The following article was written by the Tennessee State Bishop’s wife, Debra McKinley. Enjoy Debra’s reflections of ‘us’. Isn’t it amazing how love works? You take two entirely different people who have to only worry about themselves, sparks begin to fly and before you know it, these two people are saying, ‘I DO’ and suddenly the two individuals become US. The car is no longer mine, it belongs to US, no matter who made the payments before. The apartment is not mine, but it belongs to US. The parents are no longer mine and his, but they belong to US. Then one day they become parents and really understand the importance of US. The children may have daddy’s eyes, or may have mom’s hair, but they belong to US. Every wonderful, happy thing that happens, happens to US, and if one of US is wounded or hurt, it’s US that suffers. In my case, as well as yours, it was his name called out and he who was appointed to pastor, but it was US that packed all of our belongings and changed our address. It was US that accepted God’s will. It’s his sermons, but it’s US that carry the burden for the work. From time to time, people will ask me why I refer to Brother McKinley as ‘my husband’ and never by his first name. I haven’t used his first name since the day we were married. I’ve always called him ‘honey.’ as he has me. I’ve never really thought of Debra or Ernest, I just think of US. You that know what it’s like to truly be an US, know that like me, how blessed we are on Valentine’s Day. – Debra McKinley As you celebrate the month of love, prioritizing ’us’ is a must. Cherish your life partner as well as those in your circles of influence. FEBRUARY 2023 Ministries “...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5b). The Greek uses five negatives in Hebrews 13:5, reassuring the Christian believer that the Lord God has PROMISED never, no, not ever, never, to leave nor forsake us. God will never, never, never, never, never leave or abandon us. God loves you. Oh, how He loves you!
This month we honor the lady, the legend Elaine Love. Our beloved Dan & Elaine are releasing their pastoral responsibilities in Florida to embrace what’s next for them in ministry. As one person recently said to me, “I don’t know what Florida will do without Dan & Elaine Love.” That one statement alone speaks to the value this ministry team brings. They have led with distinction and will be greatly missed in the Sonshine State. You may want to send a card expressing your support, but do so quickly as their transition will take place later this month. Dan & Elaine Love 920 Grant St. Punta Gorda, FL 33950 Ministry wives from across the state were invited to share words that best describe Elaine. We created a wordle (pictured below) which will be framed and gifted to her. So to this encouraging, anointed, approachable, loving, creative friend of ours, we wish you Godspeed. “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on (you); establish the work of (your) hands - yes, establish the work of (your) hands” (Ref. Psalm 90:17). We invited Sophia Smith to provide a tribute to Sister Elaine. Her works of affirmation and honor could be multiplied over and over. Sophia speaks the sentiments of our hearts. Thank you, Elaine, for giving to the Lord. Our lives have been changed as a result of you exercising your ministry gifts. Sophia writes: The day Elaine Wilson Love was born, I believe the good Lord must have smiled and said, “This one will bear my mark, the mark of excellence.” And that is how it began. Elaine is an excellent daughter to her parents, Robert and Connie. She loved them and honored them as a child, and still loves and honors them today. She loves them with excellence. Before long, she became a sister to Deborah and Renee. She was so excited to be their big sister and still is! She loves them with excellence. Then along came Dan. Oh, my. He swept her off her feet at church camp and the rest is history! She was young, but determined to be the best wife EVER! She had no idea what the future held or where it would take them, but even then, she knew that God was in control and her trust was in Him. So whatever they faced, wherever they went, she vowed to love God and her husband with excellence. When Brooks, Jordy, and Paige came along, she didn’t think it was possible for her heart to hold any more Love, but it did. She was very deliberate in teaching her kids to love God and trust Him. She set the example before them. She taught them in word and deed. She loved them with excellence. Then Dan was called into the ministry. She leapt into the role of pastor’s wife not knowing what to expect, but determined to give it her all. She cooked cakes and dinners for church fundraisers. She cleaned the church every week. She made chocolate-covered peanut butter cream Easter eggs until she couldn’t stand the smell of peanut butter. She’s a hard worker. She taught Sunday School and was sometimes Youth Leader and sometimes Women’s Ministries leader, depending on what her pastor/husband asked her to do. He knew she would do whatever he asked with excellence. The first time I ever really interacted with Elaine was in 2000 when they accepted the Gainesville pastorate. My husband was the District Overseer, so we wanted to welcome them. When we walked into the parsonage she was on a ladder with
