MEN’S MINISTRY: It was such a joy to be a part of this year’s Men’s Ministry at our church, FBC, Millington. Approximately 220 men participated in the two day event. When I share with men I am acutely aware that the four greatest challenges most men face are pride, sexual purity, success, and being a godly husband and father. I have found that character studies from the Bible of the lives of men are very powerful messages to men. Some of the themes the Lord has blessed include…

- "How To Affair-Proof Your Marriage" (From the life of David)

- "Principle of Purity" (Proverbs 5)

- "The Man God Is Looking For" (Ezekiel and Joseph)

- "Passing The Tests Of Life" (Joseph)

- "A Portrait of a Successful Man" (Joseph)

- "The Kind Of Lover Your Wife Needs" (Ephesians)

- "The High Cost Of Compromise" (Lot)

- "Navigating The Minefield Of Fatherhood" (without getting blown up)

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES: It has been my privilege to lead many leadership conferences for pastors in the area of effective Sunday School leadership, deacons, and/or staff. Having pastored a growing church of 1,200 to 1,500 in weekly attendance and led a multiple staff as well as having served in much smaller settings I seek to communicate timeless biblical principles which work in any church setting.

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT CONFERENCES/REVIVALS: I have had the joy of leading several Family/Marriage Revivals where each service we would focus on the family. Some of the messages include…

-"Living In The Hanoi Hilton" (Overcoming communication challenges in marriage) Note: I borrowed the title from a great message I heard Gil McKee preach when he was at Highland in Florence several years ago.

- "How To Survive Parenthood"

- "Until Debt Do Us Part" (Financial freedom for families)

- "Reviving Romance In Marriage"

- "What Do We Have Here?" (Helping couples understand each other)

- "Termites In Your Troth" (The little things that "eat away" at a marriage)

- "The Ten Commandments of a Happy Home"

- "Building Your Dream Home"...and others.

I was honored when one pastor, Jim Blaylock, at Corinth Baptist Church in London, KY, where I have been in three revivals, told me he was going to ask every couple planning to get married to listen to the messages I preached there on the home.

REVIVALS: It is this ministry of evangelism and encouragement that I enjoy most.

Many of you have asked about Lib’s health. I am happy to share that she is doing well. One year ago she broke her elbow and, after three surgical procedures and many hours of therapy, she decided against any further surgery and continues to improve as she does therapy at home.

One of my blessed experiences of January was our annual Men’s Conference at FBC Millington. Not only did I have an opportunity to share with our men, along with our friend, Junior Hill, but our oldest son, Jamie, was the worship leader and guest soloist for the conference and the One-Day Revival Junior led the following Sunday. Jamie is a layman with a wonderful testimony which is incredibly effective with men. I was so thankful to be a part of such a glorious weekend. It was very humbling to have both of my adult sons in the conference. I had to do a bit of confessional preaching in that I wish I better understood these principles of parenting when they were younger.

You may hear a selection of songs from Jamie on our web site. He really is my favorite singer, but that is how a proud dad is supposed to feel.

Joey, our youngest son, is in the process of buying a house and is considering seeking a transfer within the Sheriff’s department to the motorcycle division. He is teaching his son, Owen, to hunt and gave him a 410 pump shotgun for Christmas.

The boys and I had a great time hunting this year. Jamie got two deer, one with his bow and the second, an eighteen point buck, whose rack scored 165, with his rifle. I just got one small buck this year but we had a great time. I enjoy the extra time I have home in December and January with family. God is good!

In our annual board meeting in January one of our fine businessmen suggested that we consider developing a video e-mail list whereby we would send brief video e-mails to pastors updating them on our ministry regularly, i.e., putting a face, voice, and personality with our correspondence. I would like to include you on that e-mail list. If you are not presently receiving e-mails from me but would like to be included on the video e-mail list please send me your e-mail address at .

This may sound like a rather presumptuous title for an article until you understand that the reasons your church needs revival are the same reasons every church needs revival. Your church needs revival because…

1. Many families in your church are struggling with conflict, financial stress, marital stress, parenthood, and more.

2. Many in your church are discouraged because of life events, crises, difficulties, etc.

3. There are those in your church struggling with doubt about their salvation. Note: I emphasize principles of assurance...not doubt.

4. There are more broken relationships in your church than most people realize.

5. There are many among lay leadership, staff, and even pastors who have lost their vision and enthusiasm for the Lord’s work.

6. There are those in your church caught in the trap of pornography, infidelity, and/or other immoral lifestyles.

7. There are issues in your church that are very difficult for a pastor, who knows what is going on, to address without alienating some members.

8. Even pastors need "times of refreshing" for their ministries.

9. There are lost people in your congregation every week who desperately need to know the Lord. Sometimes a new voice can lend them a new perspective on their need to be saved.

10. Your church, as every church, desperately needs God’s wind of revival to awaken men from lethargy, complacency, and compromise. May the Lord send revival to His church.