Today I wanted to share with you a letter from Randy Chestnut, lead pastor at Church of the Hills in the Cleveland, Ohio, area. We have partnered with them and helped to sponsor this new church plant.  They are a part of our mission triangle emphasis this year. We sent a team up there just a few days ago to help conduct a baseball camp and share the Gospel. This is a great example of how the Lord blessed through the partnership of our church and COTH. Here’s the letter:

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers for the Church of the Hills Baseball Camp at Ledgeview Elementary, July 21-24!  A team of 10 volunteers from Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola, Florida, led by Scooter Tucker, OBC Minister of Missions, conducted the camp with the assistance of local volunteers from COTH.  The OBC team spent their mornings working at the local YMCA, painting and cleaning a newly acquired home.  

We had 75 kids in attendance on Monday night and 91 on Tuesday night.  The weather was bad all day on Wednesday, and we had to cancel because of rain.  But we were back at it on Thursday night, and we had 70+ children in attendance.  Scooter shared his testimony (Scooter played for the Cleveland Indians in 1995) with a group of 9-12 year olds.  Seven children indicated they had prayed to receive Christ as their Savior!   Many parents came to the camp each evening and our staff/volunteers had many opportunities to spend some time getting to know them and answering questions about Church of the Hills.  Many parents expressed their gratitude for the camp.  Some even tried to give us money.  What a joy it was to say the camp was a gift to the community that we could give because of the generosity of our partners like OBC!

Please continue to pray for us as we begin the follow-up process with these families. We could not do what we are doing without God’s power and anointing and the prayer, personnel and financial support of wonderful partners like you. God bless you all!

In His Service,

Randy Chestnut

The Presidential race is heating up. Barak Obama and John McCain are moving quickly and running hard toward the national political conventions. On November 4, America will elect a new President. I encourage everyone to go to the polls and vote. Be involved in the process. There is much at stake.

Other items will be on the ballot on November 4. Florida has the Marriage Protection Amendment on the ballot. It is Amendment 2. A YES vote for Amendment 2 preserves the definition of marriage between one man and one woman and prevents activist judges from legalizing same-sex marriage in Florida as they did in Massachusetts and California. Passing this amendment is a challenge because under new state law the amendment must have a 60% majority to win. Surveys show this to be a tight vote. As we already know in Florida, every vote in the Panhandle makes a big difference. I plan to vote YES and encourage you to do the same.

You cannot vote unless you are registered. The deadline to sign up and be eligible for the fall election is October 6. Make sure you have everything in order to vote.

For more information on this important issue visit www.yes2marriage.org

Pastor Ted Traylor

Many of you have been asking about Eddie Echarri and his health. He was taken to the emergency room on Monday after a fall. He has been admitted to Baptist Hospital where he is being cared for. As you are aware he has cancer and is undergoing treatment. Eddie is weak and does not need visitors. A card would be a great touch. The critical need now is prayer. Eddie needs a miracle touch from our Father.

On August 3, 1993 we started Most Excellent Way at Olive. Eddie has been a driving force in this ministry since God saved him from a life of drugs and crime. I will never forget the day he walked forward in Passmore Hall and told me he wanted to give Jesus a try. God did a miracle in salvation that day. Countless numbers of people have been touched by the ministry of MEW in Pensacola in the past 15 years.

On Sunday, August 17, in the 6:00 p.m. service, we will highlight victories in some of the lives eternally changed through the ministry of MEW. If you know of anyone that has been blessed by this ministry, I encourage you to have them at Olive that evening.

A few weeks ago I got on my knees with four deacons in Eddie’s room at Baptist Hospital. We all cried out to God for mercy and healing. I am continuing to ask God for a miracle of healing. Join me today in prayer for my friend and our staff member at Olive.

Pastor Ted Traylor

Our MANDATE at Olive is to be bondservants to Christ, Christians and the community. The Ministry Village at Olive is a place where people can serve. For this movement to expand we will need cash flow and volunteers. Sheila Reed is on board as our fund development director. This Sunday evening I will introduce our new Director of Lay Ministries. This individual will be responsible for enlisting, encouraging and equipping servant volunteers.

Word came to me this week that the Starbucks in our front parking lot is one of the 600 stores nationwide that will be closing. This transition will happen in the next few months according to the information I was given by the store personnel. That means some people are out of a job and need encouragement. What else does it mean? We shall see. Remember our MANDATE.

Liz and I are living on the church campus for about four more weeks until we close on our house and begin a few renovations. I have been riding my bike to work. You learn a lot riding and looking. Each day I pass the bus stop on our campus. From time to time, I stop and talk to waiting riders. Recently I have asked if a covered bench would be of help to them. They always respond with a rousing, “Yes!” Remember our MANDATE.

This Sunday evening I will again be preaching regarding our MANDATE. Join me at 6:00 p.m. for an exciting announcement and a message from the Servant of all servants. Remember, Jesus was a foot washer.  He gave us the pattern and we must follow.

Pastor Ted Traylor

God calls men and women to many roles in life.  However, it troubles me sometimes when we fail to rejoice over fellow Christians who are called to become doctors, teachers, and countless other vocations. Historically, as a church body, we have not done a good job of recognizing believers whose call is found in the “secular” work environment. Yet we must urge our young people to seek God’s call on their life in this matter.

