Not since Richard Simmons released his 2 Volume “Sweatin’ with the Oldies” 8 Track Cassette has there been any good songs about “Sweating”. This past Saturday I volunteered at James Island Outreach to help in the Backpack School Supply Distribution and free lunch event. It dawned on me, as I was sweating, there are just not that many good songs about sweating and NONE that I know of about sweating for Jesus. I am thinking that is a market waiting to be tapped!
James Island Baptist Church and Emmanuel Baptist Church partnered together to distribute around 150 school book bags filled with school supplies. We started just a minute or two late because of an emergency in the EBC family. Their Associate Pastor was on the way! They kept referring to Pastor A.P. is on the way, Pastor A.P. is almost here, oh here is Pastor A.P. I asked one of their members “Who is Pastor A.P.?” Oh, that is what we call him, he is the Associate Pastor so we call him Pastor A.P… Associate Pastor! I thought, uh oh, my church family will start calling me Pastor O.P….Old Pastor!
Truthfully, when it comes to doing this Back To School Bookbag/School Supplies event, it would be easier in some ways for us to do this event on our own. We could provide all the backpacks, all the hotdogs and chips, all the volunteers. What we could not provide is the opportunity for the community to see two racially different churches work together for the good of the community. We would miss the opportunity to have fun with AP and OP! I asked some of the members of EBC had they ever heard of a song about “Sweatin’ For Jesus”? They agreed with me, there seems to be a lack of good old Gospel songs about “Sweatin’ With the Saints”! OK, songwriters…get busy! Channel your inner Richard Simmons and Gold City Quartet and get creative. Thank you again for your prayers, your financial gifts and your school supply gifts. We still had enough to give to 46 bags to Mount Zion Elementary and several boxes to a Middle School. To God be the glory!
Pastor Tom
P.S. Job 1:21 says “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away, blessed be the Name of the Lord.” This past Monday I received the resignation letter of Joanne Brown our Part-time Director of Children’s Outreach. Joanne has worked with us for years in many capacities. It has been a pleasure having her on the team. We certainly pray God’s very best for her in her new roles at James Island Christian School. She is now working full time at JICS. She still plans to be a part of JIBC but in a volunteer capacity.
On the other hand, the LORD has brought to us a Worship Intern, Cheryl Miller. We have a few details to check out before Cheryl starts. She will be a VOLUNTEER (non-paid) intern serving under Pastor David’s leadership. She will be with us for 3 months as she is preparing for a future ministry as the LORD leads. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.
