September 10, 2026
Dear Central Church,
I wish you could have known my friend James “Buba” Gray. Like more than 40% of males in South Carolina, he was given the nickname “Bubba,” but he spelled it with only one “b” and often joked he was too poor to afford a second consonant (Apparently, in some TV markets Pat Sajak made you buy vowels AND consonants).
The shorter spelling actually fit his personality better. He was a simple guy, but as my Senior High Sunday School teacher he was one of the deepest thinkers and most committed followers of Jesus I have ever known. In addition to faithfully teaching our class, he served as the NMI president and drove a van to bring adults with developmental disabilities to church. No one was surprised the day the church honored Buba with a Distinguished Service Award.
I was pastoring my first church when Buba decided to send me the Bible he used to teach. In it, was a note that expressed his constant prayers for me, my family, and the ministry to which God had called me. The letter concluded the way he concluded every Sunday School class. “Read this book. The secrets of the universe are in this book!”
I’m thankful for people like Buba who serve the Lord through the local church. He had gifts and abilities that were unique to him, and he willingly gave them to the work of the Gospel.
This Sunday, we are having our “Ministry Fair.” It’s a chance for you to learn more about the various ways to get involved in ministry at Central. In between the first and second service (10-10:30am), you can connect with our ministry leaders and discover how God wants to use your unique gifts and abilities in His mission.
When I think about my own life, I don’t know if I would be a follower of Jesus today without the faithful service of someone like Mr. Buba. He had no formal theological training, but he modeled how to love Jesus and others through his willingness to show up and give his all to God.
What about you? How is God calling you to serve others through the simple things that make you…uniquely you!
By the way…
Please pray for me and Lauren this week as we travel to the Ivory Coast (West Africa). She is participating in a conference for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, and our church board has given me the opportunity to accompany her. Lauren’s parents were missionaries in the Ivory Coast, and so it is a long awaited homecoming for her. While we’re there, we will be touring the Ron Farris Medical Clinic outside of Abidjan. Our vision is to return with a Missions Team from Central to do a medical clinic and/or a construction project to improve the capacity of the clinic.
Next Sunday (9/20), Pastor Sam Barber will be filling the pulpit. We are excited to welcome Sam and Jill back to Central! Sam is currently the Global Director of Nazarene Discipleship International, and he is a dynamic and passionate communicator of God’s Word. I know you will be blessed (again) by their ministry!
On the Journey Together,
Pastor Mark
