Serving Christ Through Montgomery Area Churches

N H 
, D   M


T 
, J 1, 2017

It Feels Like Home

The Road Goes Ever On is the refrain from several walking songs written by
J. R. R. Tolkien and found in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The Christ-followers ever-unfolding roadmap calls for great faith and Gods
strength. Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) encourages us to lay aside every weight
and run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus
As we travel our ever-unfolding roads, there are joys with new discoveries,
with new peoples that need the gospel shared with them, with moments, that
while they are dark valleys, there is a way forward with the ever-present Good
Shepherd, and with the assurance that God has laid out our path to our heavenly
home.
About seventeen years ago, God set me on a journey that became a marathon.
In the latter part of 1999, the MBA helped me leave my Montgomery home for
the journey of a lifetime. Leaving left a hole, but the journey has been worth it.
While in Mexico, peoples lives were touched by the gospel, pastors in Puebla
were encouraged and I was changed. I saw great needs and God at work in our
teams and those we touched. I learned something about living life on the edge
and being utterly dependent on God. But it wasnt home.
The next road led to Hong Kong and ministering in the Chaplains Office at
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU). While there, lives of students from
the US studying at HKBU were touched during 9/11. Like me, they couldnt
go home even if they wanted while those September days played out. They
needed a strong Christ-like presence to help in a dark time. Also, Mainland
Chinese students pursuing their degrees at HKBU were challenged and
changed by Jesus. One waystation for me became the church God led me to
plant in the universitys dormitory. It is a strategic congregation reaching
students and a home away from home for them. I learned recently that many
have become Christ-followers there and have been called to ministry. They
have pursued training and seminary degrees, then returning to take their faith
back home all over the China! Thank God and the MBA who helped to place
me there! It was homelike, but I could not rest there.
My pathways after Hong Kong led me to Tennessee
and short times in Boston and Houston. During these
years, I was a chaplain in hospitals and with hospice
patients. I love walking with folks through health
crises and their end-of-life journeys. Gods purpose
for us is found when two things intersect: 1) what is
the greatest need and 2) things that bring great joy. I
love helping Gods children find peace with God while
in crisis. These places are good, the ministries were
fruitful and God taught me much, but again it was not
home.
In July of 2015, it looked like I was facing the end of
my journey. There were diagnoses for which I wasnt
ready. They were bigger than me, but they werent
Dr. David Fleming
bigger than God. I held closely to three truths: Jesus Leadership Development
loves me, God is Faithful, and the Spirit of God places Director
his people as grace notes in our lives when grace is
needed. God has carried me on a road I did not expect. But I see it now as the
road home. In December, I returned to Montgomery to be with friends and
family. I also found something new. It is a new purpose here. I hoped for it,
but I couldnt see it. Isnt that what faith and hope are all about?
At the beginning of May, I took on the Director of the Leadership Development
role in the MBA. I did not anticipate this turn in the road, but God did. The
expectation of giving back to you means so much to me. You believed in me
17 years ago and helped to set me on this ever-unfolding road. With
anticipation, I look forward to seeing what God does. We have a big task in
Montgomery, but as our DOM Neal Hughes says, Together We Can!
It just feels like home. His, David

VBS Learning Lab Revival Services

Tuesday, June 13
New to VBS? Join us at Heritage
Baptist Church on June 13 to
observe VBS in action. Reservations
are required. Arrive at 7:45 am for
coffee, donuts and registration.
Follow the signs to the Oasis. We
cant wait to see you!
Reserve your place before June 9 by
contacting Robin at 271-6227 or
office@mgmbaptists.org.
Letohatchee
Jul 30 - 11:00 am
Jul 31 - Aug 2 - 7:00 pm
All are invited
Speaker: Luke Finkelstein
Music: David Willis
Sunday morning service will
be followed by dinner on the
grounds. Contact church for more
information 334-277-1268.

River Region Vision Tour - Lunch will be at Dreamland

Barbeque. After lunch, we will prayer walk to the Chamber of
Commerce (COC) at 41 Commerce Street for a 1:30 pm gathering
with Montgomery COCs executive director, Randy George. He
will unpack all that is going on in our city and the area, and tell Literacy Missions ministries involve churches and associations in meeting
you what is coming to the River Region. Come learn how better to pray for the needs of adults who are nonreaders, low-level readers or non-English
the prosperity of the city (montgomerychamber.com). speakers, as well as children and youth who are at risk of failing in school.
Come discover opportunities for intentional evangelism through literacy
Monday, June 5 | 12:00 to 2:30 pm missions ministries.
Dreamland BBQ - 12 West Jefferson Street (new location) To register, contact Kristy Kennedy at 334-288-2460
RSVP to the MBA office at 271-6227 or by email at office@mgmbaptists.org. or by email at kkennedy@alsbom.org
The Montgomery Baptist Association 20 Interstate Park Dr. Montgomery, Alabama 36109 334-271-6227 www.mgmbaptists.org
This publication is made possible by your churches contributions to Associational Missions.