I spent this past weekend in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Like most cities, this ‘city of brotherly love’ cannot be boiled down to any one particular identity. She holds national treasures like Independence Hall (site of the 2nd Continental Congress and signing of the Declaration of Independence). She holds The Liberty Bell…beautiful and marred. She is the home of the Philly cheesesteak…and a few of us stood in line for over an hour to devour the reputable best at Dalessandro’s. I was there for the music. Philadelphia has been the birthplace of a multitude of incredible artists through the years, and of course, it was the host city for American Bandstand! It produced jazz great Stanley Clark, country star Marty Stuart, soul and hip hop greats like Boyz II Men and Erykah Badu, as well as, pop legends Chubby Checker and Hall & Oates. The list goes on and on, but you get the picture. Funk, jazz and pop music have deep roots in Philadelphia, so 70 of us gathered from Canada, Israel and across the US to play with, chat with and learn from some of the greatest musicians around…

It’s good to be back in the office at First Baptist Greenville. It would be difficult – in fact, too limiting – to boil the life of First Baptist down to any one descriptor. While I was gone, I stayed in close contact with staff and ministers as they provide pastoral care to members in crisis. I watched Sunday’s worship via Livestream as Kyle, Shelton, Vocare and many others ushered the congregation into the presence of God. I perused pictures of Inasmuch Day posted on the internet. I contemplated upcoming services: Easter, Pentecost, Commissioning of Summer Missionaries, Graduate Sunday and more. I prepped for an upcoming mission circle meeting and a Sunday School lesson. All that to say, there’s a lot going on at and through First Baptist Greenville…but like Philly…you can just come enjoy the music too…

It’s good to be home…thanks for the vacation…see you Sunday…

— Jim

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