towards being a Lead Pastor. His encouragement and friendship have been something that I have cherished since we met.

Brad Kerr

The next pastor I would like to show some appreciation to is Brad Kerr. Brad serves on the pastoral staff team at FBC Fulton alongside me. He oversees the music ministry, children’s ministry, and so much more.

Brad has a passion for Christ like few that I have met before. This guy really wants to do all things for the glory of His Lord, Jesus. His passion to lead his family to be disciple-making disciples is so encouraging. It was Brad and his family that took us in when we first moved to Fulton and a “Snowmageddon” came our way on our first weekend.

Ben Clay

The final pastor that I would like to express appreciation to in this post is the one and only, Ben Clay. Ben serves as the Associate Pastor of Students and Outreach at FBC Fulton alongside me. Ben has a passion for people (especially students) to know the Lord. He is a hard-worker and faithful in the preaching of God’s Word whether it is with students or in the pulpit on a Sunday morning. I am very honored to call this guy a teammate in ministry here in Fulton. I appreciate his quirky humor and the passion for people to know the Lord in a personal way that he brings to the table.

If the Lord has blessed you with some faithful pastors, then I would strongly encourage you to take the time to show your appreciation. It might be a little note, but gift cards and gifts are also nice – just saying. The ones that God calls out and who serve faithfully are definitely worthy of double honor. I would also encourage you to not just express your appreciation once a year. You may never know how much of a blessing a simple “thank you for what you do” might be throughout the year.

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Pastor Appreciation 2017 Part 3

October has been recognized as “Pastor Appreciation Month,” and so I am taking a little time to recognize and honor some of the people that God has used as “pastors” in my life.  Those special people that God uses to spur you on to grow in your faith and be busy about the Great Commission deserve to be honored (1 Timothy 5:17).

In this post, I would like to take a little time to appreciate Dr. Curtis Ferrell.  Dr. Ferrell has recently retired from the Associational Missions Director position at the Calhoun Baptist Association in Calhoun County, Mississippi.  Curtis and his sweet wife are some precious folk.  They truly have a love for our Lord and passion to serve Him well.

When I came to Calhoun County some 4+ years ago, Dr. Ferrell was one of the first to come alongside of me.  He had the responsibility for looking out for some 46 churches in the county at that time.  I know that he poured countless hours into local ministers and churches.  He had a passion to see a Hispanic ministry take off in our county.  That might have been tied to the fact that he was the son of a missionary family in South America and also that his family served in South America as well.  Whatever the case, it was so refreshing to see someone with a passion for people that needed to experience the wonder of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I appreciated the ways in which this seasoned minister took time to listen to what was going on in my life and give some wise advice.  He would constantly ask me about how things were going both at church and at the house.  He truly had a heart for the county here during the time the Lord allowed him to serve here.

I will forever be grateful for the friendship that God gave me in this dear man (and his wife).  I know that God has big  plans for them as they will continue to serve Him in our state and around the globe.

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Pastor Appreciation 2017 Part 2

I am using this month like many others to recognize and show my appreciation for the “pastors” that God has brought into our lives. These are the specialized ones that comes into our lives and shepherd us towards what God is wanting to do in us.

In this post, I want to take time to appreciate a man named Dan Perez. Many know him as “Dan the Man” because that is what he is.

Dan Perez was one of my first Sunday School teachers as a teenager. I really think that Dan lost some bet in a youth workers’ meeting when you look at the teens that he was tasked with keeping an eye on in the youth group. Actually, when you spend any amount of time with Dan, you will quickly see that he has a heart for people to know Christ.

Dan Perez has been one that God has used to guide me in great ways. He was so much more than just someone to lead a lesson on Sunday mornings. He took time with his class. He had us in his house. He would get to know us personally and use that knowledge to point us in a good direction.

I am will forever be grateful to Dan (and his sweet wife, Nina) for the ways that they have and are pouring into my life and the life of my family.

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Pastor Appreciation 2017 Part 1

October has been set aside as “Pastor Appreciation Month.” I have always thought that this was a little silly. It is like the joke that goes around the church where I serve as pastor: “we got to appreciate you a little.”

When it comes to showing appreciation to your pastor, I think that it would be good to understand who those “pastors” are. Just because a person holds a position in a church, it does not mean that they have been a pastor. Just because a person does not hold the title of “Pastor” (of any kind) that does not mean that he or she is not serving in that role.

During this month, I want to take some time to recognize some of the people who have been “Pastor” to me. These are people that the Lord has placed in my life over the years to help me become what God desires.

In this post, I want to talk about my appreciation for the man I consider my first pastor: Joey Savell.

Joey was the youth pastor that God used in great ways to disciple me as a teenager. When I had been burnt by “church as usual”, this guy was leading a ministry that was reaching out to students both close to God and very far from Him. I am so grateful that he was obedient to the Lord (even when it cost him MANY of confrontations in deacons’ meetings).

Joey has been there for me ever since God called me into the ministry in the summer of 1996. He took me under his wing and gave me opportunities to learn and grow in my faith and calling. He has always been one that I could call up and share my heart with. He has definitely been given the gift of “telling it like it is.” It has been good when I have needed a voice that was going to shoot me straight that I could call on this man.

The apostle Paul never was married, he did play a parent role (spiritually speaking) in a few people’s lives. Just as Timothy and Titus are referred to as Paul’s sons in the ministry, Joey has served as a father in the ministry to me and other people throughout the years.  Thank you for all that you do, Joey!

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