In Picture:
Center: Senior Pastor Tom & Melissa Hazelwood
Left: Associate Pastor Paul & Laconda Wilson
Right: Associate Pastor Steve & Angela Morgan
As Pastor Appreciation Month continues, I am taking a moment out to honor and recognize the gift we have in Pastor Tom Hazelwood.
Pastor Tom is truly a treasure of knowledge, but he also abounds in love. Whenever he hears of something going on in our lives, he says he just prayed. Pastor Hazelwood has a strong passion for us growing in the knowledge of what scriptures mean not only now, but throughout history. He also gets excited to share stories of church and world events that can help enhance our evangelism. He was tasked by Pastor Roger to be the Spiritual Growth Minister and he took that calling seriously. He has developed the Soul Retention method of Bible Study/Service that other churches are looking to model. And I don't think any of us can deny how he, with humility, stepped into the leadership role when we needed him to as Pastor Roger passed on. It is no surprise the LBA unanimously voted to recommended him as head pastor and the congregation with an overwhelming majority agreed. His desire to see the Lord grow in each and every one of us is admirable. His sermons cut right to the core, but as scripture says they do so like a friend trying to gently mend a broken bone. He is also hospitable and welcoming always with a friendly hello and occasionally a loving joke. But even more than this, as earlier stated he is always willing to step into whatever is needed to bless and grow the body. Even at the Trunk'n'Treat he quickly threw together a fun, challenging game in the back of his truck when it looked like the event could use another "trunk". Wouldn't you know it, as some of us observed, our shepherd had a "flock" of people around his truck. Ever humble, he would remind me that he is just a "sheep dog" and there is only one Shepherd, the Good Shepherd. How can you not love this guy? Remember to pray for him as he needs it and welcomes it. Keep all of our pastors in prayer please- JAH
This week for Pastor Appreciation Month, it is time To honor Reverend Paul D Wilson.
What cannot be said about Pastor Paul? He is so humble and kindhearted to everyone. He has a way of thinking justly that shows how in tuned he is to the Spirit of the Lord. He is passionate and not just about music, even though I, for one, greatly appreciate that passion. Maybe it's the time he has been ministering or maybe it's his Missionary background, but he truly lives the mentality of being prepared in season and out of season. Just last week, when many were expected to be gone from Family Fuel Night and he may have planned to take a respite for the evening, the Young Adults (aka The Somethings) descended upon him with little fore-warning. He didn't complain, didn't worry, didn't even flinch but delivered a beautiful, intimate little study about Gods ever-presence. We at Faith have a gift in Reverend Wilson. He has amazing stories to tell and almost always has an addition to any Bible Study to help the hearers see the message from a different point of view. The wisdom and grace that he imbues is truly immeasurable. - JAH
Please keep Pastor Paul and all our pastors in your prayers and make sure to show them we appreciate them this month especially.
In our continuation of Pastor Appreciation month, this week I am taking a moment to honor Pastor Steve Morgan.
Pastor Steve is such a blessing to Faith Community Wesleyan Church! Between his engaging Bible studies(that are never in the slightest dull) and his enthusiastic sermons, what's not to love? But wait, there's more. Pastor Roger saw in him a passion for growing families together and closer to Christ that he saw fit to make him the pastor in charge of Family Ministries and Pastor Steve does a tremendous job of this. There is no denying how much he genuinely cares about everyone. Just listen in during prayer time on Sunday mornings and hear how he engages and interjects love into each and every prayer request, to say nothing of his eloquent, spirit-filled prayers. He is always truly interested to hear what is going in every ones lives and is likable to all age groups. But, Pastor Steve is more than a pastor, he's a friend. He is the kind of friend everyone wants. He is that friend who will give up his evening or day off to work on a car or help with a house project and even if it causes him to have actual, personal pain, he will not only not blame you, but willingly do it again. There's still more to say, but I can't say it all. Go ahead, chime in with your own thoughts. How can you not appreciate a guy who is like a father or brother to everyone he meets. Whether it's at church, at his shop, in a reenactment camp, or wherever you might meet him. It's no wonder he's so good at cracking those "dad" jokes... -JAH
It is the last night of October.
That does not just mean that Is Hallows Eve or the anniversary of the reformation.
It also means that it is the last Wednesday night in Pastor Appreciation Month, and I saved the best for last!
Tonight, I appreciate the Pastor's wives.
This month was about them as much as it was the pastors. They do the hard work, the often thankless work of willingly giving up their husbands to tend the sheep(us). They also are the strongest support and encouragement for their husbands when they need it. None of our pastors hide that they are human, but it's the wives who get to see them when they are most "human" and they help them through the struggles and encourage them. These wonderful ladies need our recognition as well and even more so, they need our prayers. Please read on as I make some observations how each one of them, in addition to above, blesses us with their own ministries.
"Mama" Laconda is amazing with all the time that she puts into crafting amazing gifts for various organizations and people. She puts her talents to use for fundraising efforts as well. Many of the ladies look to her for sage advice and she tenderly gives it. Some might say she is the "pillar" of the church. The mom we can all look to for example of how to graciously serve in humility as she is working away probably more than you know at various events within the church. Laconda Wilson blesses our church.
"Miss" "Mum" "Momma" Angela gives so much time and energy to the church, it's amazing she has time for her large family and extended reenactment family. You may have heard of the group Family Force Five, we have Family Force Angie! She helps Pastor Steve with the family ministry organizing dinners, sending out reminders, making sure all the classes are covered on Family Fuel nights, co-planning special events, etc.. etc. She also teaches the kids on Sunday during the "kids time" children's sermon and let's not even mention how she does announcements and is a strong support for not only her husband, but her brother(Pastor Tom) too. Angela Morgan blesses our church.
"Miss" Melissa also dedicates much of her time and energy to the church. She is an incredible, humble leader for Food Distribution and the Women Of Faith. She also helps out with co-planning and organizing a lot of the events. If I spent time writing all of the things she does behind the scenes here, I would have to make a new post and I don't even probably know all that she does. I'll list a few anyway.She helps Tom C. with treasurer duties, she teaches the kids discipleship hour on Sunday Morning, always makes sure there are refreshments for Soul Retention service and so much more... In addition to all of this she also exemplifies how we should phileo one another often getting excited about "eating out" with others and acting as a peacemaker in needed situations. Melissa Hazelwood blesses our church-JAH
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