By Brenda Cannon Henley
Many of my faithful readers know that my only son is my pastor. Dr. Brent Stancil is senior pastor of Community Bible Baptist Church in Pinellas Park, Florida. We have a large and varied ministry, as well as a vibrant missions program reaching out to thousands around the world. My son and daughter in law have founded an orphanage in Haiti, a country torn with strife, gang control, wars, daily murders, little food and resources that can be used to help others.

There are so many needs within any ministry working in a conflicting country where the government can be the very worst enemy. The children in the care of International Orphanage and Schools are relatively safe compared to those on the streets or in the more mountainous areas that are so difficult to access. The needs are pressing and real and the front line people offering hope and help are ordinary people just like you or me.

The tasks seem so large whether as a church or any other group attempting to reach people here in our country or in a foreign land. What kind of people does God choose to use to man these battlegrounds and help provide hope and health to others?

He uses people who love and trust him and who make themselves available for his work. I have learned over these many years of ministry and meeting people from all walks of life that God doesn’t always call the brilliant, best trained, most educated, or even best looking, by the world’s standards.

I think sometimes God must get a hearty laugh when an unknown or seemingly untrained man or woman makes a big break through in ministry or their faithfulness in serving is rewarded. I had been thinking along these lines as I sat in morning worship, after attending Sunday school with my peers. I looked around the smaller room filled with mostly average, hard working individuals, and thought about how God will and does use any man or woman who will genuinely make himself or herself available to him for service.

Our congregation is comprised of men, women, young adults, teens, and youth from the wealthiest homes along the Gulf Coast of Florida, students who barely get by in getting an education, snowbirds from all over, retired men and women, those who are in good health and those who are very ill, infirm, injured, and elderly. Guess who does the great work of this thriving ministry? Guess who helps others with genuine compassion and concern? Guess who gives the dollars and dimes to fund the ever growing budget? Guess who will welcome visitors with eagerness, love, concern, and a smile?

Every single one of us!

We all join hearts, purses, and energy to offer what we have, through the mercy and grace of God, to those who come our way.

How do we accomplish a loving, caring atmosphere so that when a guest enters our midst, he or she is guaranteed a warm welcome? How do we as staff and members show our training and belief? We use what we have been given by God.

I am amazed at friendships that are formed. It seems that God somehow puts the exact right person in place to be the first to say hello, to offer directions to our nursery, classroom, or a particular teacher.

I was so pleased, as I often am, when my son announced his morning text while carrying a big walking stick in his hand. He went from one side of the pulpit area to the other with his hand carved stick or staff. I still believe in teaching with visuals as I have done for more than half a century. A direct visual gets the attention of any age, and helps to keep it throughout the lesson.

Brent announced his text from Exodus 3 where God asked Moses what was in his hand. Moses replied it was a stick or a staff as a shepherd would use. God told him to throw it down where it would become a serpent. It is a great story where the point was made that we should use what we have. If each of us could just learn this simple truth and put it in to practice, we would see our churches energized, communities rebirthed, families saved, and lives lived differently. What do we have to offer God today?

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at 409 781 8788, or
[email protected]

[BCH: Apr-25-2023]