EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RETURNS FROM NORTH CAROLINA AND VIRGINIA -- May 7, 2008

Mark recently returned from The Atlantic District Conference of The Evangelical Methodist Church. He is credentialed as an ordained minister in the EMC. While he was there, he was asked to speak just to the pastors. It is a relatively small denomination and the pastors don't have a lot of contact with each other. Since Mark began his ministry serving a five-point charge in the mountains of PA, he was able to identify with those who feel isolated at times and all the emotions associated with this feeling. He reminded them that the Lord is just as present within the "dark nights" of our lives, although His felt and sweet presence is most often absent at such times. When we experience what feels like a living contradiction, however, we need to yield ourselves and embrace the thick darkness where God's presence also rests, (Ex. 20:21) for here one can discover "the treasure of darkness, riches stored in secret places." (Is. 45:3) Mark assisted them to understand this by defining the nature of darkness. Although "God is light and in Him there is no darkness," (1 Jn. 1:5) these dark nights have nothing to do with sin, but encompass all the difficulties in life we may encounter. By faith, as we choose to enter and embrace the thick darkness of what we may be experiencing, we can also find the gentle guiding hand of the Holy Spirit, whose name literally means, the One who stands along beside us in the very midst of those contradictions. As another great Gospel hymn puts it: "Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light: Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home."

Among privately caring for a few others, Mark and Lynn stopped to see Bob and Joanne Bellman, two very dear friends. Their family moved to Wilmore, Ky in 1962 where Mark was raised. Bob, along with his son Chris, owned a local service station. Bob is another individual who significantly impacted Mark's life during his tumultuous adolescence and early adulthood. Although he didn't condone his behavior, Mark knew Bob loved him with a greater love than he inherently possessed. As Mark shares in his testimony on this web site, this was one of the key components in his conversion nearly 30 years ago. Joanne, of course, remains Bob's faithful prayer warrior who has supported him as his wife throughout his life and ministry and is a very precious and special lady. Bob served as a Lay Pastor at the High Bridge Community Church in KY for a number of years and as a Local Pastor in the UMC in FL before retiring to VA not long ago. Mark has asked all of us to pray for Bob and Joanne as they adjust to this transition in their lives.

During their time away, Mark and Lynn set aside a couple of days for themselves to attend Merlefest, a family oriented Bluegrass Festival, similar to the J.D. Crowe Bluegrass Festival held in Wilmore, KY. The festival included other types of folk music other than just bluegrass, including traditional Gospel Music. Merlefest is held each year in memory of Merle Watson, Doc Watson's son, who was tragically killed in a tractor accident in 1985. Three weeks before he died Doc asked him, "Son, how is it between you and God," to which Merle responded, "I've been on my knees in the woods and I've made my peace with God, and if I have to die, I'm not afraid."

Clearly, there are no guarantees in this lifetime. Have you made your peace with God? As the words to a chorus of a great traditional Gospel song puts it, "I want to be ready, I want to be ready. I want to be ready, Lord, to walk in Jerusalem just like John." Let us know if we can assist you in any way.