Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church took Pastor Appreciation month to another level during their Mission Night, held on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
A large crowd of adults, youth and children were present to prepare Pastor Appreciation packets to be sent to a pastor and youth pastor from every state in America. “Our desire is to encourage pastors across this nation and pour into their lives and encourage them to keep making a difference,” stated Pastor Bryant Thigpen.
Each packet contained signed letters for both senior and youth pastors; an encouraging prayer card, complete with a photo of the St. John’s crew that created the packets; and bookmarks, created, colored and laminated by the youth group.
Pastors from each state were selected in a variety of ways: some were known by members of St. John’s; others were chosen from a Southern Baptist directory; and some were picked from Google or Facebook.
Though the packets have been sent recently, numerous positive responses have been received, some from as far as New Jersey and Minnesota. “We want to keep our pastors in the fight,” said Thigpen.
The church maintains a prayer wall map of the U.S., with pins in each area where packets have been sent over the past two years. “The wall reminds us to continue praying for these churches and pastors,” remarked Thigpen.