2) Dr. J. E. Sims has announced his retirement date for March 31. Bro. J.E. is our co-worker and Christian friend and I wish to salute him for his faithfulness to God’s cause these 40 plus years and these last 8 years at First Baptist Church. More will be said about this in weeks ahead, but I openly want to thank God for he and Ms. Cherry and wish the very best for them. Announcements about the retirement schedule will be made in March and a special committee has been appointed by me as we bid Dr. Sims goodbye from this Associate Pastor position. I am so glad that they are going to be our neighbors out on “the Bud” for years ahead.
3) As Pastor I have shared with our Chairman of Deacons, Deacons, and committees that I will openly discuss the direction of our church music and choir ministries on Sunday April 7th in the A.M. service. Please pray that God will give us clear direction and goals as the Lord leads First Baptist Church in this 21st century. We desire His will and His alone.
4) Please pray about one of the alive bills before the Mississippi legislature. House Bill 1112 and Senate Bill 2633 designate school assemblies as “limited public forums” attempting to clear the way for students to pray before those gatherings, it also bans teachers from discriminating against religious viewpoints in academic works.