Jogging With Jesse

The month of September is a good month. Football season begins (thank you Jesus). It was September 18, 1960 that I received my first appointment as a Methodist Minister. That was fifty (50) years ago this coming September 18th. It has been a good run across the years ("I ain't tired of being a Methodist Minister yet.") I remember with fondness my first church located along the Warrior River at Short Creek. Barges filled with iron ore coming from South America were unloaded here to be used at the Still Mill at Farley and Easley, Alabama.

God really blessed a first year "Preacher Boy". In spite of all my wrong doings, lack of knowledge and experience God was at work in our little church. We began with thirty-three (33) members and God increased it to sixty-one (61) in two years. Has seven (7) Baptisms on Profession of Faith in one Sunday. (I was one scared Preacher Boy, never baptized anyone). Our attendance went from eighteen (18) to an average of seventy (70). We had to order more Cokesbury Hymnals. (I am so glad the Good Lord was leading, I didn't know what to do.) My first salary was $800.00 per year, the good folks raised it the next year to $1,600.00 per year. Gas was 25 cents a gallon and my blue Volkswagen was a blessing.

My first church, and the last church I will serve both fill my heart with joy.

Our love to you,

elaine & jesse