FROM THE BISHOP
JAMES R. KING, JR.

Hello, beautiful people of South Georgia! 

My hometown is Ashland, Ala., which is about 22 miles from Goodwater, Ala. I do not know why the town was named Goodwater, but Flint, Mich. is reminding the world family that water is not only essential for life, but good water is directly connected to good health and contaminated water to poor health and even death.

Rev. Bobby Gale has recognized the importance of every person and every nation having access to good water for some time. I find his passion for the poor and marginalized simply amazing. What a miracle for the poor and thirsty to discover that someone has come into their lives and their country to not only bring water but to dig a well beneath their feet which will allow them to have water for life as well as a lifetime.

Rev. Gale is the founder and director of Unto the Least of His Ministry, and has been its servant leader for the last 13 years. Unto the Least of His Ministry helps support those that are overlooked and forgotten… the least. Through this ministry, Rev. Gale has had a global impact in 25 different countries on four different continents and he continues his ministry locally, nationally, and internationally. He has helped the poor have a clean drink of water in Uganda, Ghana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mexico, Honduras, Panama, and Kenya. Bobby has a heart for seeing the captives set free by word and deed.

We live in a world where so many people are thirsting for righteousness in one way or another. However, when the basic elements for survival are removed – like having water to drink and bread to eat – all of the other needs and wants must take a backseat.

In Matthew we are reminded once again that God cares for all creation, and that includes each one of us, even the least among us: “Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…” (Matt. 25:34-35)

South Georgia, I am grateful for the way you reach out to others to be a blessing as pastors, congregations, districts, and as a conference. Thanks for being so generous. Today is the day to highlight one of the ministries among us called Unto the Least of His. Please consider making a donation now to this ministry and help extend the love of God to your neighbors both near and far. Below you will find contact information or just go to his website to consider the various ways you can make a donation (www.totheleast.com)

Rev. Bobby Gale, bobby@totheleast.com
Unto the Least of His
PO Box 15874  Savannah, GA  31416
(478) 233-0345 

Until next time, remember – God’s will for us is good. We must do the rest.

Growing a Christ-like world.

With love, 

Your Bishop,
James R. King, Jr.

We saw God work in incredible ways in 2018, and we give Him all the glory. We are grateful to Him for continuing to open doors for us to help individuals, families and villages in complex situations around the world.

Thank you for partnering with us to these needs and bring hope to marginalized people through the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

On March 22, 1993, the United Nations founded World Water Day, 24 hours dedicated to spreading the word on the challenges facing global access to clean water.

While most of us have access to clean, safe, drinking water in the U.S., many parts of the undeveloped world still do not. Gaining this basic, human right not only increases the lifespan of villagers, but it increases quality of life. Children who can have clean water can attend school. Children who get their education can get jobs. Jobs provide income, which in turn allows food and medicine to be purchased. Water is a step needed to be successful.

Today I was having my red truck serviced. I was having the oil and windshield wiper blades changed and I received a free car wash as a bonus. Immediately after they completed the service work, they started the cleaning and washing process of my truck.  They even took off my antenna and placed it in the interior of the truck so they could do a more thorough job.  I was really impressed by their work and will gladly use them again. As I began to drive off, I went to use my stereo radio, but I did not receive the quality sound that I was used to having.  Instead, I got this really high-pitched squealing noise.  Something went wrong with my radio.  Then I looked over and saw the disconnected antenna on the floor board of the vehicle.  I had the antenna, but it was not where it was supposed to be.
Later, Nancy and I were about to leave for Macon when I realized that I had not corrected the problem.  I was on the phone talking to someone as we were getting in the car.  I used a few vague hand directives and hand motions as I handed Nancy the antenna thinking that she understood these wordless directives of mine to replace the antenna to the antenna holder. Nancy took the antenna and placed it on the outside table and got back in the truck.  I was totally perplexed by her actions because I gave her the antenna and very good directions, I thought.  When I got off the phone I asked her why she did not replace the antenna to its holder and she replied that she did not know what I wanted her to do with the antenna.  I realized that my vague communication directives to Nancy were not so good and I got out of the truck to fix the problem.  I walked over to the table and got the antenna and replaced it.  I got back in the truck and smiled because I realized that I did not communicate my thoughts and desires very well. Also, I was smiling even more that the radio static had cleared up and was giving clear reception.

