Pastor James’ Blog

Another soul just got saved at Life House about 30 minutes ago!!  Several of our teens dropped by (this is spring break week here) and while here one of them mentioned that they had been thinking of being saved. After talking to her and sharing Jesus with her – she got saved!!!  That’s three in one week !  God is UP TO SOMETHING at Life House and in College Hill. We can’t praise Him enough! Just though you would wanna know!  Pastor James

Our first church to ever serve as pastor was Bodcaw #1 Baptist Church. This church was the greatest place on earth that a young preacher could ever begin his ministry. The people were loving, accepting and patient. They still are. This church has a rich history of loving pastors and their families in a big way. They also have a reputation of loving to give a man his first chance to pastor, helping them grow in the ministry and blessing his family. We were so blessed to be a part of this church for 5 years.  This church was Cindy’s Mom’s home church. She was raised in that community. Also, her Dad, pastored this church when Cindy was a baby.  This church is very unique in many ways.  

They still sing four part harmony “convention” songs. The adults and children alike (the majority of them) could lead, sing, and many even play that style of worship music.  When we first went to the church some of the “old timers” were still alive and the music was heavenly.  I could sit and listen to it all day.

The church also had a history of being simple. Now understand – that’s not a bad thing – that’s a good thing!  They didn’t complicate things…they gathered for worship, fellowship and study of the Word. They ate together, laughed together and reached out to those in need in the community with a big heart and in big ways. I’ve seen time and again them go the extra mile to help someone not even connected with the church family there.

I have many precious memories of this church. Our children were born while we were there. They were held, bounced, hugged, kissed and loved by all. They were totally spoiled (especially Josh) by several and we will never forget “Molay”, “Pa Chester” ,”Ma Jude”, “Pa Baker” and “Ma Baker” and many more letting our kids be their grand kids too. They loved them and treated them like their own. They blessed us by loving our kids. 

I remember a young spunk of a preacher (me) who wanted to win every soul in Bodcaw and grow a big church and yet in spite of his inability and poor preaching – those folks still loved me.  They were encourager’s. They still are.  The words, hugs, gifts and more proved they knew how to treat a pastor and family. That in itself is almost a lost art today.  This church has “raised” a lot of “preacher boys” and given them a start in ministry through the years. God will bless them one day for that kind of love.

This church was also (and still is) a sharing church. Many Sundays we left to go back to Texarkana with our car/van loaded down with vegetables or “garden goodies”. I remember one day leaving with 4 or 5 watermelons in the trunk of our car. Now you’ve heard of “HOPE MELONS” – well they are really Bodcaw melons carted to Hope for sale and you haven’t ever tasted GREAT watermelon until you’ve tasted those!

I remember revivals – packed out!  I remember the area preachers gathering and sitting on the front pews and serving as the unofficial “amen corner”.  I remember the souls being saved, people being baptized and the harmony that was present in that church. There was far LESS DRAMA in the church in those days. The people weren’t out for “what they could get” from the church but rather what they could give.

I remember homecomings. WOW -talk about food from heaven. I remember caramel pies, dressing, fried chicken and much, much, more. They could make a skinny fellow fat in two weeks !  They know how to cook and don’t mind sharing! The building would always be “packed out” for homecoming. People from far and near – out of towners and more would come – especially to the afternoon service. 

I remember VBS. This church loved the area children and did their best to make VBS a BIG time during the summer.  It was filled with fun and lots of love – Jesus love.

I remember so many things that time and space wouldn’t permit it all but suffice it to say – God has used this church in our lives to bless us in so many ways – even all these years after we’ve been gone.  Though many of the “old timers” that were there when we were have gone on to be with the Lord, we have some precious memories of days gone by and friendships that will never end.  Someday – we will gather once again on heaven’s shores and i’m sure there will be some “four part harmony, convention singing” in heaven. Harlan Tye singing tenor, Connie Dorman singing alto and many more! 

