Why Did the Little Boy Fall Out of Bed?

Revival at Pine Grove Baptist

David (Bubba), Jerry, Benjy, and Mark kicked off the revival at Pine Grove with a beautiful rendition of the old the hymn To God Be the Glory sung a capella style. Great job guys!

A little boy told his mom that he had fallen out of his bed in the middle of the night. When his mother asked why, he responded, "I guess I fell asleep too close to where I got in."

Dr. Clarence Cooper preached a strong message about faithfulness Sunday evening, as he reminded us that it is required of a steward that he be found faithful (1 Cor 4:2). Using the story of the little boy who fell out of bed, Dr. Cooper challenged us not to be found asleep too close to where we got in.

Bro. Tim Mims (pictured here with Benjy) and his family have been at Pine Grove for about ten months, and they seem to be making the most of their opportunity to serve among this precious body of believers. There is an excitement among both the staff and the church members. I’m sure we’ll be seeing good things happen in the Pine Grove community as a result of Bro. Tim’s enthusiasm.

More photos of this event: 2007 Ministry Photo Album.

Gideon’s Steak and Shrimp Banquet

Earlier this month, Benjy was invited to sing and lead the music for the Pastor’s Appreciation Dinner hosted by the Gideons at Pearl River Community College. The food was great and so was the turn out. Benjy recognized many of our local pastors, and he enjoyed their good fellowship and the powerful testimonies given by the speakers. We were surprised to learn that the Gideons deliver 1,000,000 Bibles per week! That's 18 tractor trailer trucks full. What a powerful and effective ministry!

Special 5th Sunday Celebration

We've had several opportunities to worship with our friends at Derby this year. Most recently, Benjy did a morning concert as part of their special 5th Sunday Celebration. After the concert, we enjoyed dinner on the grounds and the sweet fellowship that is so typical of this body of believers.

More photos of this event: 2007 Ministry Photo Album.

Derby Deacon Ordination

Last month, Benjy was invited to sing at the ordination service of our good friend, Brian Anthony (shown here with pastor Dwayne Norman).

I Heard That Bro. Benjy's Voice is Really Mellow

"I heard that Bro. Benjy's voice is really mellow, so I went home and looked it up. The dictionary said mellow means ripe and nearly rotten!"

Giggles erupted all across the church as Billy poked fun at Benjy and various other church members at the Central Baptist revival.

Tue. night was children's night, and oh, how the children (both young and old) loved Billy and his antics! Ms. Cathy and Billy shared a special Easter story with the children in the fellowship hall before the services, and made a special guest appearance in the sanctuary later in the evening. If you are interested in having Billy visit your church, send us an email, and we'll get you in contact with Ms. Cathy.

April has been a wonderful month for our ministry as we saw 22 precious souls saved! There were 11 public professions of faith during the Central Baptist revival, and 11 more made professions after Benjy preached an Easter morning sermon at Morton Church of God (near Jackson, MS).

More photos of this event: 2007 Ministry Photo Album.


We are so proud of McKenzie for completing the True Love Waits program which was sponsored by our home church and lead by our wonderful youth pastor, Bro. Shad Kennedy (pictured with McKenzie). About 50 youth participated in this six-week program and received their True Love Waits ring in a ceremony at the end of last month.

Christian vs. Shoe Salesman

What a GREAT revival we had at Ridglea Baptist in Moss Point, MS! The music was great, the preaching was great, the fellowship was great, all because the presence of the Holy Spirit was great. We left this revival charged up and ready for the rest of the revival season.

During the revival, Bro. Greg Johnston shared this story with us . . .

A shoe salesman was sent to Africa, but after a week, he called his company and said, "Bring me home, they don't wear shoes here." The shoe company brought him home, and sent a second salesman. After a week, he called the company and said, "Send me all the shoes you've got, there are prospects everywhere!"

If we have a burden for the lost to be saved, we will find that there are prospects everywhere!

Next On Our Calendar: Thur. evening (3/29/07), Tammie will be speaking to the women of Derby Baptist, Poplarville, MS, about the Girlfriends In Christ ministry and the importance of prayer. Sunday (4/1/07), Benjy will be preaching at Oak Hill Baptist in Poplarville, MS, and he'll be leading the revival music Mon. through Wed. evening at Central Baptist in McNeil, MS. Come join us if you can!

