August 15, 2021 (Sunday)
I retired from being pastor at Rockport in 1996. Afterwards I became Interim Pastor at Refugio and Ingleside, and, believe it or not, Rockport. In 2004, I became pastor of Timbergrove Baptist Church in Houston until 2006, then a second time from 2008 to 2010. While living in Houston, I attended a special music program presented by the magnificent choir of Second Baptist Church with my friends, Troy and Ruth Conner and Wanda Lue Shoemaker Conner Stewart. In addition to the choir that evening, we also heard special guest soloist Wintley Phipps, who is the performer and singer in today’s video. I am asking you to watch the following video instead of a blog today. I believe you will find it worth your time. It is an unusual video made by Mister Phipps as he attended one of the Gaither Homecoming series of concerts.
That evening in Houston we also heard Wintley Phipps recite James Weldon Johnson’s poem, “Go Down Death.” I have quoted this poem several times in my sermons through the years, but I know for sure I could never do it like Wintley Phipps did it. In itself he presented the poem as a five minute sermon for a departed child of God. If you take the time to watch this, you will be blessed. Click here to hear the poem.