I’m sure I will think of alot more things to share – and might even do some “tags” on my next few blogs if I do – but suffice it to say — We were blessed to start our ministry at Bodcaw #1. Thanks Bodcaw #1 church family – we will never be able to repay you for all you’ve done for us and you will never totally know how much you have meant to us through the years. Bless you – keep on keeping on till HE comes!3

Pastor James

Raymond Road Baptist in Jackson, MS just went OVER THE TOP of their goal for collecting eggs for our Community Wide Easter Egg Hunt! They went over their 6,000 egg goal!  I can’t wait to hear that Bro. Jonathan has to sit on eggs in his van to be able to get them all here!  THANKS RAYMOND ROAD – who knows how many lives the 6,000 plus verses that are going to go out in those eggs are going to touch!  IF JUST ONE soul is saved it will be worth it all!  PRAY OVER THOSE EGGS and WE WILL TOO!  THANKS again and God bless you all for it!  Pastor James

God is doing it again and again and again!! AMEN!   Just thought you would want to know that one of our teenage girls was saved during the girls ministry tonight. Don’t yet know all the details but it’s all over “the text messages” and “facebook”…..Shouting it everwhere!!  This is a girl we’ve prayed hard for! 
Gotta go – hard to shout and type at same time!!! Pastor James

FIRST….We had one lady saved tonight during the adult life group time!  AMEN!!!!! Pray for even more to be saved. God is so awesome!

SECOND…Official Mississippi Easter Egg count is 4,499 !!! Way to go Raymond Road!  Who is paying for the U-HAUL for Bro. Jonathan to bring those loaded eggs to Arkansas?  Maybe …NO LUGGAGE…JUST EGGS!!!  LOL

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At Life House we don’t put a huge emphasis on buildings.  A building is a tool for ministry. We do believe that it should be clean and ”kept up”.  The church family has worked diligently to clean, paint, repair and improve our building…and each week it gets better and better. One are we have “lacked in” is the kitchen area. Our kitchen - if you could call it that – was simply a room with serving window and refrigerator. God has once again answered our prayers and a couple from Mena, AR (one of our partner churches) has felt led to design, build and install a custom made kitchen for Life House!  They own a cabinet shop in Mena and they feel God wants them to help get a working kitchen in our meeting place so that we might better do the work of the ministry. AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!! God is soooo good! We praise the Lord for His blessings on this ministry week after week, day by day.  Everywhere we turn He continually comes through and meets our many needs.  We praise Him for it all! Praise Him with us!  Pastor James

Well, if you don’t know for sure- hang on.    This morning started with the news that one of our young adult men had been picked up by the police because his Mother had signed papers to get him committed because of his drug and alcohol use and because he is a danger to himself and others.  He has struggled with this addiction as well as anger and bitterness for a long time. When he is sober and clean he is one of the nicest guys you would ever want to be around. When he isn’t – he is a mean, foul mouthed, hateful drunk and drug user.  He was saved some time back but the devil is using his past against him and seeking to destroy him.  We have all prayed at Life House – time and again for God to do something in his life.  Today he was picked up and was to go before a judge for sentencing. When we got to the court house this morning – he had been interviewed and disclosed somethings that would put himself and others in possible danger so the judge ordered that he be mentally evaluated ASAP and then brought back to court this afternoon in order to find a treatment center for him. He has already been “treated” before but to no avail. The worldly style of treatment is nothing but a bandaid – it covers and masks the symptoms but never gets to the root cause and deals with it.  His mother and some of us wanted him to be able to go to a Christian treatment center so I was given the task of “calling around” and finding one.  Cindy and I have been involved with some people who have gone through one particular christian treatment center (which is excellent) and I decided to try to get him approved for one of their facilities in the nation.  I called Hot Springs, then Dallas.  The people were so nice and tried to be helpful but stated that their facility was not equipped for the man’s physical problems so they couldn’t accept him into their program.  The gentleman in Dallas even said that he had been in this type work for 20+ years and that I WOULD NOT find a facility in the USA that would accept this guy because of his physical limitations and disability. He was even so sure of that fact that he stated, “IF YOU DO FIND A FACILITY THAT WILL ACCEPT HIM, AND YOU WON”T, BUT IF YOU DO – I WILL DRIVE FROM DALLAS AND BUY YOU THE BIGGEST STEAK DINNER IN TEXARKANA.”  When I got off the phone with him I was somewhat let down. This boy needs help and needs it from a Christian facility. After talking with some of the folks at Life House who were here..one of them mentioned a facility in Mississippi. I called that particular facility, explained that problems, needs, and challenges and they said they could and would accept him!!! When asked how soon they could get a bed for him – they replied, “YESTERDAY”!  This particular program is a “crisis” program (up to 15 months) ..and is the gateway to the VERY PROGRAM that we wanted to get to him in in the very first place!  The Mississippi facility faxed all of the information to the Judge’s office and it looked like we were on the way.  