A Question Mark Christian?

It's unusual to start a revival on Thursday and end on Sunday, but that's what Southside Baptist did last week, and I think we saw a larger, more receptive crowd on Sunday because of the building enthusiasm.

Sunday evening they had a fish fry and derby car race for the whole church. Someone loaned McKenzie a derby racer so she could participate, and she had a GREAT time with it. She said, "Mom, I raced with a rental!"

"I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life," (1 John 5:13).

Bro. Steve Jackson used this verse to speak to us about assurance. He said, "God didn't save us to be a question-mark Christian; He saved us to be an exclamation-mark Christian!"

If you aren't certain of your salvation, read through 1 John to see what John wrote "so that you may know."

Kicking Off the New Season

The 2007 spring revival season is upon us, and we're kicking it off with back-to-back revivals!

We'll be traveling to Southside Baptist Church in Lucedale, MS, this week. Southside is Tammie's home church, so we're really looking forward to a time of sweet fellowship with our family and friends. This revival starts Thurs. and finishes up Sunday morning. If you're in the area, come by and worship with us. Benjy will be leading the music service and Bro. Steve Jackson will be delivering the messages. The services start at 7:00pm.

Sunday evening we'll travel to Moss Point, MS, to be in revival with Ridglea Heights Baptist Church. The revival services at Ridglea will run through Wed. night. Benjy will be leading the music service there, as well, and Bro. Greg Johnston will be delivering the messages. Check their website for more information and directions to the church.

We're looking forward to the new revival season and the new opportunities God will put before us. Please remember to pray for our safety as we travel this year. Benjy still works full-time at the Stennis Space Center, so we be spending a lot of time roads.

We'll see you in church!
Benjy, Tammie, and McKenzie
Phone: 601-255-4947

Samuel Morse Honored God With His Telegraph

It is common knowledge that Samuel Morse was the inventor of the telegraph and the dot-and-dash alphabet called Morse code, but I was surprised to learn that Mr. Morse was also a famous painter. In fact, he was already well known for his art when he had the stroke of genius that lead to his turning-point invention.

After twelve years of perfecting his new technology, Mr. Morse was allowed to set up his newfangled instrument in the chamber of the Supreme Court and test the 40 miles of wire that were stretched from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore, MD. When his telegraph machine had proved its worth by sending and receiving a secret message, Mr. Morse stated that the message,

“. . . baptized the American Telegraph with the name of its Author.”

What was the message?

Numbers 23:23c, “What hath God wrought!”

Mr. Morse believed that God was the real author of the telegraph, and chose to give Him the honor.

Posted by Tammie

Joyful Are People of Integrity!

Today, my Reading Through the Bible assignment included Psalm 119. The first section of that psalm totally captivated my heart! How fitting that I would read it today - the first day of 2007. I'm going to claim it as my theme for the new year. I copied the essence of it here. Isn't it beautiful?

Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord . . .
who obey his laws . . .
who search for him with all their hearts . . .
who do not compromise with evil . . .
who walk only in his paths.

Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!

As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should . . .
I will obey your decrees . . .

Please don’t give up on me!

~ Psalm 119:1-8 ~

Does this passage challange you and stir your heart as it does mine? I encourage you to find a passage that speaks to you and claim it as your theme for the new year.

Posted by Tammie

My Christmas Gift to You

Here we are at Christmas 2006 - time really does fly!

I'm currently working on my Christmas gift to our family and friends - the Interactive Bible Reading Program. I'm so excited at the interest that has been expressed by those I've spoken with about this program. I'm also excited about the prospect of us reading along together! (Most of you know how I love to read and study.) Many of our friends live far away, so we aren't able to worship with them physically. But, with this reading plan, we are participating in a form of worship together.

The internet has brought many sinful things right into the homes of people I love, but I have found a way to use the power of the internet for God's glory! Please consider joining us as we read through God's Word. May God richly bless us as we read it and do what it says.

Merry Christmas! I hope you enjoy my gift.

Posted by Tammie

Union Baptist Revival

What a pleasure it was to be in revival with our home church, Union Baptist in Picayune, MS! We love the people of Union and the strong leadership God has put in place there. I sang "Beulah Land" with our choir. They are a very talented group of people under the leadership of the very talented Dr. John McNair. God is blessing our community through the ministries of this church, and we are blessed to be a part of it.

