The world measures a man by his ability to acquire material things. It says that it takes many things to be a great man, but the word of God teaches us that the spirit of God is bigger than all the things of the world. Matthew 16:26 asks, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" The spirit of God is more important than the things of this world. The things of this world will perish, but the spirit of our God will live forever.

As I celebrate this 30-year milestone, I have a renewed spirit in God. I am a victor through him and I am a winner and a conqueror. I thank God for allowing me to serve as the shepherd of "The Grove", for each trial and each blessing. I thank him for the old church on the hill that paved the way for the beautiful edificewe now enjoy . I thank Him for Jean and Benny and each new day. He so graciously allows me to see, I thank Him for each of you.

I challenge each of you to read Psalms 51:1 & 10: "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the mulititude of thy tender mercies blot our my transgressions. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me".

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Benjamin Lockhart, II