July 25, 2021
What’s in a name?” (William Shakespeare, English Dramatist & Poet). If I may borrow from Old Will and change it a wee bit to speak to this Pastor’s history. Let’s call it “What’s in a year?”. In the year of 1936, this Pastor was born in Waco, Texas, nearing the end of the great depression. A time of extreme segregation and racial strife. But God had a plan and a purpose. “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5) In the year of 1954, this Pastor joined the United States Marine Corps. God is still working His plan. “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” (Isaiah 43:2) In the year of 1957, this Pastor met and married Thelma Odessa Flix. (If you are doing the math, that’s sixty four years). “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.” (Proverbs 18:22) And in the year 1953, we began a career with the United States Postal Service that continued over thirty-five years. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor devices, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) And in the year of 1973, this Pastor was called to the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. So began a journey of love, and through-out the journey the faithfulness of God has been on display. Very early on we appropriated Hebrews 13:5 as a rule for pastoring; “Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said “I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.”” (NIV)
Dear Ones, to God be the glory for all He has done. Thank you for your follow-ship.
Pastor J. Amos Jones
