The Mount Calvary Baptist Church Brotherhood, WMU, and BYU met on Monday, August 6, at 7:00 p.m. at the Family Worship Center for the monthly meeting to enjoy fellowship and a delicious meal before adjourning to the respective classes.

Josh Walters was the guest speaker for Brotherhood. Josh began, “Tonight is going to be a struggle.” Josh and Jenn’s youngest daughter has an illness that causes seizures. He continues, the past year has been a tough one for my family. Most of you know what we’ve been through. “God is good all of the time.”
Everyone wants to know what is going on with Landry. God is working it out. It is not always easy to wait. Many of the men in this room have gone through many trials with their children. “Our hearts are breaking as we watch our daughter.”

Josh began by citing James 1:2, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” Josh asked, “How can we be joyful at a time like this? Biblically we can find joy.” From the time at fellowship and the meal until coming to the sanctuary, Landry had 50 seizures. He said, one can be happy until something bad happens in their life. “How can we find joy?” Joy is not happiness. Joy is knowing Jesus. As long as one knows Jesus, one has hope. While one searches for joy, they must understand that joy is with Jesus.
John 15:11 Joy is from Jesus.
Again, James 1:2 Count it all joy. This is referring to the joy we have because Jesus is giving us strength that we did not know was possible. Josh acknowledges, “This is the toughest trial I have ever gone through. I have nothing left, but I know Jesus does. I am tired physically and emotionally”
Although Josh and his family is in the midst of a trial he uses the circumstances to encourage others that may be experiencing a difficult time in their lives. He reminds us that we can all have hope through Jesus Christ.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in the hope of prayer. Please pray for us. “I don’t know when the healing is coming for Landry but it is coming, whether here or in heaven.” Psalms 46:1. Help is always found. God is our refuge and strength. Psalms 43 (send out your life and truth) and Psalm 44 (come to our help) speaks of battles. These Psalms build up to Psalm 46 when we receive the promise that “God is our help!!!”
At one point we were flown to Charleston and in less than a week, 6 days, Landry was off of oxygen. In another 6 hours, we did not know whether she would survive or not. She remained in the hospital there for 4 weeks. We came home for 3 or 4 days and then went to Mayo. There were seizures after seizures. Jenn and I would pray from the onset until the seizures stopped. Satan always lies in wait and attacks when we are weak. God is our refuge and strength.
I was from Chester. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stationed me in Dillon. I did not know where Dillon was located. I had to look it up on a map. I came to Dillon and found a place on the Pleasant Hill Road. I had to pass Mt. Calvary every day to get to my field training officer. I came to visit the church and never left.
God put me here. I have no family (blood) here but a Godly family at Mt. Calvary. He spoke about the men and women of the church that has had an impact on their lives. It was here, Jenn and my daughter were saved her. Another daughter was saved at Camp Pinehill and will be baptized here.
We can endure because the example of Jesus, Hebrews 12: 1-2. We find our refuge and strength in God.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but we will endure.”
In his concluding remarks, he said it brings him joy to see someone live for Jesus. Tell others about Jesus, and give them hope and joy. Joy lasts forever as Jesus is forever. He spoke about some of the students that he has ministered to over the years at the church. Some of these students had some difficult times during their lives. Some are now young adults and making a difference in the lives of family members and in the community. It is a joy to see how Jesus changes lives and circumstances.
Mount Calvary Baptist Church is located at 405 Mount Calvary Road, Dillon.
Pastor Harold Cooke and the entire congregation invites you to attend.