On Thursday I had two good friends come through Pensacola and stop for a visit. Bob Reccord was for 10 years the president of the North American Mission Board. For the past two years he has been traveling as an itinerant speaker across America. He was in town to speak to the Safe Harbor Ministry gathering at New World Landing last night. This group does a great job of standing for the unborn in the abortion debate. Bob and I caught up over a glass of tea and a light lunch. Good friends are a treasure.

For 30 minutes before last night’s deacons meeting Moses Caesar stopped by to see me. Yes, that is his real name. I met him when he was the campus minister at the University of Mobile when Rachel was a student there. This young man also travels the country in an RV speaking coast to coast. We sat for half an hour and caught up on what God is doing in our lives. This young man excited me about the future of Christianity. Friends are important.

To finish the day I was with our deacons. The first hour of our meeting was given to hearing testimonies from the Charis House. One was from a worker and three others from residents. Each told a story of drugs and crime. But each lady also gave witness of  transformation through their Savior, sweet Jesus. Tears filled the deacons’ eyes as they listened. Each testimony included a “thank God for friends at Olive.” We then concluded with a long period of prayer on our knees. It was one of the best deacons meetings I can remember. These men are my friends and I thank God for them.

Pastor Ted Traylor