My Final Blog

My COVID-19 look

Yesterday morning I received word that the ministry position that I was honored and privileged to carry out on behalf of LifeWay throughout Georgia and western North Carolina for the last 12 years was being eliminated (along with the entire Church Partner office of @30 wonderful people) due to the devastation the COVID-19 pandemic has caused in people’s lives.

This pandemic has forced churches to face issues never thought of before and they are struggling to find a footing of how to do ministry in the days, weeks, and years ahead. In the midst of the uncertainty, decisions about how to conduct small group Bible study and what materials that are essential are being asked and often left unanswered. That has left LifeWay in a precarious position as the world’s largest provider of Bible study and discipleship materials. So pray for the church and pray for LifeWay.

As for me, I didn’t expect that a virus would be the responsible party for telling me it’s time to retire, but that’s where I find myself. It’s unfortunate that I won’t be able to have a ‘farewell tour’ to tell all the wonderful and gracious people I’ve met over the last 12 years how much it has meant to me to be your friend and partner in ministry. It’s been a pleasure to establish a friendship and watch it grow. I hope those friendships will continue via Facebook, phone, and/or email. So for now on into the future, I will enjoy my home in Franklin looking at God’s handiwork of mountains and listen to my creek babble on and on.

So feel free to stop by if you’re ever on your way to Ridgecrest, oh, wait ….

OK, stop by if you’re on your way to the Cherokee casino, oh, wait ….

Well, just feel free to stop by whenever you’re coming through Franklin. I’ll let you take this retired old man to the Dillard House so I can brag about my grandchildren!

Farewell and God bless!