Last night I was in Valdosta, Georgia, preaching for Pastor Ken Alford at the Crossroads Baptist Church. It was like old times with several dear friends in the meeting. Pastor Ken and his wife, Cynthia, are our dear friends from seminary days. We still laugh about the night Liz stayed up to type a paper for Ken while we were both fast asleep. At least we laugh – I am not sure Liz ever did!
The Minister of Music at Crossroads is Dee Bondurant. About 12 years ago he and Michelle were a part of Olive. He sang on the praise team and in the choir. God called him to ministry and they launched out to follow the call of God. He did seminary work in New Orleans and served three churches before moving to Valdosta five weeks ago.
Rick Parker is now the Minister of Education at Crossroads. You may remember Rick from his days on staff at Olive. He and Cindy are dear friends to Liz and me as well as a host of Olive people. It was a pleasure to see them and have great fellowship.
I am reminded this morning of the importance of friends. Take time to make a new one today. Then look around at those who have been your friends for a long time. Tell them thanks and give praise to the Father for good friends HE has placed in your life.
On Tuesday of this week I was invited to International Paper for another onsite Power Lunch. We had over 100 attend the luncheon. My host, Todd Crutcher, oversees the work at the IP plant on Highway 29. It was a great day.
The IP plant is undergoing a multi-million dollar change. They are moving from making white paper like you use in a copy machine to producing brown paper. This is the material of which boxes are made. The target for the new production line opening is August 31, 2007. The team is working and training hard. One group is doing the construction while another group is training to run the new operation. Just over 600 jobs are provided at the IP plant. You might remember that several months ago it was rumored Pensacola would see the plant close. However, the change from white to brown paper is keeping the plant in business. This is good news for the local economy.
I was amazed to see the need for TEAM at IP. People working together to meet a deadline brings about stress and conflict. Still this group looks to be on schedule to meet the deadline for the new opening.
You may need to work on a team today. Your team may consist of family and/or co-workers. Let me ask you the 3 questions I asked the IP Power Lunch crowd:
1. Can others trust you?
2. Are you committed to excellence?
3. Do you care about others?
The answers to these questions will reveal your integrity, loyalty and compassion. Teams need all three.
Pastor Ted Traylor
During the month of July, our music department has presented “The True Story of Cinderella.” They conclude the effort this week with presentations on Thursday and Friday evening. The event has been hosted in Passmore Hall with 304 seats each night for the dinner theater. It has been sold out each evening with others left wanting tickets. The Thursday evening addition for this week was added to try and meet demand. Below is the Cinderella cast:
Why would a church music department make this type of presentation? The question is certainly legitimate. I can honestly say no one has asked me this but I think I know how Baptist folks think. Let me share a few thoughts I have on this issue. We have involved over 100 people in the service end of this endeavor. Waiters are assigned to each table of eight. These volunteers have stretched their service muscles. And service is a good thing. This music has also challenged our singers. We will be better musically because of the work the cast has done. Unchurched friends have been invited to the presentations. I have met many of them and they have been very complimentary.
This door has opened opportunities for many to talk about church and faith. At the conclusion of each evening, I have led in a brief Gospel presentation and asked a couple of the cast members to share their testimonies. We see this as a seed-sowing venture knowing that the Word never returns void. To top it off, the event has provided a fun environment to which Christians can invite their friends. Thanks to all who have been a part.
The kitchen team that Juanita leads is due a BIG thank you! They have pulled off with excellence the daunting task of preparing a delicious meal each night. Bob and the maintenance group have seen after every need in the building. This has been a group effort proving once again that here at Olive we have a great team!
Pastor Ted Traylor
When you turn on the news these days you hear daily about radical Islamic terrorists. We are finding that education about Islam is on the rise in America. While in Kazakhstan a few months ago I asked the missionary workers there what book they recommend if one wants to know about Islam. They recommended “A Muslim and a Christian in Dialogue” co-authored by Badru Kateregga and David Shenk. In the pages of this book you will find a very open discussion that will help shed light on some issues in this Christian/Muslim debate. If you live in America it may not be long before you will have a Muslim friend. Do you know enough to dialogue about faith? If not, I encourage you to do a little reading. Just listening to the evening news will not prepare you.
Late Wednesday evening Stan Lewis and I had a witnessing opportunity in the Olive parking lot with five teenagers. There was not a Muslim in the bunch. Still the witness was not easy. You must know the teen culture to break through to them. Contextualization is important if we are going to communicate effectively with anyone about Jesus. The greatest need we have is to know our Bible. Read it daily and be prepared. God wants to use you.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we meet for worship.
Pastor Ted Traylor
Liz and I have been to Covington, Louisiana, where I preached at the First Baptist Church on Monday evening. Waylon Bailey is the pastor and is doing a fantastic job with this church. Thanks for praying for me.
