Last Friday evening I was at New Prospect Baptist Church in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, speaking at a men’s conference. As I walked in a gentleman came up to me and asked if I was Ted Traylor from Olive Baptist. “I am,” I responded. He asked if it was true that we started Hillcrest Baptist Church. I replied, “Yes we did, some 52 years ago.” He went on to request I thank our church for this mission endeavor. Then I got the rest of the story. Don Lastinger, pastor at Hillcrest years ago, won this man’s brother to Jesus. His brother then won him to Jesus along with 81 other people before he died. Until hearing this man’s story, we never knew the impact Olive had on just one person through starting a mission church years ago. I was encouraged.   

Brad Lowery is the pastor at New Prospect. He also had a story that blessed me. And Olive had a part in it. About 15 years ago, I traveled to Shocco Springs in Alabama to speak at a youth camp. During that week, Brad answered the call to preach and the lady who he would later marry was saved that week. They wanted to say thanks to me for coming to the camp and thanks to Olive for allowing me to go. There it was again…fruit I knew nothing about. God is so faithful! 

We never know what impact we may have when we follow God’s plan through obedience. So today, I encourage you to walk in faithfulness to Jesus. He will make you useable. Years from now someone may be telling the story about your fruit-bearing in their life.    

So, be faithful today. You never know the story God is writing. 

Pastor Ted Traylor           

The Thursday addition of the Pensacola News Journal carried a story about Southern Baptist ministers and sexual abuse. In the past few days SNAP-Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, delivered a request to the Executive Committee of the SBC requesting the denomination adopt a zero tolerance stance and create an independent review board to investigate molestation reports. SNAP says that about 40 cases of sexual abuse in SBC churches have been reported. These have been garnered in reports from some 20 years. The request of SNAP to the SBC is understandable. If only one person has been abused it is one too many. However, the request made to the SBC shows a very incomplete understanding of Baptist polity. Seems it is time for a little lesson in Baptist methodology.
 
Baptist churches are independent organizations. While churches like ours at Olive choose to affiliate with the Southern Baptist denomination, we are in no way controlled by a denominational board or committee. No SBC-appointed review board would have any jurisdiction at Olive or any other Baptist church. Our hierarchy does not work that way. We do not work for the SBC, State Convention or Baptist Association. They work for us. We are not accountable to them. Rather, they are responsible to the churches.
 
Every Southern Baptist church is an independent AUTONOMOUS body. The church is self-governing. No person in Baptist headquarters tells a church who is qualified or not qualified to serve as a staff member. The local church is RESPONSIBLE for selecting its own staff. That same church should do its homework and know all it can about a person they place in leadership as pastor or any other post. Background checks and personal references must be a priority. Sister churches should supply honest answers to questions when asked. But the responsibility is always on the local church. No one from outside can make a Baptist church do anything. Encouragement, warning and advice can be given. But no one reviews Olive from the outside. We are responsible to God for our decisions.
 
Make no mistake.  Sexual abuse of children or adults by a minister would never be tolerated at Olive. It is not only sin before God but unlawful before man. Forgiveness and restoration are matters to be dealt with in a serious Biblical way. However, no pedophile is worthy of or welcome in the pulpit.

Pastor Ted Traylor
 

Amazing Grace Sunday at Olive was a marvelous day. People were saved, repentant and encouraged. Amen! The movie Amazing Grace is set to open on Friday of this week. Indications are the Rave Theater 18 will be showing this film here in our local area. If they do, drop them a line and say thanks. If they do not, let them know of your disappointment and request that they place it on the big screen.

Grace is moving right along at the Charis House. Below are some pictures of the work that is going on. We are on target to have the work completed by Easter. Keep praying.

Pastor Ted Traylor

Today is Tuesday, February 13 and I find myself standing between two important dates.

Yesterday, February 12, was my parent’s 57th wedding anniversary. In 1950 Delton Traylor and Jean Bowman drove across the Alabama state line to get married at the courthouse in Trenton, Georgia. They were soon to move to Detroit, Michigan, to find work. Dad was just out of the army and home from Korea. Detroit offered jobs in those days to many from the South. It was a snowy day in December almost four years later when they brought me home from the Wayne County Hospital. The St. Claire Shores Baptist Church was the first church I attended and the church nursery became my first church experience. Dad was saved and baptized there. I still remember Pastor Keefer from those days when I was just a boy.

