Last week I was in revival at Gaston Baptist Church in Booneville, MS.  Debbie, Josh and I moved to Booneville in 1983 to serve Gaston Baptist as their Minister of Music and Youth.  It was our first full time church and ministry.  We were very young and very inexperienced!  But they still extended a call to us and that is where we began serving the Lord in the local church. 

Booneville is also the place I met Debbie.  A few short years earlier, we attended Northeast Mississippi Junior College in Booneville.  Many of you have heard about me being a cheerleader.  That was where it all happened.  Debbie and I were on the same squad.  Of course, she was the real, good cheerleader.  I just stood around screaming loudly and occasionally doing double stunts with my partner.  Good times! 

It was fun being back.  The only thing that would have made it more fun would have been for Debbie and the kids to be with me.  The church had a "kazillion" questions about the family, our church and ministry.  It was good seeing old friends and church members.  I had the privilege of staying in the home of David and Amy Moore during the week.  David and Amy were good friends when we were there.  They still are.  It was good catching up on life over the years.

Much has changed over the years.  The church moved into a new worship center a couple of years ago.  It is a great facility and I enjoyed worshipping with them in it.  This was the first time I have had the opportunity to see the new building. 

The church just called a new pastor.  Matt and Nikki Brown had been there only a month or so when we began the revival.  Matt preached and did a great job challenging the church each service.  I didn't know until I met Nikki but I know her parents, Ernie and Cynthia WIlemon.  As a child and teen the Hurts and the Wilemons went to the same church, Friendship Baptist in Aberdeen, MS.  What a small world.  The kids of the families practically grew up together!

One of the weirdest things was seeing kids who were in the youth group now adults with children of their own, many with kids in the youth group!  It was 25 years ago!  It was good to see them still faithful and in leadership roles in the church.  That blessed me!

I couldn't help thinking about the investment those folks made in Debbie and me.  They took a chance on the kids and were a loving, gracious and patient people.   We learned a lot about ministry during the 3 years we served there.  For all they invested in us, we will be eternally grateful.  It also made me think about those that we invest in.  You know, those who will be the next pastors/preachers, worship leaders, teachers, missionaries, deacons, faithful prayer warriors and church members. 

I pray God will find us faithful and busy equipping and investing into people whom He will use to do great things someday...if not today!