A Monumental Day
This is definitely a monumental year in my life.
In January, I celebrated 30 years of marriage to the love of my life. February arrived with another celebratory moment. February marked 25 years as a pastor. Now it’s time for the big one.
Today June 6, I turn 50 years old. I remember a time when people that age seemed ancient to me. However even though I have some aches and pains, I don’t count myself as ancient. There is definitely a lot more of me than years gone by. I now tip the scales around 300 pounds.
Even though I weigh this much, my body fat percentile is low. I don’t have a lot of fat; I’m endowed with SWEET MEAT!!
In August, I will celebrate 15 years as the Senior Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church. Fifteen years ago I came back to Jasper County. I was the class clown of 1981 and people couldn’t believe that I am now a pastor. I’m still a clown; I’m just a clown on mission for Christ.
Over these past 50 years I’ve seen a lot of things, and been to all sorts of places. I’ve preached in churches of all sizes both in America and abroad. I have preached on street corners, nursing homes, truck stops, tents, and in the Philippines jungles.
I love to tell true stories of things I have seen and events I have participated in. Most of my stories involve humor.
My life began in Newton General Hospital 1963. I was the third and final child of Lewis and Imogene Sorrells. I often joke that my parents had my sister Gail in 1951 and my Dad said, “I think we can do better.”
Two years later Shelvie was born and Dad said, “that’s some better, but lets see if we can top her.” It took 11 years, but I was finally born. Dad looked at me and said, “Now that’s perfection, and there will be no more.” I told that story to a nurse a few years back and she informed me that I was telling the story wrong.
She said that when I was born my Dad said, “Oh Lord we’ve messed up now, we don’t need anymore.”
My life has been surrounded by humor since day one. When I was born they gave me to the woman in the bed next to my Mom. My Mom says the lady was loving me and making a big fuss over how beautiful I was, when the nurse came in and told her that she had been given the wrong baby. I imagine she cried when she saw her baby wasn’t as cute!
I am thankful for the monumental moments in my life. I look forward to sharing with you as often as possible in The Monticello News.
I am known as the Big Footed Preacher with a story to tell. I will seek to share a variety of stories that will be serious, inspirational, and humorous.