Posted by The Rigneys

Lincoln Road Baptist Church

Dr. Argile Smith (of William Carey College) and Pastor Geroge McNeese pose with me just before the last service of the weekend revival held at Lincoln Road Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, MS. Dr. Smith refers to himself as a preaching professor, and he certainly demonstrated his ability to preach and teach during this revival meeting.
Bro. George and his wife, Dr. Mary Nell McNesse, have been blessed with the gift of hospitality, and they use their gift in pastoring this congregation. We were made to feel right at home among this precious body of believers.

Posted by The Rigneys

Wesley Manor Retirement Community

Suzanne Noble, director of activities at the Wesley Manor Retirement Community, invited us to participate in their fall music revival. What a pleasure it was to minister to the residents there! They were so receptive and encouraging. They just love children, and seemed to be especially blessed by the song McKenzie led.

Suzanne is a special lady. God has gifted her with the ability to work with the mentally challenged, and she feels that He is leading her to start a Center of Performing Arts for the Mentally Challenged. We look forward to hearing more about this adventure as the Lord provides her with the equipment and funding needed to accomplish this type of ministry.

Posted by The Rigneys

Mt. Zion Baptist Revival

We enjoyed being in revival with our good friend John David Stewart at Mt. Zion Baptist, Brookhaven, MS (just outside Magee). What a beautiful old church! John David tells us they are on the upswing, having had over 50 baptisms this year! We experienced a powerful moving of the Holy Spirit during this revival. Several were saved and one surrendered to the ministry.

John David joined me in a duet Wed. night. We sang "Arise" which is one of his favorites from the Hope of Every Heart CD.

Posted by The Rigneys

Student Life For Kids

Okay! I know it doesn't look like it, but I had the best class at Student Life For Kids camp in Talladega, AL this year. This was the last day, and I told them to be goofy for the photo. They were great all week! They listened to the lessons, and participated very well. I know it was an answer to prayer, because I'm NOT a children's worker. I only volunteered because they were disparate for workers. God really does bless us for our obedience.

McKenzie and I had a GREAT time together, even though the camp was VERY physical. We hiked everywhere we went – up the mountain, and down the mountain! We packed our backpacks at 7:00am and got back to our rooms at 10:30pm.

We had a crew of around 50, so we chartered a bus. I was glad not to have to drive in a caravan, but the bus ride was . . . well, the picture explains it.



Posted by Tammie

Student Life Was Great!

Student Life for Kids at Shocco Springs, AL

July 17 - 20, 2006
Camping at Shocco Springs was great fun!

We climbed the rock wall, rode potty racers, swam, had talent shows, and my favorite . . . "WATER GAMES"!!!

Splash, splat, squish, sounds like fun to me!

Water Fun 2006

Water Fun 2006 was at Ms. Suzanne's house this year. It was a great day!

We had a short rain shower, but afterwards there was a beautiful rainbow!
Can you see it behind me in the photo below?

Battleship USS Alabama

The GA's from our church had free reign of the Battleship USS Alabama on their summer sleep-over. It was great fun, and we learned a lot about the battleship and her crew when we did the scavenger hunt, which our team won!

If you look closely at the collage, you’ll notice that our bunks were suspended by chains from the ceiling. They were arranged in stacks of three with an upper, middle, and lower cot. Mine was the middle bunk – can you guess how much sleep I got?

Postd by Tammie

July 4th Celebration

WOW!!!

Our choir did an OUTSTANDING job in honor of Independence Day.

And, of course, the food and fellowship after church was outstanding as well! We really love our home church, and we miss our church family when we're away.

Posted by Tammie

VBS Fun at Union Baptist

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a big undertaking every summer in most Baptist churches. For several years now I've volunteered to do crafts with the older kids (1st - 6th grades). I'm not really a "children's" worker, my heart is more inclined toward women's ministry, but every year I say, "It's just a week. Surely I can do one week." At least that's what I say BEFORE it starts. But, AFTER it starts, I generally say, "What was I thinking? I'm never doing this again!" It's the same thing every year!

The thing that softens my heart and changes my mind is hearing that 23 children accepted Christ as their Savior as a result of our efforts. That's when I say to our VBS administrator, "I think I can do it one more year. Go ahead and sign me up!"

I hope you enjoy this photo of McKenzie being silly with the "Kayaking with Courage" scene. She’s going to kill me when she finds out I’ve posted this!!!