In 1962 my parents made the decision to move back to Alabama. They opened a grocery store in Pisgah. This would forever be the place I call home. Like many others my parents struggled in the early days of business. But soon the store was profitable. We lived in a couple of rental houses before they built the home they still live in today. It was a leap but they made it. God has continued to pave the way for my parents. They have been faithful members of the Pisgah Baptist Church for 45 years. I am proud of them. They have loved me every step of the journey. As parents, grandparents and in-laws to Liz, they have been the best. In just three more years they will celebrate 60 years together. I feel another party coming!

Tomorrow is February 14 – Valentine’s Day. For 30 years now I have looked for the right card or special gift. And yes, I have foolishly forgotten some years; but thankfully I have a forgiving wife. What a grand lady she is! Liz has encouraged me since we married in 1976. From that first country church in Alabama all the way to Olive, she has been a consistent Christian lady. God highly favored me when a friend, Tim Campbell, introduced her to me at Samford University.

So as I stand today between two important dates, I wish to share with you a few reminders:

1. Love your parents.

2. Be godly parents.

3. Make certain marriage is a forever contract before you sign on.

4. Take time to say “I love you” to the special people in your life.

5. Don’t be foolish. Purchase a Valentine’s card NOW!

Pastor Ted Traylor

If you watched the evening news Thursday in Pensacola or read the Pensacola News Journal Friday morning you have heard about Operation Brownsville. This is a month long effort to clean up a 40 block section of the city. County officials are leading the effort to make the area more livable for residents. On Thursday afternoon I took a ride through the area with sheriff department officials. I was astonished at what I saw. Debris piled high in yards was abundant. Crack houses were being torn down. Prostitutes walked the streets. The officers told me of drug dealers and their work. I left asking if there is there hope for the people of this area. Many good and decent people live in the crime-infested zone. But what can be done? Can real change come?    

About four hours later I received a living parable from the Lord and His work of grace. Hope? There is hope! On Thursday evening I attended graduation at the Waterfront Rescue Mission Career Development Center. There men told of how they were one time dealing drugs and hooked on the evil substances that ruled and ruined their lives. Then two graduates that now attend Olive told how the Gospel changed their lives. I had tears in my eyes. These men started with nothing at the Rescue Mission. They then attended a group home that led them to become disciples. And now they have been through career development. They are on the road to being productive citizens and healthy growing Christians.    Our government officials are to be commended for the effort to make a difference. The church must come along side them with the life-changing message of King Jesus. He is the One who makes all things new. I was greatly encouraged on Thursday to see the great need in our city and realize God is still at work one heart at a time.   

Pastor Ted Traylor  

All day Monday I was attending the Caldwell/Lyons Evangelism Conference in Princeton, Kentucky. God is doing a great work among the folks in Western Kentucky.  I had the privilege to preach twice and to be with our good friend, Dr. John Sullivan.

Today and tomorrow I am in Atlanta attending the trustee meeting for the North American Mission Board. Please pray for us these days as we are continuing the search for the man who will lead us as the president of this vital organization of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Please note that I predicted on last week’s blog the score for the Super Bowl game would be Colts – 31 and Bears – 17.  I missed it by only two points.  Nevertheless, I have no plans to become a bookie but will continue as a Baptist preacher.  My Colts helmet signed by Coach Tony Dungy and Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning is continuing to escalate in price and may one day be found on Ebay.   

Looking forward to being back in Pensacola Wednesday afternoon.

Pastor Ted Traylor     

Several years ago Dave Talley, who has been the heart of Olive’s media ministry for over 30 years, came to visit with me about our radio ministry. It seemed WEGS was having trouble finding a home base for the studio. Dave recommended we offer Olive as that base to our friends at the station. We did just that. For many years now 91.7 FM has been located in our building. The owners of the station reside in south Florida and remain our good friends and partners in ministry. This is the way we broadcast our morning and evening services live across the panhandle.    

Each year WEGS has a three-day fund raising weekend. They always do it the first weekend in February. It is going on right now. The station is noncommercial and relies on gifts from listeners and business sponsorships. I am writing today to remind you of the good work the station does and to encourage you to consider supporting the work. Tune in sometime today and listen. I will be on the air sometime this morning between 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. saying hello.    

Radio is a great tool for the proclamation of the Gospel. I will never forget the young lady who came to join Olive one Sunday and told me she had been listening to our services while in the local jail. During that time she trusted Jesus as her Savior. She vowed that when she was released from jail she would come and join our church. She did. And today she is the president of Interfaith Jail Ministries in Pensacola. What a God we serve. She was able to listen because someone gave to keep the radio station signal going out. I urge you to consider giving to this praiseworthy cause. 

Colts-31and Bears-17.  Now that you know the score you can be in church Sunday evening. 

Pastor Ted Traylor