A Great Loss

It has been a little while since my last post and I have been thinking in the past couple of days that I have so much to write . . . getting ready for school to begin . . . a fun craft project for the girls' teachers . . . Madison's Slumber Party . . . a recent beach trip . . . and I will definitely get around to those in the next couple of days.

But, I need to stop for now and let you know of another great loss we have suffered here in our community. I will back up a little and tell you that three months ago, our former Pastor, Forrest Pollock and his son Preston were killed in a plane crash in North Carolina. It was the day after Mother's Day and Forrest and Preston were flying to a Pastor's Conference in Texas. They had stopped in North Carolina so that Pastor Forrest could spend the day with his Mom and to drop off one of his daughters to stay there with her grandparents for a visit. It was soon after take off that the plane went down. Both lives were lost in the crash. Forrest left behind his wife Dawn and five other children.

Pastor Forrest had brought Bell Shoals to the forefront of our community. He had such a grand vision of Bell Shoals from the first day he and his beautiful family came to Brandon. He named his campaign "Greater Glory." And that is exactly what Bell Shoals continues to bring to Brandon and beyond . . . the hope of Greater Glory!

Our community just reeled from the loss. And, once again, we find ourselves in the same awe-stricken pain. Last night, the Senior Music and Worship Pastor, Simeon Nix, suffered a massive and fatal heart attack. Simeon went to be with our Lord (& to once again be by the side of Forrest) about 1:15 this morning. Simeon leaves his wife Beth and two 7-year-old children.

Simeon had a heart attack and was placed in the hospital on Tuesday of this week. He had a minor surgery to place a stint. The doctors also discovered an infection which they fully anticipated for Simeon to recover from both. The doctors released Simeon just yesterday from the hospital.

Those of you who knew Simeon, know that he was an energy force within Bell Shoals. His energy radiated throughout the sanctuary and the hallways.

Several months ago, David and I decided for a few different reasons to join another church, Fishhawk Fellowship. It was certainly NOT because of the Ministerial Staff. They are, in fact, who kept us there for that long. What a dynamic team! Fishhawk was started by Bell Shoals Baptist several years ago. Many of our members there are friends from Bell Shoals, as is our Pastor, David Whitten. David served as a youth pastor at Bell Shoals before becoming the Senior Pastor at Fishhawk. However, David and I spent 6 years at Bell Shoals & our children still attend the Academy at Bell Shoals. Besides our new church home at Fishhawk, Bell Shoals is our family's "home away from home."

We, as many others within our church and community are hurting. To some of you who read this blog and aren't Christians, I will tell you that Yes, we ask "Why?", we hurt, we cry, and our earthly feelings long to have them back here with us. But . . . we also know that we will heal, we will find encouragement, we will persevere, and most importantly, we KNOW, without a doubt that they are whole, they are healed, they are rejoicing, and they are living in that Greater Glory that we continue to strive toward. I can't help but think of the FANTASTIC worship that was in Heaven today!

For now, our prayers are with Beth, Sterling, Bre'Ana, the entire Bell Shoals family, and the Bell Shoals staff. Simeon, you are greatly missed!

If you want to read a little about Simeon and the wonderful man, husband, and father he was, here are a few sites:
http://www.adoptglobal.org/nix.htm
http://simeonnix.com/
http://www.bpnews.net/modPhotoFrame.asp?StoryId=28085&index=2