FEBRUARY 9~CELEBRATING GOD’S CHOSEN VESSELS FOR HIS PURPOSE AND DIRECTION

1 Thessalonians 1:3 “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”

CALLED TO LEAD

Thanks be to God for true God-fearing leaders. You’ve pressed on through some difficult times and we’ve watched you sing, pray, cry, and enjoy life together.  Your labor of love is appreciated not only once a year but, daily.  You two are deserving of a blessed due season.  It’s good to know that weary or giving up days are not an option for you!~ Thank you!

Anna Lockett

FEBRUARY 8~CELEBRATING GOD’S CHOSEN VESSELS FOR HIS PURPOSE AND DIRECTION 

Colossians 3:2 “ Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

GODLY LEADERSHIP, A GIFT FROM GOD

Antonio Nixon

FEBRUARY 6~CELEBRATING GOD’S CHOSEN VESSELS FOR HIS PURPOSE AND DIRECTION 

Galatians 6:9 “ And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

A SEASON OF BLESSINGS

As Pastor and First Lady, you are amazing examples of how to live a “Holy” life.  Your constant prayers and acts of love are greatly appreciated.   If there were weary moments or feelings of giving up, we couldn’t see it.  Thank you for pressing on and not losing heart because a due season of sure blessings is in store for you both.  Thank you for all that you do for the kingdom of God!

Anna Lockett

FEBRUARY 4~CELEBRATING GOD’S CHOSEN VESSELS FOR HIS PURPOSE AND DIRECTION 

1 Timothy 5:17 “ Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”

GOD’S APPOINTED LEADERSHIP

We should truly be thankful for godly leadership, and always remember that God gives us pastors according to His heart. Certainly this fact alone is due double honour.  We must trust the heart of God!

Michael Perryman

FEBRUARY 3~CELEBRATING GOD’S CHOSEN VESSELS FOR HIS PURPOSE AND DIRECTION 

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 “  And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”

UNTIRING LABOR OF LOVE

To know them which labor among you means that you actually have to be an active participant (INVOLVED) with the actual labor being considered; I have worked alongside Pastor and Lady Bender for 20 plus years in many areas of ministry (most notably the choir and praise team).  My love and respect for their years of sacrifice and faithfulness to God’s People has multiplied exponentially.  I hold them in such high regard because of their labor of love through the years and not just because of their current position.  Remember, “The position will not make the people, but THE PEOPLE WILL MAKE THE POSITION! CHOSEN BY GOD!!!”

Prothaniel Harris

FEBRUARY 2~CELEBRATING GOD’S CHOSEN VESSELS FOR HIS PURPOSE AND DIRECTION 

I Timothy 5:18 “For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.  And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” 

IT’S A BLESSING TO BE CHOSEN AND USED BY GOD!

Pastor and First Lady Bender, I thank God for choosing both of you as my spiritual leaders.  Pastor, the Lord has blessed you and Lady Bender with such compassion and love for His people. Thank you and Lady Bender for seeking God for His guidance and instructions on how to lead His people. I am looking forward to higher heights and deeper depths in the Lord.  Be encouraged for your labor is not in vain! 

Anita Cochran

FEBRUARY 1~CELEBRATING GOD’S CHOSEN VESSELS FOR HIS PURPOSE AND DIRECTION 

Jeremiah 3:15 “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

SHEPHERDS LIKE MY HEART 

A compassionate and affectionate description that illustrates the personal relationship God desires to have with His children is that of a shepherd and his sheep.  A devoted and loving shepherd is one who watches over them, deeply cares for them, and protects them so that none of the sheep stray away.  If any wander away, he would search diligently until he finds them.  The phrase “after my heart” literally means like my heart.  Saints, what a blessing that God has called and blessed us with in the persons of Pastor Bender and First Lady Bender who have a heart like Him, who feed  the saints with spiritual nutrients, who serve fervently and faithfully, and who truly care for God’s flock. 

Cedric Love

January 31~SPIRITUAL SOCIAL DISTANCING:  DIE NOW TO LIVE LATER

Romans 8:13  “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

During this pandemic, we’ve all had to make some uncomfortable decisions that has caused us to physically distance from from family members, our jobs (for some), leisure activities, and our church services to help mitigate the risk of contracting COVID-19.  Distancing is applicable and vital to our spiritual well-being as well.  If we put nothing in place to distance ourselves from our sin-nature and mortify the deeds of the body through the Spirit, we then put our spiritual health in jeopardy.  In the natural, medicines are being developed and tested at rapid rates to treat COVID-19 patients, but God has provided a cure-all to sin called the Holy Ghost.  Together with prayer and fasting, the Holy Ghost allows us to live victoriously now and in the life to come.

Reginald Barker