On Thursday morning Baptist Hospital announced plans to purchase West Florida Hospital and become our new neighbor across University Parkway. Federal regulators approval and other details will be ironed out in months to come. Then a 60-80 million-dollar construction enhancement will begin. Olive has always had a good relationship with West Florida and the doctors group that owns the office tower. The medical records building on our side of the street will remain as is at this time. Through the years we have shared parking with the records building as well as the Cancer Center across the street. I received a call from Baptist on Friday telling me of the coming purchase and assuring me we had a friend and neighbor in the new owners. I expect we will continue to be partners in helping people in NW Florida.

Today is the last day of VBS. We had a wonderful evangelism appeal on Thursday with many boys and girls coming to faith in Christ. Now we must follow up with them and connect to any new prospective families. I want to say well done to Dennis Dean and his army of workers. Pulling off an event like this is not easy.

Around noon on Thursday, we took a major lightning strike on the church campus. Phones and other equipment were affected. Be patient as you try to call. Our IT department is working hard to get us back up to full speed. Some parts are being shipped overnight to us and we anticipate a quick fix. But you never know for sure until you get everything online.

Have a great weekend.

Pastor Ted Traylor