Tonight I have two meetings about the future of our church. At 4 p.m. I will be dialoguing with a group about some strategic partnership possibilities for our church. Then at 6 p.m. I will meet with the 2020 Implementation Team for a second time. God is up to some great things at Olive. Continue to pray.
Several asked Sunday about the upcoming trip to the Holy Land. We are set to go May 20-29, 2008. Beth, my administrative assistant, will soon have brochures available. Mark your calendar if this is a trip for you. It will be life-changing. There is nothing that brings the Bible more to life than walking in Israel.
Pastor Ted Traylor
At Sacred Heart Hospital here in Pensacola one of our young couples had a baby this week and there are some serious complications. Little Cori has some lung and heart issues. They may be on the way to Emory in Atlanta for help. Not sure yet but the situation is critical. Pray for Robert and Shannon Carver.
Our good friends from Romania had hoped to return home next year to resume their work. As you know their daughter,Tori, has had cancer and Elijah and his family is in Texas until their young daughter is well enough to go back to Romania. This week doctors are trying to determine just when she might be fit to leave the states. Preliminary reports look like the stay in the U.S. could be extended. Pray for the Soritau family.
Susie Kepner is a lovely young lady in our church from Costa Rica. She is married to Tyler. They are very active for Jesus in the ministry of our church. In her parents’ church in Costa Rica a 3-year-old boy named José has heart complications. They are trying to raise money to have him flown to Boston for treatment. While some in our land complain about healthcare it is still a great place of hope for many around the world. If you would like to help Susie in this matter you can call her at 850-748-7894. She will be delighted to tell you more about the financial need and how you might help.
If you have healthy children and grandchildren this day pause and give thanks.
Pastor Ted Traylor
This past Sunday evening was the night for the Discovering Olive dinner. Over 120 new members and prospects along with 20+ table hosts met in the ROC. We had a great meal. After that, I led the group through an information notebook prepared for new members. Several folks joined Olive as new members and others gathered valuable information about our church. We concluded with a fun and informative Q&A session. I am always amazed at the new people the Lord brings to Olive. He loves His church and provides for it in every way.
I also wanted to put a need before you. It is our joy to provide a residence for missionaries on furlough. These families serve on foreign mission fields. When they come home for a few months of R and R, we have a nice place for them to stay. It is our Howard L. Beard Missionary House. We have also provided a vehicle for each missionary family to use while they are staying with us. At this time, the car we have is OLD. It is time for an update. If you have a GOOD low-mileage vehicle you could donate, now is the time to let me know. This car will be set aside for use by our missionary houseguests. On the other hand, maybe you would like to purchase one. We can make that happen as well. Pray with me for the Lord to provide. Last Sunday I preached from Genesis 22 where we saw how God provided a sacrifice in place of Abraham’s son, Isaac. Abraham named the place, “the Lord provides.” Truly, He is forever faithful!
Pastor Ted Traylor
Several years ago, when I was the new pastor on the scene, Jean Rea came by to see me in the pastor’s office. She was a social worker with a local hospital and a volunteer for the food closet at Olive. During that visit she told me she could envision the day Olive would hire a full-time social worker on staff to help needy people and others with social issues in Jesus’ name. A few years later we did just that. We hired Jean part-time and then later full-time to help us in starting what today is our Church and Community Ministry. We now have three full-time workers and a host of volunteers. One lady made a difference. Jean was a catalyst for ministry at Olive. She “aggravated” me until I did something about the growing need in our community.
Not too many years ago Jean moved to Perry, Georgia, to help get social work going there. A few weeks ago news came to me that Miss Jean has cancer. The diagnosis from the doctors is not good. I am praying for God to heal her and I am asking you to join me in that intercession.
My favorite saying from Miss Jean, and she has many, is “failure to plan on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.” In other words, if you wait until the last minute to find help when you knew days ago the crisis was coming, don’t expect me to drop everything and get you out of the ditch. But her bark is usually worse than her bite. She has helped thousands in our city. I am indebted to her.
I ask you, Father God, to raise her up with health.
Pastor Ted Traylor
Today we sit on the eve of the 4th of July. Happy birthday, America!
I have joyous memories of the 4th growing up. Each year on this day a county fair-like celebration was held on Sand Mountain. Granddaddy Traylor gave money to each of his grandsons to spend at the fair. I remember one year there was a man that blew himself up in a large box. Yet he would walk out of the smoke unharmed. I was scared and amazed. I guess he was like a human cannonball – without a cannon. After the day at the fair we all went back to my grandparents’ humble house and cut cold watermelons out under the huge oak trees in the backyard. These are memories I will take to my grave.
I challenge you to make memories with your family this 4th of July. It does not take a lot of money but it will take time and undivided attention. Cook out, light sparklers, watch a fireworks display or go for a swim. Whatever you do, I hope your family will still be talking about it 40 years from now. I am glad I grew up in an American family that made good memories.
Pastor Ted Traylor
