General Superintendent Max Edwards
8, 2025
Visits to Texas Churches and Pastors
We have some wonderful people in the ‘Republic’ of Texas (as some Texan’s like to call it. �).
Judy and I just spent 10 days there on a ‘whistle-stop’ tour, visiting our churches, pastors, and other friends. We began with a delightful Saturday evening dinner with Jerry & Martha McNei in Abilene. They have faithfully pastored there for many, many years Sunday morning, it was on to Sweetwater to worship with the kind people there, including long-time member Mrs. Phyllis Morris as well as Pastor John Swift. We were blessed, as it had been a very long time since I had been in West Texas.
On Monday, we made the drive even further west, over to Odessa. The winds were dramatic, but not as powerful as our fellowship with Pastor Tim and Kristina O’Neal. The church there is growing … men and women are being discipled, and young people are welcome and ministered to. They are relentless in their passion for Jesus and His people.
On Tuesday, we braved hundreds of rolling tumbleweeds to make our way to Slaton to visit Pastor Michael Taylor. He has endured a variety of health issues, as well as the loss of his precious wife, Joyce, within the last couple of years.
The remainder of the week was filled with visits with Natalie Bey, Sonya Penny, and Michael & Rachel Richardson and the good people of LifePoint EMC in Red Oak. As you know, Natalie recently lost her husband, Pastor Eric Bey, and it was good to sit , and to check in with her and her family. Judy also loved attending the Refuge Ladies retreat, and I spent time with Pastor Tiffany & Frank Barber, as well as a joyful visit with Superintendent Emeritus, Rev. Jack Conner and his lovely wife Sandra. They are EMC ‘royalty’ and time with them is always filled with spiritual energy!