As many of you know, I grew up here in Anderson and was really involved at Concord Baptist Church. Concord was a huge blessing to me. I was a part of everything and loved every minute of it. I met Jesus at Concord. God called me to pastor as a teenager at Concord. I even worked on staff at Concord eight years ago.
Last night, I went back to Concord for the first time in a long time. My 86-year-old grandmother (Rachel Davenport) is still a member there. And so Claire, my sister Suzanne, Grandmother and I went to hear Dr. Don Wilton preach. Dr. Wilton is the pastor of First Baptist, Spartanburg.
For me, going back to Concord last night was just like going home --- and it felt so good. I got more hugs at one church service than I have gotten in a long time! And what made the hugs so special was that they came from people who go way back in my life --- over 30 years for many of them. These are people who laid a foundation of truth in my life that I have had the privilege of passing on as a pastor for these years.
As the service began, I sat on the wooden pew and listened to the organ play and the choir sing. And I was overwhelmed by the goodness of God. I scanned the faces of the choir and saw camp chaperones and youth counselors and Vacation Bible School teachers. I saw the faces of teenage friends and prayer warriors who have encouraged and loved me through the years. I saw the faces of people who are still honoring God with their lives. They're not perfect --- they have struggled through some hard times like all of us --- but they are still faithfully serving the Lord after all these years.
God knew I needed some old friends to put their arms around me and tell me that they love me. Most seemed to know about what's been going on in my life lately. They were all very sorry and assured me of their prayers. But most importantly, through different things that were said, they wanted me to know that they were home for me and that I was always welcome there.
That felt really good.
Sometimes, you just need to go home. I thank the Lord that when I was just a child He gave me a home church filled with amazing people who have meant so much in my life. And I thank Him and them for blessing me as they did last night.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)