Take a-ways from this experience:

1. It is important to guard and protect your sound system.
a. Watch out!!  It is even more important to protect your relationship with God others and yourself!

2. Even people with good intentions can lead you astray.
a. Even Godly people can lead you astray when the person is not tuned in to God’s call for your life.

3. When you realize your problem, own it and acknowledge it.
a. Sin, missing the mark of Christian living can be intentional or unintentional. The end results are the same, regardless of the motives.  As soon as you recognize it, then own it and make the necessary changes.

4. Communicate well to others, do not assume others will understand your dilemma.
a. Communicate with clarity is necessary for better relationships with God and others.  Do not assume someone is understanding your words or actions.

5. Do not become frustrated with others because they do not understand your dilemma.
a. I passed multitudes of cars and people who were nice people, but they did not know or care about my dilemma. Can you believe that?  Unless someone is in the know of your situation do not be frustrated with them.  Practice love and kindness.  I sat in the truck with my wife and best friend, Nancy, but she did not even understand my dilemma.

6. Do not be afraid to ask for help.
a. Asking for help is a way of humbling ourselves before God and others.  I have been overwhelmed with people’s willingness to help if we communicate our dilemma well.  People are inherently helpful and kind.

7. Your problem may or may not be fixable.
a. Some dilemmas are simply unfix-able.  Learn what you can from the situation and begin to build off of the newly learned information.

8. Your antenna is your reception device for catching and transmitting the airways for your radio.
a. Like the antenna, your faith is the catching and transmitting device for your relationship with God!  Stay tuned in!

Rev. Gale challenged the Broxton Circuit churches and the Lone Hill-Excelsior Charge to raise $6,000 in six weeks to install a water well in the Congo.

I remember my little grandson, Noah, and his brief time here on Earth.  I remember how excited we were that he had joined our little family.  We had plans for his life from conception on.  However, we only had him for 7 days.  Silly me, I just knew everything was going to be okay even though he came prematurely.  I remember flying out to Central America to do God’s work while he was in the hospital. I just knew that he was going to be there when I got back from my short mission trip.
I remember getting that call from Nancy that Noah was not doing well and we needed to be praying for him.  Then came that painful call that he had passed away.  I will never forget that day.  It has been burned deep into my memory, even today.
Sometimes in life, we do not get a mulligan, a do over or a second chance, so we need to make life matter. I will always replay in my mind, “what if”.  If you love someone then show them, because we are not guaranteed of the next minute.  Your “what ifs” may have softer landings if you take time for your loved ones today.

After celebrating the installation of a new water well some of the Maasai Warriors wanted to give our team a “better” gift.   They invited us to hike with them up the Sacred Maasai Mountain Sabache.   It’s a sacred Maasai place of prayer, a holy burial ground of elders and is a great water source during severe droughts.

I heard the invitation, but I declined the offer.  The other 2 team members chose to go.  I was satisfied sitting right in the lounge drinking my Coca Cola and enjoying the ordinary.  As they were leaving, I remember happily telling them to be safe and have a good time.  After the passing of an hour or so, I began to regret my decision and wondered what they were seeing.  I was very comfortable at the time of the invitation, but as time passed I wished that I had said yes, but it was too late.   After about 2 hours, the first team member was returning with amazing stories and I knew as she spoke that I had made a terrible decision.  After about 4 hours, the other team member was returning and she was beaming.  She was telling of the scenic beauties that she had experienced.  The whole time that she was descriptively talking about her beautiful experience I knew that I had missed out on something better because I was lazy, complacent, and comfortable.   I will never know the great joys of hiking Mt. Sabache.

How many invitations has God invited me to participate in and I have not answered because of being complacent or comfortable?  I learned a big lesson that day, that my human free will can cause me to miss the “better” and blessings of God!