I am blessed to be able to sit in my living room with the busyness of my wife, children and extended family preparing dinner and visiting in the background. We’re living in the greatest country in the world, which is still the land of the free and home of the brave.

I’m blessed to serve my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in so many roles: Husband, Father, American Soldier, Pastor, Friend, Uncle, Brother-in-law, Co-worker and more.

I’m blessed to have more than one copy of God’s word that I’m able to read, study and proclaim to the best of my ability, on Sundays and any other day of the week.

I’m blessed that my beautiful wife, Julie has loved, supported, encouraged me and so much more over more than 24 years of marriage. As with any marriage, we’ve had our ups and downs, but she has been with me through it all. She’s my prayer partner, advisor, confidant, encourager, and so much more. I’m so thankful that the Lord not only brought us together, but has kept us together for all these years. I’m looking forward to many more blissful years with her. They just get better and better.

I’m blessed with seven beautiful children (four girls and three boys). Marquita, Rachel, Jonathan, Nathanael, Leslie, Elizabeth and Abigail are my pride and joy. They are all growing into wonderful, young ladies and gentlemen who love Jesus Christ and set fine examples for those who know them. I’m proud to be their Papa.

I’m blessed to have a wonderful, loving, supporting church family who supports me, prays for me, loves me and my family and is willing to question or correct me because they ARE like the Bereans of Acts 17, searching the scriptures to see if the things I teach are right, according to God’s Word.

I’m blessed to have served the greatest country on earth as an American Soldier and to be able to continue to serve. Through difficulty and triumph, ease and adversity, it has been and continues to be truly an honor to serve God and my country.

I’m blessed to have so many friends, quite honestly all over the world. I’ve learned from them, taught them, laughed with them, cried with them, helped them and been helped by them.

There are so many, many other things that I need to continue in thanksgiving for, throughout the year.

Most of all, I am blessed to KNOW that I have received the gift of salvation only available through faith in what my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ did for me in his death, burial and resurrection. I know that I will see him someday in heaven and am truly looking forward to that day. I hope that all my family, friends and all that I know have or will accept the gift of salvation from Jesus Christ as well.

So, from me and my family, from our home, from our church family at Bible Baptist Church, please accept our sincerest wishes for a MOST BLESSED THANKSGIVING. May God richly bless you all!

~ Pastor Joe