When we arrived back at the courthouse for the next hearing it was discovered that a local treatment center had recommended that this young man be placed in it’s care for 45 days.  This treatment center is a state run facility and they only treat the symptoms of the bigger problem.  The defence team let it be known that they “COULD NOT MAKE” this man go anywhere and that HE HAD CHOSEN the local facility for treatment. He refused to go out of state or even out of town. The Judge came in  – read the findings and declared that since the young man had chosen to attend the local treatment facililty – that he would sentence him to 45 days there. We were so let down and couldn’t believe that they wouldn’t agree to send him to the facility in Mississippi.  After the hearing the prosecutor came over and spoke to the mother. She stated her dissapointment with the Judges decision.  The Prosecutor asked that we stay put for awhile and let him go talk to the judge.  He was gone for a little while and in a bit came back and as he walked in the room he stated, “I’ve been doing this too long.”  We asked what that meant and he again stated, “I’ve been doign this too long.” He stated that as he was heading down the hall to see the judge he remembered that the young man was on probation. As he was talking to the judge it occurred to him that the young man had violated his probation and that he COULD revoke his probation and sentence him to a treatment facility.  The conclusion: God worked it out to have the young man’s probation revoked and it looks like he is going to be headed to Mississippi in the next few days to a CHRISTIAN TREATMENT FACILITY!  GOD DID IT!! All in one day – God worked miracles for this young man.  We wanted to shout all over the courthouse!!!  God still moves and still works miracles. God isn’t through with this young man – HE has a purpose and plan for his life.  It will take some time for him to get things worked out and regain a productive life but God wants to do something good with what the devil was trying to steal, kill and destroy!!  AMEN,  AMEN – AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Now do you BELIEVE in miracles?

It all started Friday night with an “Open Gym” for area 7th – 12th grade students….and ended last night with a joint worship service at Smokey Joe’s BBQ in Nash, Texas!  WHEW!  

Friday night Life House opened their doors to the area youth and eagerly awaited the arrival of the Dallas Avenue Baptist Church Youth Group (Mena, AR). This group spent the weekend with us and what a blessing they were!  They played hard, worked hard, laughed hard and touched our hearts in a big way!!  Saturday morning began about 7 a.m. for breakfast and then a “clean up/workday”.  Then off to eat pizza as a group at Razorback Pizza just down the highway.  You should have seen 22 of us walking down the highway and watched the faces of the people in our area…it was laughable but a blessing at the same time.   Following lunch it was back to the church building for another “open gym” for ALL children and youth that might show up and show up they did.  The youth from Mena just merged in and helped out and who knows the impact they made on some of the youth and children.  This is a real mission field and because  groups like Dallas Avenue and other great churches come and help us we are able to reach out to more people with God’s love and good news.

The weekend ended with a great service Sunday morning and then Sunday night our Praise Band & Team led out in a joint worship service with Rose Hill Baptist Church at Smokey Joe’s BBQ in Nash, Texas. This church family meets there every week and they are making a transition from their present location to the Nash, Texas area. Thanks Rose Hill Family for allowing us to come join in worship with you. They were so encouraging and made Life House Family feel welcome.   Needless to say – everyone from Life House was tired at the end of this weekend but it was a good kind of tired. 

Thanks Life House Family for your heartbeat, love and support. Thanks for your heart in wishing to reach College Hill & beyond with Jesus love!  Get a little rest…but keep your work boots on …much to do…many souls to win…Jesus is coming soon!!!  I love you all — Pastor James

