After all the dust has settled I wanted to write and say what a good job John Chandler did with the Virginia Baptist Pastors conference this year in Virginia Beach. I enjoyed listening to the story of the other pastors and was encouraged by their positive experiences. It was interesting that all of them were different and unique; God uses all kinds of people. I also learned some neat things from Leith Anderson.
I almost did not come because of the tragic death of Boy Scouts the Sunday before the conference in a fiery auto accident in which four people burned to death. One of the boys was a member of my church. His brother was in the other car and he saw and heard his brother die. The funeral was Thursday afternoon. Tuesday afternoon and night I arranged for a crisis intervention team to be in our community. The family had also asked that I be their spokesman to the media. I asked the Lord to provide the words I needed for the funeral and to comfort the family while in Virginia Beach. When I got to Thalia Lynn Baptist Church I sat in the corner and the Lord began to speak to me and gave me the framework on which to build the funeral message.
Leith Anderson gave me a great illustration to use. Many pastors had heard of the tragedy and prayed for me and gave me many encouraging words. I ate supper with Bud Goode, who pastors the same church I once did in Williamsburg, and he was very therapeutic and helpful. There were more than 700 people at the funeral. God gave me what I needed through the funeral service but afterwards I went into deep grief and sorrow that lasted about a week and a half. My church ministered to me and help get me through. I have the best church in the state.
I wanted to say that the conference provided an environment by which not only was I ministered to, but received the words I needed. God worked through it to minister to people in my community. We often do not know the good we do or the influence we have. So I just wanted to write and express my gratitude at this season of Thanksgiving.
Tommy Speight, Courtland