As some of you may or may not know. My first year out of college I went on up to Chattanooga, Tennesse to attend Bible College for a year. I didnt live in the dorms I lived with my godmother and godfather Sharon and Kenny. They truly treat me like of of their own and I had cause to go see them this past weekend.
It was a quick trip and unfornately not for a happy situation. See, when I lived in Tennesse it was mandatory to attend church (school rules) but I really didnt want to attend Highland Park which was the church for the school. Instead I got permission to go to church with my godparents. Kenny works for TVA (huge powerplant for the Tennesse Valley Area) and its located in this tiny town of Stevenson, AL, right next to Stevenson is an even smaller town called Bridgeport Alabama. Kenny and Sharon were attending at the time the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport. So yes me and my godsis Tiffany would pile into the car with them and drive 45 mintues and a time zone away to go to church.
Here enters Brother Jim. I never ever met a pastor that went by Brother and not Pastor or Reverend before. hmmm....I mean he was a head taller that most everyone with piercing happy blue eyes a smile on his face and a constand WHOO HOO for all things Wonderful and Christlike. He was pretty amazing. He was known to ask the choir to sing the song again and requested me to sing a lot in church. I saw something in that church I havent seen before, that was driven by the gentle giant that oversaw the church. Depth of Compassion.....
Never before had I seen a pastor call down people to touch agree and pray over people at the altar call. I remember thinking. Wow this is Biblical and hes acting this out! I became passionate about serving. I did Childrens Church every other Sunday (Sharon made me) I was on the Youth Staff and Sang Solo's and in the Choir. I LOVED going to church! I havent been that excited about a church since that time.
Over the years I have to admit I havent always fosterd my relationship with God as I should have, but as God is now teaching me more and more the depth of who he is and how to be more like him. I have to admit that the beginning of that for me started at First Baptist of Bridgeport Alabama Where I saw God Acted out. I learned to Love God there, because I saw how Brother Jim loved Him so transparently. His impact on my life is lasting.
RIP Bro Jim......I know you are much happier in the arms of God.
Signing Out,
Deanna Amarica
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