a rag and some cleaning stuff and was scrubbing walls so they could be painted. She stopped long enough to speak to us, then it was back to scrubbing. She was on a mission. We chatted as she worked, but I knew we were distracting her from her goal. She had that look. Good wasn’t good enough, it had to be excellent. And so, it was – when she finished. Our God is so gracious and I guess He knew she and I both needed a friend about then. We were called into ministry at about the same time, so we shared our experiences and challenges often. We encouraged each other and admonished each other, too. I knew I could count on her to tell me the truth. She taught me that we all need a safe place to bleed and I know that there are many who have bleed on her. She is an excellent friend and confidante. When our State Women’s Ministries Director stepped down in 20??, I knew Elaine would be an excellent choice to pick up that mantle. She didn’t think anybody in the state even knew who she was, so that would NEVER happen, but she was wrong. State Overseer Davis heard her preach at a District meeting and told her then and there that she was the one he had been looking for and praying for. He even commented on how EXCELLENT her message had been. And so, she became State Women’s Ministries Director. By 2010, God had moved on her to start a series of conferences for the women of Florida. As she prayed she kept hearing the word CULTIVATE, so that became the theme. “We don’t hate, we cultivate.” As the ladies began to arrive at the campground for that first conference, they were amazed at the details she had invested in the event. Excellence was everywhere: the décor, the food, the workshops, the messages, the worship, the speakers, the schedule, even the bathrooms – all of it abounded with excellence. She didn’t miss a thing, but that didn’t stop her from vowing bigger and better for the next one! Apparently excellence has levels/tiers and she was always aiming for more!!! For 11 years, she poured into women from Florida and beyond through Cultivate. In 2021, she had what would be her last, although she didn’t know that then. God is a God of seasons and He made her know that this season was coming to an end. She resigned from Women’s Ministries not knowing when or where her next season would be, only that He who began a good work in her is FAITHFUL to finish it. “So, pay everyone what you owe them. Pay the taxes you owe, pay the duties you are charged, give respect to those you should respect, and honor those you should honor” (Romans 13:7, CEB). Elaine is a faithful servant who has served the Lord and the women of this state with excellence beyond compare. Only Heaven knows the souls that have been saved, the lives that have been changed, the minds that have been transformed/renewed, and the fruit that has come forth because of the seeds she has planted. What I know is that her fruit will remain, because she has sown with excellence. But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal]. And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love]” (I Corinthians 12:31, AMP). Elaine, we are all in your debt. Thank you for your true labor of unselfish love. You have taught us that there really is a more excellent way. Wherever you go, whatever you do, our love, respect, and honor go with you. - Sophia Smith
When the two ears are put side by side, it forms the shape of a heart. Interestingly, the word ‘ear’ sits right in the middle of the word heart (h-ear-t). The ear is the way to the heart. So if you want someone’s heart, learn to listen to them. If you want God’s heart, learn to listen to Him. Love as a noun Strong affection for another. Intense feeling of affection for another. Warm attachment or devotion to. Love as a verb An action we take. A choice to do something for someone else. Love as a noun finds us preoccupied with what others might do for us on Valentine’s Day. Love as a verb will motivate us to express our love to others this Valentine’s. Love as a noun will encourage friends to walk away from their spouse when life gets difficult. Love as a verb will compel us to encourage, admonish, and pray for them to honor their vows and love unconditionally. Love as a noun will demand its own way. Love as a verb will seek to understand differences and will be open to options. . Notice what 1 Corinthians 13 tells us about love as penned in The Message: Love never gives up. Cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Doesn’t strut. Doesn’t have a swelled head. Doesn’t force itself on others. Isn’t always “me first”. Doesn’t fly off the handle. Keep score of the sins of others. Revel when others grovel. (Rather, love….) takes pleasure in the flowering of truth. Puts up with anything. Trusts God always. Always looks for the best. Never looks back, Keeps going to the end. Love never dies. Oh, to LOVE as the Father would have us to LOVE: giving, going, serving, caring, being, doing, using, finding, working, asking, helping, talking, showing, hearing, moving, believing, including, meeting, leading, understanding, creating, considering, sending, building, LOVING others, starting with those in our homes. The same love that compelled Christ to leave heaven and propelled Him to earth should also compel and propel us. Would you join me in praying this simple heartfelt prayer? Search me, O God, and know my heart. And if there be any wicked way in me, I give you permission to perform heart surgery on me. Make a bypass of love around any congested artery that pulsates from within. Help me, as a leader in the home and in Your church, to guard my heart, to keep it with all diligence, for out of it will flow the issues of life. May Your love always compel me to respond to others in love. I ask that you lay some soul upon my heart, and LOVE that soul through me. And may I humbly do my part, to win that soul to thee. Amen. We are all pencils in the hands of a writing God, who is sending love letters to the world. —Mother Teresa.