In 1970 God saved me. As a little kid I was baptized into the faith at Huffman Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Not long after that my dad moved us to another church close by. The next time I etered the building was 8 years later when the Huffman High School class of 1978 had their commencement. The next time I came to HBC was October 10, 2010… to preach in view of a call to be their pastor.
In the 32 intervening years I went to college… was called into the ministry… got married… had children… graduated from seminary with my masters and doctorate… served as pastor of four churches and interim pastor of one. And now, much to my joyful surprise and blessing, I returned to Huffman Baptist and will soon begin ministry as their pastor. I guess you could call that coming full circle…
I never thought my life would have included such a blessing. I drove by HBC hundreds of times… never once thinking about being their pastor. But then my friend Ryan Whitley knew some people there and that they were looking for a pastor. He gave them my resume… and eight months later I became their pastor. Who’d have ever thought it but God…
(Pause) Could I ask you to consider that God is in the process of working out His will in your life? He is in the process of doing things you have no idea about. In order to get you where HE wills you to be, He will take you down roads you don’t expect. He will turn events and circumstances upside down that won’t make sense to you… but they are in His plan none the less. Trust Him. Since He’s God He does know what He’s doing!
It may take weeks… months… or years for it to come together. For me it was 29 months… but a fraction of a nano-second in God’s view. So don’t fret… don’t worry… don’t be anxious. God is in control. He knows what He’s doing. One day, eventually, it all will make sense!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5).
Praise the Lord!
Ron,
I am so excited for you and Huffman. Tim and I spent 12 wonderful years there and are so excited for this next chapter in the life of Huffman Baptist Church. They are such a loving people (soak it up) and please know of my continued prayers for you and also HBC.
Penny Lovett
Thank you Penny! It is obvious to me that God used you and Tim to encourage and build up the people at HBC during Tim’s tenure there. They all speak fondly of the whole Lovett family. Please know that HBC will be praying for both of you as you continue to honor God in His country! Blessings and I look forward to me and my wife meeting both of you some day.
I’m so proud for you brother. I pray God’s blessings on you guys as you prepare for this move.
Ron, there was no need to mention my name in your blog. I was nothing more than a conduit through which the Lord made your name available. Again, you are a choice pastor and Huffman is a special church. Love the people, preach the Gospel and serve the Lord and you will THRIVE there.
I know there was no need… but sometimes the phrase “a friend of mine” or “a friend” doesn’t fit the context of explaining. The personal touch makes the story come alive for others. Plus, I know you are very much aware of 1 Corinthians 15:10, “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” Blessings my friend…
I also want to go on the record as praising God for this opportunity in your life my friend! God has been preparing you and preparing HBC for this and He made it happen with the help of many! You ARE a special man and pastor and we are looking forward to having you close and being able to sit on as many opportunities as we can to hear you preach and teach! Blessings Ron!
By the way, I have had more than a few CrossPointers ask about your first Sunday to preach, and if there was going to be welcoming reception. Also, after telling them of your possible “installation service” they wanted to know if they could attend.
Don’t know anything about a welcome/reception, but we will have a installation/commissioning service (God willing). Once it’s scheduled, let you know and they are welcome to come! Blessings…