30 Years in Ministry – Trip Down Memory Lane…First Baptist Church Shady Grove, Laurel, MS
After almost 8 years of ministry at Bethany Baptist Church in Spring Hill, AR God called my family and me to work with the First Baptist Church of Shady Grove, in Laurel, Mississippi. This move was a big one for us! We had never lived more than 50 miles from “home” and we were about to embark on a new ministry that was 6 hours from our folks and friends. While it was a big decision, we knew God wanted us to go and help build this great church. It’s always hard to leave your family and friends and begin a new life but move we did!! While I know it wasn’t “halfway around the world” , my family and I did enter into a new life that was quite different from the one we left behind. Though the people were much like the people “back home”, there were some local differences in their likes and dislikes, various phrases and meanings of words and for many people in the area their particular “personal” religious beliefs about the church, Bible and people in general. We never got used to “boiled peanuts” or even hearing the phrase “turnips and roots” (top is turnip and bottom is root – here – we have greens and turnips) but those are just a couple of examples of different phrases used that were weren’t familiar with. We always considered ourselves very conservative when it came to our particular doctrine and beliefs about the church, Bible and ect. but almost immediately it appeared that we became almost “liberals” because of some of our beliefs. Let me clarify that we didn’t have any problems “doctrinally” with the people of FBC Shady Grove but it seemed that there were many in the state association that held to the belief that the KJV Bible was/is and always will be the only “Bible” one can use. Some even (and I heard it with my own ears at a big associational meeting) believed that the “KJV was good enough for Paul so it’s good enough for me”! Hmm, last I checked the Apostle Paul didn’t have the KJV Bible but then again what do I know since i’m not a Bible scholar with a dr’s degree? Some also held to the belief that their particular denomination was the ONLY one who would be in the “bride of Christ” and some of the ”preacher brethren” also held that “a real preacher wears a suit”. If i’m not mistaken those are personal opinions (which i respect for anyone who holds them) but they are not written anywhere in the Word of God – KJV or otherwise!.
One thing that WAS the same as “back home” was that FBC Shady Grove has some of the best cooks on the face of the earth and they ALL want you to eat!! I was a heavy guy before I got there and didn’t lose one ounce while there!! They can still cook and they still love to share. Lots of good eating memories there!
When we first arrived and moved in the parsonage at FBC Shady Grove we were greeted by a loving church family. They (throughout the time we were there ) took good care of us. They shared their garden goodies, they made sure we were comfortable, they provided so many things and in so many ways and we will always be grateful to them for their care. The parsonage was LARGE and roomy (although it was located next door to the church and on a major highway) and provided a good home for us while we were there. The church building proper had been built many years before. Located on a major highway into the city, it was clearly seen by many people in the surrounding area. The building needed “updating” and so almost immediately we began that project. We voted to “re-model” the auditorium and we moved into the newer fellowship hall building for worship. The pews were placed in there and we set up a “worship center” to be used while the auditorium was being re-done. The people were patient and excited. It was a joy to be involved in the remodel. There was a lot of hard work, time, prayer and etc done to get that building cleaned up, remodeled and back in shape to be used for worship. There is no way to name all of the people at the church or in the community that worked countless hours to get the job done. One thing for sure the majority of the people were willing to follow and work to get the job done. During my time there it could easily be said of the people at FBC Shady Grove, “the people had a mind to work”. I don’t know what they’ve done or accomplished since our time there but I KNOW they worked hard while we were there. At the end God blessed by allowing us to move back into the auditorium and it was beautiful. New carpet, re-done pews, plaster walls re-done and painted, sound booth built, new lighting and beautiful stained glass windows were placed in the church. Without a doubt it was a beautiful place to worship the Lord in.
We also had the blessing of pastoring some of the greatest people on the face of the earth while there and lest I forget anyone that is living I will only mention a couple who have already gone on to be with the Lord. Dr. & Mrs. Gerald Kellar were both in the membership of this church while we were there. Dr. Kellar & Mrs. Mary Lou were both “big names” in the BMA of America. Bro. Gerald & Mrs. Mary Lou were (still are) highly respected people and the thought of me being his pastor was one that caused me to tremble. The fact is – i’ve never met anyone more humble, loving or kind than the Kellars. They both went out of their way to love me and my family and be an encouragement to us on a regular basis. Even when I felt the message “flopped” Bro. Kellar always patted me on the shoulder, shook my hand or hugged me and said something positive and sought to build up “my pastor” as he called me. I laughed many times at his idea that “chocolate pie is the nectar of heaven” or his talking with Cindy about the Cowboys . They loved the Lord, loved God’s people and loved FBC Shady Grove.
We had the blessing of visiting many homes, eating with many people, laughing, crying, sharing, burying, baptizing, and marrying many people in that area. We to this day have fond memories of the church there and still keep in contact with many of the people from FBC Shady Grove. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll preach a revival there or even have the blessing of going to attend a service and see some of those great people. Many of the people we loved are now gone on to be with the Lord. Many who touched our lives in a positive way are still living. We can join the apostle Paul in saying, “I thank my God for every remembrance of you”.
While we were there the church called Bro. Jonathan Russell to serve as our youth pastor. He moved along way from Brockman Hill, AR to begin a new life in Mississippi and to this day he is still in Mississippi and now pastoring a great church – Raymond Road Baptist Church in Jackson, MS. Bro. Jonathan continues to be a friend to this day. Bro. Jonathan became the pastor of FBC Shady Grove after Cindy and I left the church to move back to Arkansas and pastor Faith Baptist Church in Texarkana, AR.
One of the best words that I could use to describe the attitude of the people and atmosphere at FBC Shady Grove while we were there is the word “cooperation”. The people there were willing to follow their pastor and try new things to reach people for the Lord. We saw souls saved, people baptized and many join the church by letter. When we left the church we left knowing that it was stronger than when we came.
We also made some good friends while we were there. Many of the people there touched our hearts and lives and will never know what they mean to us this side of heaven. Sure, there were a couple of people there who weren’t “as big a blessing” to our lives and ministry there but there are those kind in most churches. I am reminded of a sign on the highway as you enter one town in Mississippi…. “Welcome to _________, the home of 300 friendly people and a few old sore heads.” , I wonder if it’s legal to hang that kinda sign in front of most churches? All in all we know God sent us there and we are thankful for that short period in our lives. Lest you think that we left on bad terms because we were there such a short period of time (almost 3 years) — we didn’t. As a matter of fact, we left on good terms but felt God calling us to move and help a church get back on their feet.
Our prayers are still with the good people of FBC Shady Grove. We pray for their Pastor and staff as they seek to lead this great church into the days ahead. We pray that souls will be saved and that God will move this church (as I pray for all churches) “out of their box, out of their comfort zone ” and into seeing many souls saved, the church grow numerically and in the Word and be found faithful when Jesus comes.
Thanks FBC Shady Grove Family for your love, support and prayers for my family and me – even to this day. You have touched our lives and we pray that somehow we were a blessing to you while we were there.
BTW…one big blessing in the area is “CHARLIE’S” “fish camp” in Ellisville, MS (near Laurel) . If you haven’t eaten there – you’ve missed it. I made a promise to myself (and Cindy to) that we would there every time we visit the area – and so far I’ve kept that promise!! LOL
With good memories, great love and prayers for the future - Pastor James