We are amazed!  Raymond Road Church in Jackson, MS  is going EGG WILD!  Someone asked me at Life House last night after hearing that they had topped 3000 eggs in just a couple of weeks of gathering them for us…”What kind of chickens do they have down there?” lol  Well, they aren’t real eggs but somewhere there is a plastic chicken doing all she can to make sure we reach OVER 6000 eggs for our community wide Easter Egg Hunt this year.  Life House is gathing eggs too and so are a couple of other youth groups  so we should have one of the biggest egg huntsthat  this side of town has ever seen.  Remember – plastic eggs, wrapped candy inside and a written/typed verse of your choosing inside. We want these eggs to be GOSPEL EGGS. We want the children and adults who open them to find God’s Word inside and who knows – maybe God will use even one verse to speak something into their hearts and someone get saved. PRAY that God will use each and every egg to His glory.  Pray for someone to be saved! THANKS again to all who are helping us with this project. We are excited about how God is going to use this event to furthre His kingdom work in College Hill.  Pastor James

Even before I accepted my first pastorate Cindy and I ended up visiting a church in Hope, AR and falling in love with it.  From day one we felt that we were at home. The people were loving, the pastor encouraging and faithful in the Word and we found a place that encouraged us to grow personally.  The pastor, Bro. I.V. Hight, was and is to this day a man who loves “preacher boys” and has the spirit of encouragement toward all.  We quickly grew to love he and Mrs. Renna.  Bro. Hight encouraged me in my ministry by creating a position at Unity called, “City Missionary”.  This position included visitation and some nursing home responsibilities.  Even better than “doing” the work and getting experience was the opportunity to be able to fellowship and watch God’s man and learn from him.  Bro. Hight is still my example of a pastor.  He loved the people of Unity and Hope, AR too.  He preached numerous revivals, held many weddings and an abundance of funerals but all the while remaining  faithful to his ministry at Unity.  He was a man of the Word.  He loved (still does) God’s Word, loved to preach God’s Word and loved to see souls saved.  It was a day of mixed emotions for me when I learned that God had  called him to another position – that of Executive Director of State Missons for the BMA of Arkansas.  While I hated that he left Unity Baptist Church -I know that God has and will use him in his present position – as pastor to the state missionaries and an director of church planting. Bro. Hight has a love for souls. Maybe that’s where I inherited my love for seeing lost people come to know the Lord. 

 Another man and wife that made a great impact on our lives was Bro. Jimmy & Shirley Wallace. Bro. Jimmy served as minister of music and youth for Unity for many years. He and Mrs. Shirley stood together and served in that great church for many years – even until his sudden death. Many are memories in the lives of the people of Unity Church and the people of Hope, AR. Bro. Jimmy welcomed Cindy and I into the choir and allowed us to see a man and wife who poured themselves into other peoples lives. His humor, big heart and love for the Lord and music really touched us.  It was a sad day at Unity and in Hope, AR when the world lost Jimmy Wallace.  Though he be dead – his testimony in the hearts of many still lives on. 

Another man in Unity Church who touched our lives and many many lives in the South Arkansas area was Bro. Elbert O’Steen.  Bro. O’Steen had been pastor of Unity and after retirement took on the position of associate pastor – helping Bro. Hight with funerals and other things.  Bro. O’Steen was a prince of preachers and a real gentleman.  His big smile, quick wit, knowledge of the Word and wise counsel made him a good friend to have especially for preachers.  He had tidbits of wisdom that he shared with us “preacher boys” such as ,  “Any preacher smart enough to preach 45 minutes ought to be smart enough not to!” .  Give that one some thought.  He befriended all and was a real man of encouragement.  We thank the Lord that we were blessed to have gotten to know this man of God.

One last one for you.  One of the members of Unity Church really blessed us with his love for the Lord and his joy – and that was Bro. Lloyd Smittle.  Bro. & Sis. Smittle were not millionaries. Both of them worked regular jobs and earned ever penny that they had. They lived in a modest home and drove regular vehicles – nothing “fancy”. When Bro. Smittle died I will never forget Bro. I.V. Hight describing him as one of the only men he knew that could have a revival during the offering time at church. This man loved the Lord so much that even giving his tithes back to the Lord brought him excitement and joy. What a testimony.  What a good example for other believers. 

Needless to say Unity Baptist poured some good things into our lives and they still mean a lot to Cindy and I. We rejoice that they have a great pastor even now and that  they are still steadfastly reaching souls in Hope, AR.  Unity Church was the church that ordained me when I was called to be the pastor of Bodcaw #1 Baptist Church.  Thanks Unity church family for all your prayer and support even for these past almost 30 years.   Another precious memory ….in almost 30 years of ministry.  Pastor James