The 2020 Implementation Team had a wonderful meeting on Thursday evening. Plans are coming together. It is our goal to have a report ready to share with our church family sometime this fall. I ask you to continue to pray for the vision to take shape. There are some crucial choices that must be made and these are not easy.  However, we are finding peace in God’s direction. 

After our meeting last night, I noticed a large number of cars in the parking lot. Experience told me something out of the ordinary was taking place in the ROC. So, along with our deacon chairman I walked in to check it out. The Baptist Campus Ministry was having a fellowship. Young people from UWF were all over the place – made me grateful for Tony Olesky and the BCM. I have been saying for a few years that we must impact the UWF campus with the Gospel to make a difference for Christ here in Pensacola. No one group can do this alone. BCM gives us another way to team with local churches to touch that campus.   

Be safe this Labor Day weekend. I look forward to seeing you Sunday at Olive. Remember to get your Cinderella tickets for the Thursday, September 6^th presentation. And encourage others to do the same.   

Pastor Ted Traylor                  

Coming up is the second anniversary of the devastation and destruction our region of the country suffered from Hurricane Katrina. Through that experience many lives have been touched, both as recipients and givers. I have attached a letter which speaks for scores who have been grateful for those that reached out at a time when so much needed to be done for so many.

Our church has received the blessings of the Lord because of the generous spirit of our family to lend a hand. May we at Olive always be found faithful.

Pastor Ted Traylor

August 21, 2007

After preaching in three locations in Alabama and spending several days with my parents and mother-in-law, Liz and I are glad to be home. Like many church members we have enjoyed a few days away as the summer comes to a close. Now we are ready for the fall kickoff at Olive. It begins this weekend with Team Building Sunday in the morning and a glorious choir concert Sunday evening. Don’t miss this day at Olive.    

On Wednesday and Thursday of last week I spoke at the Manna on the Mountain Conference for the Sand Mountain Baptist Association. The 400 seats in Happy Home Baptist Church were packed and about 150 others sat in the overflow and participated as they watched on a large screen in the gym. The music was glorious. People wept and shouted during the meeting. Joy filled the place. God broke through with conviction and restoration. It was like an old-time revival camp meeting. My soul has been refreshed. I look forward to being back in the meeting again next year.    

My home church in Pisgah is seeing a breakthrough. For several weeks a small group has been meeting with the pastor to pray. I sat in on the prayer session Wednesday morning. For over an hour the group called out to God about needs and pleaded for revival. The Lord has been answering. Young families are beginning to return to the church. Life is evident in the fellowship where I grew up. Joy fills my soul to see the fire fall on the mountain in North Alabama once again. Blessed be the name of the Lord!   

I challenge you today to renew your commitment to prayer. What I experienced last week is what all churches need to have happen. O God, let the fire fall on Olive! 

Pastor Ted Traylor                     

I want to thank you for praying for me while I have been away. God has been at work. I spoke twice last week at the Manna on the Mountain Conference. It was a time of revival in my soul. I will never be the same after hearing my old friend Bill Stafford preach about the death to self and success. I entered into self-crucifixion to the desires of success. The Holy Spirit moved in my heart with specific instructions for the future. Praise His name! He is faithful!

This week I am in Scottsboro, Alabama, at the Calvary Baptist Church in a revival. The meeting started Sunday morning. I am staying with my parents and having some great time with them. We begin each day at 6 a.m. with a three-mile walk. Then I preach at noon and again at 6:30 p.m. I have had fellowship with scores of old friends from high school and junior college days. On Sunday two of my former college professors showed up for church. One had been my voice and speech teacher. Now that will put humility in one’s soul.

I look forward to being home with you this Sunday for Team Building Day. And then we will hear the great concert from the choir that evening. Call every Olive member you know and invite them to the BIG day. I can’t wait to see you.

Pastor is away from a computer today.  Be sure to check back Tuesday for his next post.

It started on the campus of Pace High School where I spoke to 100 faculty members on their first day of in service. It is always good to be with those who are influencers in the lives of our young people. I had 20-25 minutes to share a word of inspiration and motivation with the group. This was my first Power Breakfast!

