My Church

Yesterday my family and I celebrated our 26th year serving our church. 26 years of being the Pastor and Pastor’s family at Avants’ Chapel Freewill Baptist Church.

It has been the most rewarding journey for my family!

At the age of two years old, my parents, myself, and my first little sister made our way from Loris to Cerro Gordo one Sunday morning. Even at two I remember there was less than ten people that Sunday.

When you are faithful to God, he gives you the desires of your heart.

Year after year we found ourself still at Avants’ Chapel. This was “my” church. This was the church I grew up in. I saw the church building itself transform into a bigger and more beautiful sanctuary. I saw the people of the church grow in age and in their christianity. In return they saw us do the same.

This was my home church for 26 years of the 28 years I’ve been alive. The podium in front of the church is where I stood and sang glorious songs to God from the time I knew what singing was until now. Its where God lets me director a choir at and most importantly its where my children stand and sing weekly.

The pulpit has my daddy’s footprints all over it. For the past 26 years he has preached roughly over four thousand services on that pulpit. Over four thousand messages God has gave him to deliver to his flock standing on that pulpit. Its caught his blood, sweat, and tears each week. It’s his stomping grounds.

The altar. The place I ran to a many of times. There have been countless of tears soaked in that altar from people being welcomed into the father’s arms. Tears from the brokenhearted have soaked into it. Hearts were mended on that altar. Sickness were healed and joy was brought back to life.

It’s not about the church as in the building. Its about the church as in who makes the church. The people of God that come together to worship the one on high. For 26 years Ive seen some of the same faces. I have also said goodbye to some and welcomed new ones in. They have seen me fail, seen my hardships, praised me at my highest, and encouraged me at my lowest. Seen me as a sinner fight through conviction and were surrounding me at the altar when I came back. But most importantly they always prayed for me.

For 26 years the people of Avants’Chapel have been the best family to my family and I. I think I can speak for my family when I say thank you for your love and support on this journey. We couldn’t have made it this far without God, each other, and our church family.