Tonight, I was blessed to visit Davidson Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church for a wonderful “first night” revival service. The pastor there, Corey Cummings, invited me and all our Gathering friends to attend. The revival preacher was Corey’s pastor from his youth, Bro. Don Franks. The evening started with a lovely add-a-dish meal that was awesome! I must sat that the ladies and gents at the church are excellent cooks! This is one of the first memories for me from the evening… having a nice home-cooked meal in a smaller older country church with down-to-earth folks. I have done this many times over my life as a believer and it is always a positive experience. I was saved in a smaller church, by the way. Even though it seems like many of our smaller rural churches are fading into the background and do not get the press that the larger churches do, they serve many families who embrace their historic presence in and on the land. Yes, they are and can be as relevant as they choose to be.
Editorial note: for all you English majors out there, forgive the long, rambling sentences… this is a personal blog, not an academic exercise. It’s just my free flowing style of writing, so lighten up 😉
Bro. Franks did an outstanding job of preaching a strong evangelistic message. For a man of 78, he still has that Gospel fire in his belly, so to speak. From my brief time talking with him, I discovered that he has packed a LOT of diverse ministry experience into his years. I remember correctly, he was called to preach at the age of 13 and got ordained at 16. He has been on various mission trips and served in a drug rehab program that was connected to Teen Challenge. He still pastors a church in Darden, TN… Corinth Baptist Church. When I listen to men like this preach, it definitely reminds me that there is no replacing experience and a true calling to share the Gospel. The new generation of skinny-jeans preachers can learn a lot from men like Don if they would only try.
Bro. Franks is a part of another memory from the evening. His straight-forward style and strong evangelistic preaching, mixed with a touch of levity, reminds me of my youth. In those less encumbered days, I was blessed to hear several evangelists that were similar to Bro. Franks. It is REFRESHING to hear a preacher tell the Gospel story with passion and power, more focused on reaching lost people than carefully spouting out all the latest catch-phrases to make himself look cool.
Corey, thank you for making this introduction and for the invitation to attend the revival. I appreciate you my brother. You, my friend, are making a difference when you preach and love on the people of DCCPC. Don’t forget that, even when the times seem tough every now and then. God bless you.
