This year has truly been a blessed year. This is the 23rd anniversary of the Senior Supper. I am excited about where God has brought us from. It humbles me to know that God has allowed the Senior Supper to last as long as it has. On that night, I stood at the door greeting the seniors as they arrived. Some walked on crutches while others walked on canes. I could tell that their bones were hurting, yet I watched in awe because they continued to come in! As I greeted them, I thought about how some of the seniors have not missed a year since we began this event. For example, Deacon Emanuel and his wife, Sister Tommy Phillips, have not missed one year. I know that there were times when they did not feel well, but they pressed on anyway. I had spoken with Deacon Phillips when he came to our church for a service previously and he needed some assistance. I went over to help him and as we walked, he asked me what I needed them to get for me. Being the noble man that he is, he felt that the church needed to give me something. I looked at him and told him that all I wanted was for them to come to the supper so that we could serve them. That instance is one of many reasons I will always thank and praise God for putting this supper on my heart.

The supper has been a blessing from day one. When I think about that first night, I remember that Brother Jack Owens stood up when we asked for remarks and he was simply overcome with emotion. All he could say was, “Nobody has ever done anything like this before.” What he said caused Ruling Elder Turner and I to decide that we could not just stop there; the supper had to continue in the coming years. Another of these precious seniors, the oldest woman present, was perky little Ms. Letha Dong. Ms. Dong is 97 years old and still driving…yes, I said still driving! She can and will preach if given a chance and she goes to the senior citizens’ building every day and goes on trips regularly with the senior citizens. She is the sweetest woman ever. The oldest man present was Deacon Zack Moore, who at age 83, is very active in his church. He is engaged to the lovely Mother Lillie Jackson. Ms. Dong and Deacon Moore are both natives of Willacoochee, GA, and are held in very high esteem in our small town. We also had several visiting pastors join us: Superintendent Larry W. Coffee, Elder James Patterson, Pastor Bobby Harris, Pastor Curtis Jones, and Pastor George Brown. We had a grand total of 80 people in attendance, excluding those that served. What a mighty God we serve!

 On a more personal note, I am now 59 years old and I know that one day I will have to turn the supper over to a younger person. I pray that God allows me to go as far as I can go. 

My committee tries to sit me down every year, but my job is to serve. Every time I thank about having to turn it over one day, I feel sad at the prospect. All I want to do is serve and make somebody’s day a little brighter. My son, Elder Tyrone Jordan, told me on one occasion that when I needed to pass the torch, he would be there to catch it and keep the Senior Supper going. Therefore, I am encouraged and grateful because I know the vision will continue.

I truly give thanks to God for all of those that have gone on. There are many that started out at the Senior Supper in 1983 that are not with us today. Just to name a few: Deacon Ollie Tucker, Elder Quinton Neloms, Deacon Raleigh Turner, Mother Turner, Mother Bellamy and Deacon Ollie Turner. Each and every one of them have touched my life in a special way. We have lost quite a few, but we have also gained some as well. We will continue to serve our elders as long as God allows. Finally, I encourage every church on every district to take care of your elders. Love them and hold them close because your reward will be greater than you can ever imagine.

Sincerely Blessed,

Minister Bobbie Jordan