THE MARK OF DISCIPLESHIP
Let me take you to the heartland of hospitality, to our Mid-South Conference. I’m guessing that many of you are as unfamiliar with this conference as I was. So, read on and learn. Last weekend Linda and I traveled to Mississippi for the twenty-third annual Mid-South meeting held at Frazier Grove, twenty miles north of Meridian, MS. Some of you may recall when the late Pastor Herb Hogue and other church leaders from “ole Miss” sought fellowship with the CGGC in the early ‘80s. Dick Wilkin and Darrell Prichard deserve a lot of credit for helping this to happen. At that time there were four congregations: Bayou La Batra, Bethel, Frazier Grove and Mt. Carmel. In 2005, Pastor Alan Hawkins began Hands of Hope in New Orleans adding a fifth congregation as a response to the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.
The work in Mississippi originated when five families came together in 1911 and put up a brush arbor as a result of local revivals. Over the next 20 years or so there were two tabernacles and an additional brush arbor erected. In 1929, the folks at Frazier Grove called Walter L. Evans as their pastor and he served until 1957. The Frazier Grove congregation built their first bethel (meeting house) in 1935, followed by the second in 1955 and their present facility in 1996. Shortly after the Mid-South Conference joined the CGGC, Pastor Herb Hogue retired and Gordon and Wilma Jenkins accepted a call to pastor the Church of God at Frazier Grove. In 2002, brother Joey Everett and his wife Linda began their ministry at the church. Currently the other ministers in the Conference include: Fred Frazier, Jimmy Frazier, Jack Harry and Alan Hawkins. David Hogue, Herb’s son, serves as the conference treasurer.
Linda and I shared dinner with the Everetts on Saturday night followed by a couple hours of conversation on personal and spiritual matters. We felt an instant bond in Christ that was confirmed as we visited together. They were so gracious. On Sunday we went to the church for the conference session and met many more brothers and sisters in Christ. We felt wonderfully welcomed. As it turned out there was not a quorum for official action. That had to be disappointing to the leadership. I encourage you to pray for the pastors and churches of our Mid-South Conference. It’s very difficult for them, given their small size, to get everybody together. Reports were shared and both Linda and I had an opportunity to address the assembly.
After the morning worship service everybody adjourned to the fellowship hall for a “pot luck” dinner. Here’s where the hospitality really stood out! There were many choice selections and desserts. It was a lot like church spreads elsewhere that I’ve attended, but the menu had a special Mississippi flavor. Of course, I enjoyed it all! Well, most of it as one couldn’t sample everything. Afterwards we reassembled in the sanctuary for a time of singing and praising. It had a neat old-time brush arbor feeling. Linda and I did a duet. It was fun. When we all parted everyone encouraged us to return soon. The Mid-South may be smaller in number than our other conferences, but there’s no lack of Christian hospitality and friendship. It’s something I think every local church and every regional conference should continue to promote. It’s the mark of discipleship after all (John 13:34, 35).
Ed
The Frazier Grove Sanctuary