Ordination of Josh Branum

The Wedding of Josh and Lacey Branum

One place we do a good job of affirming and celebrating is the call of a young man to the Gospel ministry. This was the case on Sunday evening as we ordained Josh Branum. This outstanding young man grew up in Pace. He came to Olive as a college student. He worked as an intern under the tutelage of Dr. Stan Lewis.  He is now a student at Southeastern Seminary and has recently become the youth minister at a local church in North Carolina. At  5:00 p.m.  a large group of ordained men gathered for the ordination council. Josh did a super job of answering questions and confirming his call. Then in the evening service we prayed over Josh and Lacey as his ordination was completed. Josh has a keen mind and I am looking for great things out of this young man.

This week our high school students are at camp. Often during this time God does a confirming work in the hearts of students regarding their career path. It is important for a young Christian to find God’s call in his/her life. When they walk in the ways of the Lord, let’s celebrate with them and encourage them in the journey.

Pastor Ted Traylor

Early today in my Bible reading I was reminded of David’s mighty men. There were three who were the leaders of the thirty. All of David’s men were committed and outstanding servant/leaders. But of them there were the ones singled out as “The Three”. These were the men who gave David water from his well in Bethlehem. I stood next to that well while in Israel a few weeks ago. These men were people of service, submission and sacrifice. They risked their lives for another who was their King. Today we need mighty men of God like the three who serve others at the peril of their own lives and reputation. That is the mandate at Olive. We must be servants of the King.

The aim of men’s ministry at Olive is to raise up mighty men of God.  I am often asked what is the key to Olive’s past success. I always begin by saying we have a great group of godly men who have sought to serve the King and serve the church rather than themselves. That remains a key strength in our church. I am glad to see young men stepping up to servant roles and leadership. 

Last night Liz and I walked out to the flag football fields for a short visit. We saw young families all over the three fields. Kids were having a great time. Young leaders were all around. Then at 7:00pm I walked inside Passmore Hall for dinner theater. Servants were everywhere. People commented on the excellent service they received before the fun program began.

SERVICE-That is what we must be about at Olive. We serve Christ, Christians and the community. It is our mandate! 

Pastor Ted Traylor

My dear friend Jean Rae moved back to Pensacola over the weekend. She is in the assisted living facility at Carpenter’s Creek. I had a great visit with her on Monday. While she has four types of cancer her mind is as sharp as ever. She does not need to be overwhelmed with visitors but she would welcome contact from her Olive family. During my time with her we discussed legacy. Miss Jean is the one that God used to push me toward the Ministry Village. She is a former staff member at Olive. In recent years she has left her mark in Perry, Georgia, where she began the jail ministry  as well as other outreach to needy people.

At death we all have a legacy. The word means to bequeath. It is associated with what one gives or leaves behind at death. While it includes money, more than material goods are involved. It also includes influence. In recent months the local paper in Perry wrote about Jean. It was all about her influence and good works. I am glad to have her back in town.

Think about it for a few minutes this morning. When you die (and you will), what will be your legacy? What will you leave? If you are reading this you still have time to work on it. Some people seem to be driven by the legacy they will leave. If you are consumed by what you want people to think of you that is what they will remember. That is a selfish motivation. Spend time pursuing God’s plan and vision. If it is His plan your legacy will be in great shape. Jean Rae isn’t finished yet. But part of her legacy is being shaped in the ground work of the Ministry Village at Olive.

Pastor Ted Traylor

Wednesday evening was a fun and inspirational time at Olive. The 4^th of July picnic fellowship supper was packed. Thanks are due to Juanita Decker and her team. Then we transitioned to the concert /worship time. It was a joy to welcome Allison Durham Speer to our church. She has a gracious spirit and a musical ability that moves many. She led us in a wonderful time of God and Country musical emphasis. She and her husband Brian are the best. Liz and I enjoyed the renewal of friendship with them.

Chaplain Neal Hicks told us of his ministry with his soldiers in Iraq. The pastor’s heart in this man shines through. I am proud of him on several fronts. He is a man committed to Jesus and the Lord’s call on his life. He serves on the US Army team that defends our nations. And he is also one of our own as a Southern Baptist NAMB appointed chaplain. Neal stayed way after church was over to talk with young navy personnel who wanted some of his time.

Pastor Traylor & Chaplain Neal Hicks

As Liz and walked home Wednesday evening we discussed the service. She used the words inspirational and heavy. Most 4^th of July celebrations will be booming this weekend and should be. However, the Wednesday evening service reminded us of the need for prayer in America. This is a great country - the best in the world. But we are in need of a spiritual renewal. That message came through in music and in testimony. It was good to be in the house of the Lord.

I hope all of you have a blessed Friday as our nation celebrates her birth. Then join me on Sunday for a great day of worship. I am preaching a message from Isaiah 30 entitled Why God Waits on America.

Pastor Ted Traylor

Today is July 1. 2008 is half gone. We are now in the second half of the year. What is it you need to do before 2009 arrives? It is time to get started.

This morning Liz, Rachel, Bennett and I began reading One Month To Live. I purchased copies and gave them out a few days ago. Pastor Kerry Shook and his wife Chris wrote this challenge. Our family is taking inventory for thirty days. The opening question in chapter one asks, “If you had thirty days to live what five things would you change about your life?” I have made my list. Now I have work to do.

Pastor Ted Traylor