Many of you pray for my wife and I and the Churches we Pastor, Thank you! Felt like sharing a little history about both Churches we Pastor. First, the Camden Southern Methodist Church. In 1977 three Godly gentlemen and their wives were “fed up” with all the “liberal” theology in their previous Churches. They got together and started a prayer meeting in a local restaurant in Camden S.C. called DeBruls. They and their wives met each week for prayer and some Scripture readings. Determined to be used by God for his Purposes they sought the Wisdom of God. Well God led them to an old beer joint\convenience store located on Haile street. The store had already been bought by a previous congregation who renovated the building. Their numbers dwindled and they decided to sell. The door opened for the Lord to answer the faithful prayers of a few of His Children. Determined as never before, they pulled their resources together and bought the property. The First Southern Methodist Church in Camden opened their doors for Ministry. The Camden Church struggled for some time keeping Pastor’s. All previous Pastor’s stayed on average of 1 to 2 years. The longest Pastor Ministered for 5 years. Camden Church is so Thankful to God for each of them and their wives. But the Camden Church needed more stability, so again, they sought the Lord. Then the Spirit of the Lord called me to be their Pastor in August of 1996. Truly the Spirit of the Lord honored their prayers and faithfulness! What a remarkable body of believers! Truly there is a Spirit of Revival! Camden Church knows they may have few numbers but God is a Big God! Tell anyone at the Camden Church they are too small to be of any service to the community and the Camden Church will Preach the Powerful name of Jesus Christ! The Camden Church has been through many trials and discouragements since they started praying in a restaurant many years ago but they are Solid as a Rock knowing why they are here in this Community! Many in the community would testify of the spiritual influence of this Body of believers if prompted! The Holy Spirit is Alive and Working on many hearts! For that, we are thankful! God is truly Glorifying Himself through this Body of believers! A Scripture that influenced the Camden Church the most through the years and could serve as a Church Foundational Statement; Revelation 3:7 ¶ “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”
My wife and I love the folks deeply and will remain faithful to the Lord Jesus until He Comes or moves us! Thank each and every one of you for your prayers and support as we continue to seek the Lost, care for the needy, encourage the brokenhearted and see lives Transformed by the Power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Now the second Church we Pastor, Enon Methodist Church. The history and testimony of the Enon Church goes back to the 1930’s. The believers that started the Enon Church saw many revivals take place in the late 30’s and 40’s when it was located on the current property of Fort Jackson. It came to my knowledge that Ft. Jackson was the largest Army training base in the United States. Because the Army base was growing and the need for more property arose they requested the Enon Church relocate! The congregation agreed and Ft. Jackson paid for the Church building to be moved to its current location. As a token of the many souls changed for the Glory of God the Army donated an old Army barracks that is still being used as the fellowship hall and Sunday school rooms! What is more interesting is the history behind the Enon Church cemetery. Many members went to the Enon Church for services and many were laid to rest in the “Old Enon Church cemetery” which currently is still located on federal land. The Church was moved but the original cemetery is now part of a National Cemetery! As you can imagine the Enon Church has a rich history of military families. So many have come and gone through the years but Enon remains dedicated to the Message of Salvation through Faith in Jesus Christ! Many have ask me since I became Pastor in 1999, where did the name Enon come from and what is the meaning. Well the name Enon was originally spelled Aenon as in the Biblical account found in John chapter 3. 22 ¶ “After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.” The name Aenon literally is interpreted “place of springs.” When the members came to form this body of believers they applied this passage to their Church and proclaimed; “Come to Enon and be filled with the springs of spiritual waters”, referring to the Holy Spirit that is Present among its membership! This has not changed and currently the Holy Spirit is alive and Moving amongst Enon’s congregation! My wife and I Love being Pastor of Enon. No matter how long it takes, no matter how hard things get, there will always be “plenty of water” at Enon.