Yesterday, I attended First Baptist Church of Hendersonville, TN. Actually, it was the second week I attended -- last week we worshiped with the congregation and heard Ergun Caner preach.
Yesterday was to be the first day of a several week sermon series I would be preaching at First Baptist, but something else was more important: their beloved pastor is struggling and is very ill.
Glenn Weekley has been pastor of First Baptist for almost twenty years. There is something powerful and right about a pastor like Glenn with a long term and faithful ministry. In a smaller city like Hendersonville, everyone knows him. And when people mention his name, they smile. He has dedicated their babies, married their young adults, and buried friends. He is, in the truest sense of the word, their pastor. And he is very sick.
We sang "It Is Well With My Soul," praying it really would be. Executive Pastor Bob Landham brought a powerful message on exultation in tribulation. His challenge was that we exult in the glory of God regardless of the circumstances. Powerful.
I know it is a wonderful thing to see a church reaching its community. I am moved when churches get on mission. But yesterday I was inspired to see 3500 people united in their love and prayers for their pastor. Whether it is a megachurch or a house church, it is a powerful thing to see God's love among God's people.
Bob said, "Brother Glenn teaches us from his ICU room this morning ... many times he reminded us, 'God is less interested in your happiness than he is in your holiness.'"
Yesterday, we experienced a holy moment as God's love was evidenced in a church. Please join them and me as we pray for Glenn Weekley.
The service ended with "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus." We did that in prayer-- but I think when we looked to the left and the right, they would see a lot of Jesus there as well.