Posted by Tammie

VBS 2006 Was GREAT!

We had great music and hand motions this year. This is my last year in VBS, but next year I plan to be a helper becuase I LOVE VBS!

The workers and their children were invited to a swimming party after VBS on Wed.

Couple's Bible Study

Tonight was the first night of a mid-week, couple's Bible study which is sponsored by our church. We’re doing Kingdom Authority by Adrian Rogers. I think it’s going to be a GREAT study!

P.S.
The study is over and it was a GREAT! If you’re interested in studying God’s Word, this is one study guide that you’ll definitely enjoy.

Posted by Tammie

Playing My Guitar at Nana's Church

Sunday night, at my nana's church, I played "Here I am to Worship" and Mom and Dad led the congragation in singing. You should have seen how proud my nana was!

Home Alone!

McKenzie went to a week-long summer camp for the first time this year. She did great! She was so excited, and it was a good experience for her. It was a missions camp, and she went with several of her friends from our church. She LOVED it, and even though she had never been away from home that long before, her dad and I managed to survive.

Here we are waiting with friends to pick up our girls...

We were really glad to see her at the end of the week, though. That’s why these are my favorite pictures – the ones where we were picking her up to bring her back home. What will we do when she leaves for college? Oh well, let’s just not talk about that right now!

Posted by Tammie

2006 Blueberry Jubilee!

The weather was HOT at the Blueberry Jubilee in Poplarville, MS this year. Bro. Carl Myers, our Associational Missions Director, took a minute to pose with me after I finished my turn at the microphone. Under Bro. Carl's leadership the Pearl River Baptist Assoc. has been very active at local street fair events with a drive called "Taking Him to the streets."

Posted by The Rigneys

A Very Special Family

This very special family was the guest of honor for Homecoming 2005 at my mother's church. Bro. John, Mrs. Margie, Evan, and his brother Matt (who wasn't able to be there) were the pastoral family from the time I joined the church until just before I Benjy and I were married. Their influence on my relationship with the Lord was invaluable. Bro. John baptized me (and my whole family!) and performed my wedding ceremony. "Mother Margie" taught my missions class, participated in most of our youth trips, and really took me under her wing. What a great family!


Posted by Tammie

Southside Baptist Homecoming

It is always a special time when we are able to be with our family and friends at Southside Baptist, but this year was made even more special by the presence of the Edwards family. Bro. John Edwards is the pastor who performed our wedding ceremony 23 years ago. He preached the house down during this special homecoming service. We were all blessed by the wisdom and vigor of this "retired" pastor who just can't quit preaching!

Posted by The Rigneys

Red Letter Day!

May 28 was a red letter day on our calendar because while I led the music for adult worship at our home church (Union Baptist, Picayune, MS), McKenzie and Tammie led music for the children's worship. See McKenzie's post (below) about this event.

Posted by The Rigneys

My First Gig!

Playing my brand spanking new electric guitar at my home church for the first time was highly nerve racking. Kids went berserk when I pulled out my glistening, candy apple red guitar, and they hoarded around me by the thousands. I didn’t think I was going to make it, when suddenly a brave and handsome young knight boldly charged his men to the rescue and scared off the fiends!!!

Okay, maybe there were only five kids and maybe there was only one cute boy and his one friend that held back only three toddlers until Mrs. Suzanne, our highly appreciated children’s worship leader, told them to go sit down.

Anyway, the fiends, the brave and handsome young knight, his men, and I enjoyed the rest of the service. Afterwards, Mrs. Suzanne reminded me that I was due to play again the very next Sunday! Well, here we go again!

Ball Season at Our Church

I LOVE THIS GAME!

2006 Derby Baptist Revival

Hey, who are those two short guys?

Okay, okay, the truth is out!

Still trying to even things out!

Okay, here's the real story!

We enjoyed the preaching and fun-spirited fellowship of Bro. Dennis Dunn (right) of Sarahland Baptist Church, Sarahland, AL. And, as always, Pastor Dwayne Norman (left) and his family were a pleasure to be with. We were surprised to see the crowds present for this revival. Derby was hosting a disaster relief team from GA the weekend the revival started. The team delivered invitations door-to-door and prayer-walked the neighborhood in preparation for the revival. God certainly blessed their obedient efforts!