Hugh's News & Commentary

Our family dined at the Olive Garden in Athens on Monday afternoon.

Ken and Jeanette Herndon Phillips invited Melvine, Greg, Stephanie and me to eat with them and their family at the Olive Garden in Athens, GA, on Monday, December 26.

Since we had to wait about 30 minutes to be seated, Stephanie and I decided to get us a coke, she got the real thing, and I got a diet Coke with cherry.  An attractive couple came and sat next to us as we slowly sipped on our cokes as we talked.

I did not recognize them. However, I will usually engage people I see in conversation. I used to think I was timid and shy, but Melvine helped get me out of that. So, I asked the man what business he was in. He said that he had retired. I followed up with another question, "What career field were you in?" He responded by saying, "Professional Baseball." I asked what is your name. I was embarrassed when he told me he is Otis Nixon, the famed Atlanta Braves Center Fielder, a switch-hitter, and the man noted for stealing bases. He didn't look the same out of his uniform.

You know Otis Nixon had a remarkable career with several major baseball teams: New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Montreal Expos, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, and Atlanta Braves again.

To add insult to injury, I learned that his wife is the well-known Gospel singer, Candi Staton. I discovered that she was saved under the ministry of my good friend, Dan Ronsisvalle, pastor of Huffman Assembly of God and Cathedral of the Cross in Birmingham. Dan died in 2003, and I learned about his death about a year after he had died. She knows John Loper, senior pastor of Gary Wood Assembly of God who is also a friend of mine.  It's a small world. You will remember Candi singing on PTL, TBN, etc.

Otis and Candi are now residing in Madison, GA, and are involved in ministry together teaching, preaching, coaching life skills and mentoring in churches, schools, prisons, and cooperate events speaking into the lives of people. Although I had heard Candi Staton sing in person when we lived in Birmingham, I must admit I did not recognize her until she told me her name. Then, I knew it was she.

Well, our table came open and we had to say "good-bye" to Otis and Candi. I gave Candi one of my business cards and invited her to check out my website and read my newsletter, and I invited both of them to attend our church in Athens, GA, Christian Life Worship Center on Kathwood Drive.

We are blessed to have one of the best pastors and preachers anyone can have. His name is J. Brian Williams. He is in his early 30s, and is far ahead of where I was at his age. He is a student of the Bible, prepares to preach, and always delivers his message with anointing and passion. My role is to benefit from his ministry, support him, and to encourage him as he continues to grow in grace and the power of the Holy Spirit.