Tag Archives: speaking

Mercedes Drive Church of Christ

Personal Thoughts

My thanks to the good people in Vance, Alabama and the Mercedes Drive Church of Christ for their marvelous hospitality during my stay with them this week. I was invited to conduct their summer gospel meeting which was held in the Vance Civic Center not far from the Mercedes Benz plant near between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. This congregation is in its third year and is already growing. Their first building loan has been approved and their is an air of excitement throughout the area. 25,000 people live within a 10 mile radius of the new church building so their is ample evangelism work to be done.

Doug Milligan is the preacher there and also serves as the prinipal of West Blocton High School. He is supported by many in the area who are working to plant a viable, growing congregation. I appreciate Doug and the invitation to be with them. I am also indebted to Jay and Kitty Waldrop and their family for providing my meals. Their daughter Kelli and husband David, along with Teri and her husband John provided meals during the week as well. I was warmly received and cared for. Thanks!

If you are eve in the area visit Mercedes Drive. You will be wonderfully received.

Mercedes Drive Gospel Meeting

Bible General, Church

It’s a great honor to be speaking this weekend to the Christians near Vance, Alabama. Located between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham this small community came to prominence some years ago when Mercedes-Benz built their first North American automobile assembly plant here. The area has grown and is continuing to grow along the I-20 corridor. For many years some Christians had a dream of planting a new church in the area. Two years ago that happened when a small group began meeting in a nearby motel meeting room.

Today, the group has grown and is activly pursuing plans to evangelize the area. Their goal is to bring simple New Testament Christianity to the area. They understand that the goal is not to erect glorious buildings with equally glorious amounts of debt. Instead, they want to bring the simple Gospel message of Jesus Christ to the lost. These good people, some of whom I have known all of my life, have kindly invited me to speak for their first ever Gospel meeting. They have rented the Vance, Alabama civic center and have been busy inviting people to attend. I am truly humbled to have been asked to be a part.

If you are in the area come and taste the ancient flavor of New Testament teachings. You will be warmly welcomed and never made to feel uncomfortable. Services are Friday and Saturday at 7 PM and Sunday at 9, 10 and 1 PM. An old fashioned fellowship meal will follow the 10:00 service.

Speaking in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Bible General,

I’ve been honored to be asked to preach this weekend in the small city of Vance, Alabama as part of a 2nd year anniversary for the Mercedes Drive church of Christ. Vance is the city where Mercedes Benz built a automobile manufacturing plant several years ago. Located along I20/59 between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, the area is a rapidly growing commercial sector with many new neighborhoods springing up through the area.

Mercedes Drive was planted two years ago with the support and encouragement of churches throughout Tuscaloosa County. I look forward to spending the weekend with them. I’ve been asked to speak on topics of perseverance and pressing onward in our Christian fight. The congregation is taking this effort seriously and have rented a civic center in Vance for their sessions Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I am honored and blessed to be able to be a part of these activities.

I am excited that my wife, Bobbi, will be able to travel with me. It should be a great weekend! Terry Cagle is speaking in my absence at Eastern Shore Sunday morning and Dave Pahman from Mobile Christian will be here Sunday night.and will do his usual fine job.