Hugh's News & Commentary

I received this from Donna Stevens:

"Hi Kathy, I have heard thru Facebook from long time friend Rich Pennington, a prayer request for his father James Pennington. Many people know him, he used to work at headquarters and the family attended Muse church, he is in ICU at Mercy with an infection in his back that won't go away. Please add him to your prayer list. Thank you, Donna Goad Stevens"

"Lord, we lift James Pennington to you asking you to heal and restore him today. We thank you for your healing glory over him because he is your child. We entrust his life to you with expectation that he will be raised up and healed in Jesus' name. We send your word of healing to him - "Behold, I will bring health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth" (Jeremiah 33:6). You promised to "...send your Word and heal them and deliver them from destruction" (Psalm 107:20) We stand firmly in agreement! In Jesus' name, amen!

Keep praying! Kathy Shelley

[Editor's Comment: I am indebted to Colleen Mashburn, wife of Retired Army Chaplain (Colonel) Freeman Mashburn for this special prayer request for James Pennington. They reside in Jones, OK, and attend River of Life Pentecostal Holiness Church (formerly known as Muse Memorial Church).

James Pennington and his wife,Theda, are dear friends of mine. James or Jim as I often call him, was the administrative assistant to the late Bishop J. Floyd Williams when he served as the General Superintendent of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, Inc. After James Pennington left our headquarters he pastored in California, North Hollywood P. H. Church, and was elected as the superintendent of the Golden West Conference.

Theda worked at Southwestern College when I was president and was a great asset to us with her computer skills and work ethic. She always demonstrated the kindness and love of Jesus, and made people feel good who came in contact with her.

Jim pastored in New York City for a number of years after moving from California. However, they lived in New Jersey. In recent months he and Theda have left that pastorate and moved back to Oklahoma City. For a number of years now, Jim and Theda have faithfully supported Hugh's News by their financial contributions and prayers on a monthly basis.

Unfortunately, I have lost contact with them, since they moved from New Jersey. However, I did learn that a month or so ago James was hospitalized in Oklahoma City, and I got the telephone number and called him and talked with him briefly. I called again, but to my surprise, Leroy Baker was there visiting and answered the phone. I did not want to interfere with that special visitation of two life-long friends (they had attended Southwestern College together) and worked at headquarters, now called Global Ministry Center, in Bethany, OK. When I called the next day, James had been released from the hospital.

Please join Kathy Shelley, Donna Stevens, Colleen Mashburn, the congregation at River of Life Pentecostal Holiness Church and Melvine and me in praying for James Pennington. He is one of our boys and we love him. God is more than able to heal him and make him whole. Our prayers will make a difference. Heaven will take notice, and healing will be forthcoming. We must focus our prayers on Jesus, our Healer and High Priest.

I have learned that what I need to know or get will come to me by God's gracious hand through His people. Thank you, Colleen, for sending this announcement and call to pray for Jim Pennington.]