Appreciation Day

A Minister of Music/Worship Leader is arguably one of the most important ministry positions in a local church. This minister helps to lead the congregation in preparing their hearts, through worship, to hear and receive the preached Word.

At New Beginnings, we are privileged to have Bill Meadows who is an anointed Minister of Music/Worship Leader. When we were much younger, Bill traveled some with me when I was ministering in Wisconsin, Colorado and Wyoming. He has always been sensitive to the leading of the Spirit. His style is more contemporary, but he does not dismiss the value of some of the time honored traditional Christian hymns. He is up-beat and lively as he leads the congregation into spirited and heart-felt worship.

Tomorrow at New Beginnings we will give special recognition to our Minister of Music and express our deep and heart-felt appreciation to him for his commitment to the ministry into which the Lord has called him.

Bill, you and your family are a tremendous blessing to us and we thank God for you!

Thank You

I would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to everyone for your prayers for and expressions of kindness to the Human family this week. Sonbright Christian Center did such an awesome job of preparing food for the family after the graveside service, and it was wonderful--as usual! SCC has also opened up a portion of the property there for Brent to be buried.

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." ~From a headstone in Ireland

The photograph at the top is from the last time I saw Brent. It was on the day of his daughter's birth--September 20, 2007. This is me, Stephen Eli, and Brent.

What a Friend

I just returned home from Sunbright following the funeral services for Brent Human. I am absolutely amazed at the number of lives Brent touched in his short few years on this earth. By my estimation there were more than 1,000 people who filed through to pay their last respects to Brent and to share condolences with the family. At one point in time they were entering through the basement and filing up and down the room like a maze then going upstairs and wrapping around the outer wall of the building. This went on from about 6 PM to about 8:15. The church was also filled with floral arrangements. The platform, at each end of the coffin, and even into the foyer--more flowers than I think I have ever seen in one location.

When the funeral service began at approximately 8:45, the sanctuary was filled and people standing.

Brent had a tremendous love for life and for his family. All who knew him knew he had a heart for everyone he met, and he had a smile for everyone who crossed his path. The words of Soloman are surely true, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother"(Proverbs 18:24).

Tomorrow Brent will be laid to rest at Sonbright Christian Center at 12 Noon. Please continue to remember this family in your prayers.

Funeral Arrangements for Brent Human

I have received word that the arrangements for Brent Human are as follows:

The family will receive friends tomorrow evening (November 7, 2007) from 5-8 PM Eastern Time at Sonbright Christian Center and the funeral will commence at 8. The church is located at 7211 Morgan County Highway in Sunbright, TN.

Since the family has asked that I preach the funeral, there will be no service at New Beginnings tomorrow night.

The Death of a Friend

My heart has been very sad today as I learned of the tragic death of my friend, Brent Human. I have known Brent since around 1999 when I went to Sunbright as youth pastor. Brent was quite the prankster back then.

When I heard the news, I drove to the Harriman hospital where I was told the family was gathering as they awaited the arrival of the body following the fatal accident. I visited with them for a couple hours until the funeral home picked up the body.

Brent was the son of R. B. & Velma Human from Sonbright Christian Center. He and his wife, Savannah, have two children, the second born a little over a month ago.

For the past hour or so I have been sitting here in my office remembering the many good times and conversations I have had with Brent. He was a good young man whom I am deeply thankful that I had the opportunity to know.

This is a very difficult time for Savannah as well as for R. B., Velma, Bryant (brother), and Victoria (sister). Please remember them in your prayers as well as the rest of the family.

I will post funeral arrangements here as soon as I know them.

Partnering with Guatemala

We were very pleased to have the Byrd family back with us yesterday. David and Vicki and their daughter, Melissa, are "Making a a Spiritual Difference by Meeting Physical Needs" of people in the Camotan, Chiquimula region.

Jesus gave clear instructions that we are to go into all the world (Matthew 28:19-20) sharing the gospel. While all of us cannot go into other nations of the world, I believe God will bless our efforts as we support those who have made such a commitment. I want to thank everyone at New Beginnings for the wonderful offering received yesterday for the Byrds.