New Shepherds for God's Church

Today was a great day for Central, as four men were appointed to serve as elders. In front of a auditorium full of members, visitors, and relief workers, Jim Ingram, David Kilbern, Jim Wetherington, and Gary Boswell were entrusted with the leadership of the Central Church of Christ. Jim Ingram was serving as an elder before the storm, and has now resumed those duties. His leadership, however, continued to remain strong in the intervening months. Jim's father was an elder in the Memphis area many years ago. Jim is an excellent Bible Class teacher and has been in charge of our Correspondence Course Ministry for several years. Jim recently retired from Northrup-Grumman Ship Yard. David Kilbern has established himself as a man among men, a brother with strong leadership skills, a compassionate heart, and a willingness to serve. No doubt tales of David Kilbern's work with hurricane relief have spread across the land with each group that returns home. David and Elaine have, for many years been known as people of service, bringing food to the ill and visiting the elderly. David retired from over thirty years of work at Cable One. He now owns a charter boat business that he hopes to return to one day, when Pascagoula has recovered from Katrina. Jim Wetherington is the youngest appointee. He has served as a deacon for several years. Jim was converted to Christ here in Pascagoula and has been a faithful member for many years. He is a martial arts teacher on occasion. Jim and his wife Julia have served as Sunday School teachers. Though his work schedule keeps him busy, he is involved in many facets of church life. Jim works at Northrup-Grumman Ship Yard. Gary Boswell has also served as one of our deacons for many years. Gary has distinguished himself as our worship leader, a Bible class teacher (as well as his wife, Loree), and someone who works with young people in an exceptional manner. Gary and Loree are excellent hosts, often housing relief workers and others in need of lodging. Gary has been guitar player for the Band of Faith / The Rochelle Harper Band for the past several years. He composed a song honoring the relief workers called, "They Came". Marvin Phillips heard that song, took it to Tulsa, and someone up there put pictures with it and we now have a DVD that we share with those who come to work with us. Gary is employed at Seemann Composites in Gulfport. This morning we read several scriptures that relate to elders and their work, as well as our responsibility to the elders. Then the elders and their families came to the front of the church and we prayed for each of their families by name. The church expressed their apprecation with 'amens' and applause. It was a wonderful time of affirmation. I'll try to get a picture of the new elders asap. This afternoon I spent some time catching up on some lost sleep, reading, and watching TV. It was a nice change of pace! It was also very cool that CMT was running a Hee Haw marathon, and I was able to catch several country music superstars performing in earlier times. The corny humor did make me laugh a few times, which I hate to admit! One of the groups was unable to come down to the coast, so we have about 80 workers here now, with 20 going home Tuesday morning. Our last relief workers on schedule will head home on August 18th. That's not too far away. It's a funny feeling to look down on the work crew report and see that there are times with no workers. This is the first time that I recall since workers started arriving on our Coast after Katrina. I know God will provide, and so many tell us that they are coming back. This is not a hand-wringing session at all ... just noticing and thinking. Mary will go home Wednesday. She has been here cooking for about two months. What a great attitude she has. Such a hard working woman. We will miss her - especially the ladies who work so hard to feed our work crews. Margo, her partner, was here at different times during the summer as well, and she is also a great lady. We call them the "M & Ms", and we feel blessed to have them partner with us in this ministry. Please keep us in your prayers as we face new challenges, and each new day brings new surprises. I personally feel so blessed to have shepherds once again leading the congregation. This operation has evolved every step of the way since day one, and this is a great and significant step for us. God bless you, and thanks for your comments ... they mean a lot to me!