July 2026 Newsletter

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Tourists Brothers and Sisters in Christ, There is an old line from the Elvis movie Blue Hawaii that has made me chuckle for years. Angela Lansbury's character exclaims, "Tourists aren't people... they're tourists!" Of course, the humor comes from the way Americans are often portrayed as inhospitable. Lately, I've found myself watching videos of people visiting the United States for the first time. With the World Cup underway, there has been a large influx of international visitors. Many arrive expecting a nation divided by political strife, filled with rude people and constant conflict in the streets. They have only known what they have seen on television, social media, or news reports in their own countries. Yet they leave talking about something entirely different. They marvel at our national parks, the portions served in restaurants, and places like Buc-ee's. Frankly, I still marvel at a gas station the size of a Walmart myself. Some have even given five-star reviews to Arby's. They are genuinely...
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June 2026 Newsletter

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Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Nothing New Under The Sun "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun."— Ecclesiastes 1:9 (KJV) This spring, I planted my two raised garden beds, starting my backyard gardening journey. No mustard seeds planted yet (that's a callback, more on that in a moment.) I am doing succession planting, where early crops will be replaced with things that will provide a bounty in late summer and into the fall. Some plants are thriving. A few are struggling. A few seem determined to test my faith more thoroughly than any of life's inconveniences before or since. One thing gardening teaches rather quickly is that nature is remarkably honest. Turn over a rock and you will discover life is already hard at work. Plants reach for sunlight. Insects build homes. Creatures find food. Sometimes two bugs are engaged in...
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May 2026 Newsletter

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May 1, 2026Brothers and Sisters in Christ, God has never needed something big to do something significant. “For who hath despised the day of small things?” (KJV)— Zechariah 4:10 In recent months, we have looked at moments in the early church where something important was close at hand… …and nearly missed. Peter stood at the door after being delivered—an answered prayer, still waiting outside.The widows were present within the church—real needs, quietly overlooked in daily care. In both moments, the issue was not a lack of faith or effort. The people were praying.The people were serving. But something essential was still missed. In both moments, everything changed when someone noticed…and someone responded. The Work That Is Easy to Miss Not all ministry is visible. Much of it happens in quiet moments—a conversation,a visit,a need that is not clearly spoken. For many of you serving in communities, prisons, hospitals, and homes, this is familiar ground. The work does not always bring immediate results, but it remains essential. A Pattern We Recognize We’ve talked about the widows,...
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April 2026 Newsletter

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April 3, 2026 Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”— Matthew 7:7 (KJV) We believe those words. We pray, we ask, and we trust that God hears us. But what happens when the miracle comes, and we are not paying attention? In the book of Acts, the early church was gathered in prayer. Peter had been taken and placed in prison, and the situation was serious. And God answered. Peter was released, and he went to the house where they were gathered. He knocked at the door. A servant named Rhoda came to answer. She recognized his voice and ran to tell the others — leaving him still standing outside. They told her she was mistaken. “And they said unto her, Thou art mad.”— Acts 12:15 (KJV) It is a bit humorous and very human scene. They were praying, and still they did not believe the answer when it came. And all the while,...
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March 2026 Newsletter

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March 3, 2026 Brothers and Sisters in Christ, A Season of Celebrations This time of year is a special one in our household. I will be celebrating my 52nd birthday on March 4th, and Sister Cathy will be turning 70 years young on April 1st (which was also an Easter in 1956.)These moments remind us to give thanks for another year of life, and for the many ways God has helped us through both joyful times and difficult ones. “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”— Psalm 118:24 (KJV) God still gives us reasons to smile and to be thankful together!!! (an extra couple of exclamation points to honor Dr. Davy’s style. I am sure he is smiling down on us as we keep his mission going.) “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?”— Isaiah 43:19 (KJV) March Message to our Ministers—The Day After Easter Easter and Christmas...
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February 2026 Newsletter

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Bearing Faithful Witness One of the quiet gifts of growing older is learning how to honor what truly matters even when our perspectives and spiritual styles differ. My father Dr. Davy and I did not see the world or faith the same way. He carried a strong “Sword of Christ” theology, rooted in clarity, authority, and lots of exclamation points (!!!) My current journey as someone who volunteers for my mama, Sister Cathy, is one of learning and growing. It has been shaped by Jesus walking in the dust with people, sitting with the wounded, and entering messy human stories. We approached following Christ from different angles, sometimes with real tension between us, yet always with the same goal to bring people to Christ. When I come to you, I leave my worldly biases behind. As I continue to carry Dr. Davy’s mission forward in our church family, I’m reminded that unity in Christ does not require uniformity...
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January 2026 Newsletter

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Brothers and Sisters in Christ, A January Reflection on Barnabas, and the Purpose of the Church Let us all take a moment to breathe. With the holiday season behind us and a new year underway, the Church experiences a unique and sacred moment to pause. This is an opportunity to contemplate our ongoing transformation and consider the nature of the faith we share and practice collectively. The early Church faced a similar moment, though under quite different circumstances. In the book of Acts, believers learned how to live as a community, share resources, raise up leaders, and trust God when the future was uncertain. Here, we meet a man whose life still imparts a subtle yet powerful influence. “And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation), a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”— Acts 4:36–37, KJV Joseph (in Hebrew, Joses in Greek)...
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Dr. Davy’s Passing

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For Immediate Release: First Church of the Gospel Ministry Announces the Passing of Bishop Dr. Davy Ray Kendrick and Continuation of Ministry Operations BUCYRUS, Ohio – First Church of the Gospel Ministry announces with deep sorrow the passing of its beloved Bishop, Dr. Davy Ray Kendrick, who departed this life on January 11, 2025. Link to obituary. Dr. Kendrick, affectionately known as "Dr. Davy," dedicated his life to ministry, music, and serving others. Throughout decades of service, he touched countless lives through his preaching, mentorship, songwriting, and leadership. His influence extended far beyond Bucyrus, Ohio, reaching individuals and ministries around the world. Following a period of declining health and recovery from a stroke, Dr. Kendrick passed peacefully on January 11, 2025. In accordance with his wishes, a small private family gathering was held on January 13. His final resting place will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing,...
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