Royalton, IL March 26-28, 2017

​Sometime last year, I was blessed to get a message from our friend, Dan Taylor.  Dan had been the pastor at the Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Decatur, IL, where we had been privileged to go for revival services on a few occasions.  About a year ago, Pastor Dan and Teresa had moved to Royalton, IL to become the pastor of the Church of the Nazarene there.  Royalton is a very small community in far southern Illinois in an area that had once boomed with coal mining, but which has since suffered from the economic challenges common to so many of our small communities across America.  I could not think of a better pastor and wife to minister to and within an area of need.  It was obvious from our visit that they are well loved by the people, and we also were warmly greeted.  Carey and I were able to drive up from Tennessee and arrive on Saturday evening to begin services on Sunday morning and continue through Wednesday evening.  During these days and services, we heard some powerful music sung by a local young man before each message.  Jesus once again showed His faithfulness and ability to do what I cannot by supplying His strength and anointing on His Word for every service.  Though the spiritual battle was felt, I could see and sense His Word prevailing in the same way that Luke describes in the book of Acts.  We were encouraged to see those who responded to the truth of the Word during these times and thank God for the Word being sown and watered in this church.  I heard the term “great revival” more than once from people. 

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​Once again, one of the biggest blessings was the relationships.  We had some wonderful times of fellowship and visiting with Pastor Dan and Teresa.  They are true and humble servants of the Lord.  It was also another great time for Carey and I to be together.  From the drive, to doing classes online in the hotel room, to going to work out at the local gymnasium and swimming pool, we enjoyed one another’s presence and grew in the Lord together over these days.  As we drove home to Tennessee in the late hours on Wednesday night after the service, all I could do was thank the Lord for His provision and all He is doing in our lives as we continue,
 
Running together in Christ,
 
John