After the meeting I drove 350 miles north where I preached in the historical Central Baptist Church of Decatur, Alabama. In the next few weeks this church is relocating across town to a new campus. This is a bold move and one that is needed. Pray for them. The Monday night service was blessed of God. I believe they were encouraged, I know I was.

 After dinner I drove 45 minutes to meet Liz at her mom’s. We will be here for a few days. She and I are both speaking in conferences later in the week in addition to spending time with family.

Monday evening our staff and other volunteers spent two hours calling the Olive family. The effort was to invite everyone to be present at Team Building Sunday on August 26. This will be a high attendance day as we kick off the fall at Olive. As you see fellow church members throughout the next couple of weeks encourage them to join you on August 26.

Have a great day living for Jesus.

Pastor Ted Traylor      

The football countdown is here. By the end of the month, the gridiron will be lined and ready to go. Hopeful players on all levels are sweating it out to get a playing spot. Pre-season polls are being printed and predictions are flying. Sports talk radio is warming up for the action. Football is in the air.
 
A few days ago, I picked up a copy of Quiet Strength by Coach Tony Dungy. In this book the winning coach from the last Super Bowl shares the principles, practices and priorities of a winning life. You will read of the faith of Coach Dungy and the huge part it has played in his life. I recommend this book to you. It is a must for the Christian who is a football fan. However, you will find strength for the journey even if you don’t know a hatchback from a quarterback. Tony has something to say to everyone.
 
Coach Dungy will challenge you with his faith walk. He speaks to issues and situations he has walked through. He has lost a son to a tragic death. He has been fired. He talks about how to know the right one to marry. Success is also something one must learn to handle. Tony will help you there. He is a winner and so is the book.
 
Get ready to support your favorite team this fall. And don’t forget to join the Olive team on Team Building Sunday – August 26.

Pastor Ted Traylor

This week is the time for university students to pack their bags and get ready for the fall term. On Sunday, August 12 we will pray over all of the students who are able to be with us. Many will quickly be on the road to school. Others will be traveling to Pensacola to begin the semester at the University of West Florida. Ministry opportunities abound for us as we reach out to these students.    

I remember the first time I moved out and headed for a dorm. That first night was not fun at all. I was an incoming junior and had been assigned a roommate I had never met. He came in drunk the first night. Yes, it was a Baptist school! In a couple of days we knew we were not a good match and started looking for a way to work a trade. That soon came and a minister of music named David Helms moved in with me. For two and a half years we had a great relationship.    

The first night for me in Crawford Johnson Hall was one with tears. I was lonely and needed a friend. Ron Wilson walked in and introduced himself. He lived just down the hall. He became a good friend and fellow traveler in the Religion Department classes.   

Here is a novel idea. Adopt a student this term. Make a friend of this individual. Send mail if they are away in another city. If they are in Pensacola, away from their family, have them over for a meal on a regular basis. You can also slip them $20 from time to time. These ideas work with students at NAS as well. Students need friends who pray for them. I’m grateful to have had good friends who, along with my great parents, made an impact in my life as a college student.

Ted Traylor

BA Samford University 1977 

August has arrived. Students and teachers are preparing to return to school. In less that 30 days football is back. The summer break is coming to a close. Watch for newcomers to the area. This is the month families make the move to a new community and focus on getting their kids ready for school. As you see them moving in, be sure to go over and give them a warm welcome to the Florida panhandle. This may open a door to the Gospel and to Olive.    

Cinderella was a huge success in July. We are going to do it one more time. The presentation will move to the worship center on Thursday evening, September 6 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 and go on sale this weekend at the Olive Main Office box office. There is no dinner for this one. It is designed as a fundraiser. All proceeds will go to the Saenger Theater reconstruction project. This will be a great way to give back to our local arts community. Dr. Leo Day will open the production with three songs. Then the Olive cast will entertain the crowd with the “True Story of Cinderella.” Invite a friend to purchase a ticket. They will have a fun evening while helping a worthwhile community project.    

This Sunday I will continue the sermon series on “The Prayers of Jesus.” We will also have five guests with us from Kazakhstan.  Their music will be fabulous. I look forward to seeing you Sunday. 

Pastor Ted Traylor