Thanks be to God!

I got to be part of something really special yesterday. In a small dining room at Arbor House Assisted Living here in Marble Falls, I got to witness the ordination of Revs. James and LaVelle Hayes into the Global Methodist Church … on their 66th wedding anniversary.   

For many years, Revs. James and LaVelle Haynes served as pastors in the Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. They completed the educational requirements for second career ministry service through the Perkins School of Theology Course of Study School and served with distinction.   

As their health declined, they elected to retire but retained their status in the Central Texas Conference. James had been recognized as a Deacon (a preliminary step toward full ordination as an elder), but LaVelle had not. Upon their relocation to Marble Falls, they inquired about the Global Methodist Church, and I answered as many questions as I could before inviting our Presiding Elder, Rev. Dr. Adam Thornton, to be in touch with them. Adam did more than just give them a call; he came to see them the very next day in their apartment at Arbor House.  It’s a much longer story, but most importantly, on Tuesday afternoon, Bishop Leah Hidde-Gregory, Rev. Dr. Adam Thornton, and Rev. Dr. Leslie Tomlinson (Kit’s wife and the chair of our conference Board of Ministry) came to see them, laid hands on them, prayed over them, and ordained both James and LaVelle as Elders in the Global Methodist Church. Our own Belinda King played her flute beautifully for the impromptu and powerful worship service, just steps from their apartment.  

As I write these words, I still feel the goose bumps on my arms to think of what the Mid Texas Conference of our Global Methodist Church quickly pulled together here in Marble Falls in order to celebrate and honor two faithful servants while they could still be present and participate in answering the Bishop’s questions. The Holy Spirit was powerfully present, and it was a moving time of celebration and affirmation of God’s call in their lives. I’m thankful for a denomination who recognizes and affirms God’s call in such a clear and effective way. Most of all, I’m thankful for James and LaVelle Haynes. 

Thanks be to God!