Dear Friends,
    We again want to thank you all for taking a few minutes to look over our monthly newsletter. It has been a good August and a very busy month too. We hope you are well and enjoying the blessings of the Lord.
    We started August in Winston County, Mississippi, at Murphy Creek Baptist Church. Pastor Walter Simmons invited me to preach their summer revival on August 1-6. I have preached at Murphy Creek several times before, and I received the same warm welcome as always. It was a Sunday through Friday meeting, including 11:00 a.m. services on Monday through Friday. I had known Bro. Walter on a casual basis, but really enjoyed getting to know him and his wife, Jewell, a lot better. They treated us so good during the week, including meals at their house during the week nights, after church.
    The guest singer/song leader for the week was Bro. Scott Gregory, a.k.a. "Scotty G." Bro. Scott wears many hats. Besides being a Minister of Music, he is also the Winston County Coroner. He also is an early-morning disc jockey at 107.1 FM in Louisville, Mississippi. He has so much going on, that he stays in a run. He likes it though, because he loves speed! I accused him of being full of Red Bulls all the time. He has raced cars and still races quite a bit all over the county, in his Dodge Charger, (with an aftermarket chip in it). He sings and sounds just like Kenny Hinson, of the original Hinsons. Bro. Scott did a great job in the mornings and each night. He usually sang a mini-concert before each night service. Bro. Scott’s wife, Autumn, and daughter Anna Faith, was in almost every service too. It was good to meet and spend time with them during the week. There is a special story behind how they got Anna Faith through God’s providential power. Anna Faith is a true gift from God.
    It was great to my good friend, Dr. Paul Blanchard, who is the Associational Director of Missions for the Winston County Baptist Association. It was just a great week at Murphy Creek, and God sent a refreshing to us all and good things happened in the revival. Thanks to Bro. Walter, Jewell and all the Murphy Creek folks.
    The second Sunday of August was a pulpit supply at Lucern Congregational Methodist Church, near Union, Mississippi. The church is still without, and searching for a pastor. I appreciate the Lucern folks for letting me fill their pulpit occasionally. We had a good day at Lucern.
    The third Sunday in August took us up to Attala County, Mississippi, to Doty Springs Baptist Church. Doty Springs is out in the country a few miles east of Kosciusko, Mississippi, and is right on the Attala/Winston county lines. The Pastor, Bro. Larry Odom invited me to come preach their summer revival as well. It was one of the most refreshing churches we have been to thus far. The congregational singing was some of the best. The church just sang until they got through, and then gave me all the time I needed to preach. I do not mind how long the singing lasts, in fact, the longer the better, as long as I am not rushed either. Jarvis Banks is the song leader at Doty Springs, and did a great job putting together all the good music. She led us in the old camp meeting type songs. We saw some wonderful things happen at Doty Springs. It was my first time there and I hope it will not be the last. Thanks again to Bro. Larry, Janis, and all the Doty Springs family.
    Our fourth date in August was at Parkside Baptist Church in Byram, Mississippi. The Pastor, Bro. Fred Hutto invite me to preach for their August 22-26 revival. Bro. Fred and wife Bette are two of the most gracious folks you will ever meet. Bro. Fred has been preaching for over 51 years, and has been around the block a few times. He has seen ups and downs, having experienced some very serious health issues, but God has been gracious and brought him through them all. The Huttos are having the time of their lives at Parkside Baptist Church. I have told people that this week at Parkside was the closest to revival I have seen yet, particularly on Tuesday night. There was a holy hush that came over the entire place. You could almost hear the brush of "angels’ wings". God’s power was so strong and evident. God came in great conviction, many adults each night were moved and openly wept. There were testimonies and tears, rededications, new members and rejoicing each night. As a friend says, it almost "got out of the banks".
    Parkside's song leader is Bro. John Sanders, who does a great job with all the congregational and choir songs. There is a lot of talent in the church, including Regina Meadors on the piano. Their sound/tech man, Joey, is as talented as they come. There are several groups and individuals in the church who blessed us all. The choir at Parkside was packed full each night and along with the congregation, gave us some of the best singing I have heard to date.
    Our guest singer for the week was my friend, Bro. Ray Gates. Bro. Ray is Minister of Music at Galilee Baptist Church near Puckett, Mississippi, and sings with Hosanna. His church has just honored him with a big celebration and reception for completing twenty-five years at Galilee! We all have favorite preachers and singers; well, Bro. Ray is one of my all-time favorite singers. He has a deep, smooth bass/baritone voice. He has enough volume to burst the windows, but is very controlled and expressive. I enjoy Bro. Ray Gates as well as anyone I know. His singing talent is only exceeded by his humble, gracious spirit, which makes what he sings, that much better. All I can say about Parkside is, that God showed up like we seldom see. I am very grateful to Bro. Fred and Bette Hutto for having us at Parkside. I believe I was blessed more than anyone in the revival meeting.
    To close out the month, we sang and I preached again at Lucern Congregational Methodist Church, near Union, Mississippi. We had a good day, and appreciate the church asking me to preach for them as they search for a pastor.
    Well it has been a good month for us and we are grateful for every open door the Lord gives us. He has been so faithful for all these years. We also want to thank all of you who have been so faithful to stand with us financially and prayerfully. Your gifts, encouragement and prayers help to keep us going. I welcome some brand new newsletter recipients this month as well.
    I appreciate all the pastors who give us a good word of recommendation after having had us in their churches. Thank you for your confidence in us. I appreciate all the pastors who think of us when in need of a pulpit supply also.
    I want to close out with a quick look at our schedule. It is always good to have friends and supporters to come visit us in revival meetings when we are close to your area. Please call if you plan on driving in because plans change and sometimes we have to re-schedule or even cancel meetings.

The Lord willing, this is where we will be in September 2010 . . .

5                 Hazel Baptist Church                     Lake, Mississippi                     no pastor

12-15         Canaan Baptist Church                 Columbus, Mississippi             P.J. Mortenson, Pastor

19-23         Oakland Grove Baptist Church     Laurel, Mississippi                   Mike Powell, Pastor

26               Hazel Baptist Church                     Lake, Mississippi                     no pastor

Your Fellow Servants,