I've gone National :)

It was a wild week to say the least. It included eventual appearances on Larry King Live and the CBS Early Show.

When I got home from church Wednesday night a good friend from Hamilton had called and said for me to call her back - quick. I did. She asked if I'd seen John Karr on the news. And, yes, I'd heard it mentioned that they had made an arrest in the Ramsey case, but, you know how it is, you listen and sometimes don't hear. He had been arrested in Asia - I didn't expect to know him. But as soon as I saw that face I knew, it was John Karr, the rather odd guy who had shown up on a number of Sunday nights at the congregation when I preached in Hamilton.

I got a call from a paper in Denver on Thursday night then. It really caught me off guard. I diidn't remember a whole lot about him and definitely no timeline. I did remember that he was really really strange. And I did remember that Red DiLorian.

After the call I thought, "well, I might have another call" so I pulled out old files, started writing what I could remember. Then Friday morning the secretary in Hamilton called and told me Dateline, Bill O'Rilley, The Larry King Show and On the Record had all called trying to find me. Friday about 3 "On the Record" called. They asked a bunch of questions and then asked if I would be on the show that night. I said, "I really don't think I have much to contribute to this story" They said we think you do and I told them I would be willing to do it. They said they would send a limo to pick me up about 8. Wow, a limo. Then about 4 they called back and said they didn't need me. I laughed - there goes my 15 minutes of fame J. Then about 10 minutes later the phone rang and it was a lady from New York who was in California and asked if I would do Larry King Live that night. I agreed and went to a studio over in the Metro Center to do the show (no limo). I asked that they not belittle the town of Hamilton or the church there, that I loved them both and that they just refer to me as Dale and not Pastor or Reverend. Melanie said I did good, so I guess I did.

I then got a called from American Media and later that night I got one from "Entertainment Tonight", how strange Late Saturday night I got a call from People Magazine (I was quoted in the eventual People Magazine article on the story).

It was quiet for a few days and I thought all this had passed over then Friday morning I got a call from CBS Early Show and taped an interview with them that I never saw but understand aired nationally today (Monday). Then today I got a call from a guy who does a show in New York for an eventual interview.

How strange this has all been. From the beginning I've told them all that I really didn't think I had anything to contribute to the story but that I'd be willing to talk to them. I've tried to be a good representative of Christ and His church hoping that perhaps something I said could be used to glorify Him and bring positive recognition to His Kingdom.

And, I've said since I first saw his face: "I wouldn't be surprised if he did this...but more, I wouldn't be surprised if he had made it up and convinced himself that he did it."

Now for a little fun:

I got the following e-mail from my Uncle Dan Saturday night:

>"Now that Karr has made you famous and is selling rights to a book and
>movie, here's the question. Who do you think should play you in the
>movie? Who best could portray your unique abilities. Some in my family
>have suggestions; just wonder who you think. Who does Mel. Think?"

Melanie and I laughed and then I sent back this response:

>What a hoot (don't think I've ever typed that word before). Melanie said
>she likes Kevin Costner, although she mentioned that Tom Cruise is
>looking for work . and he is very religious :-). I'd say Robert
>Redford, but he's getting a little old, so I suppose I'd have to settle
>for Larry the Cable Guy.
>
>I'd like to hear who all you have your money on.

Sunday I heard from Dan's son David whose family has their money on either Danny DeVito or Drew Carey.

I've noticed that my story doesn't really have a lot of zip to it so I've also tried to tweak my respond for future media requests, see how you like this:

Here's my new plan: "Pastor Jenkins, I'm calling from _____ (fill in your preferred media outlet here), we understand that John Karr was once a member where you were the pastor." "Yes, we were close. Mel (that's my wife) and I had them over at least once a week. He loved to baby-sit our sons.I guess what I remember most is that Christmas we spent in Colorado. It was great. We skied and made some great memories.it's like we were inseparable.except for that one night where he just all of a sudden disappeared." Now, that story will sell! I'm holding out for a big contract from The Inquirer!"

Keep me in your prayers - obviously, I need them :)

Have a great week. I'll try to post on a couple of other things before the week is over.

SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY...

It didn't take me anytime after I started preaching to realize that Sundays come every 7 days (hey, I'm pretty sharp!) And further that in preaching Sundays are mighty important. Armed with that essential information I tried to remember, "How many Sundays growing up do I actually remember? What sermons specifically impacted my life?" Now, I know in a sense they all did, it's the accumulation of lessons and study that causes growth. It is not a specific meal that makes you healthy/overweight/skinny, but the accumulation of them.

So, in one of my strange moments, I called the various preachers who I'd heard deliver these life-impacting sermons and asked for their notes and for permission to "use" their powerful sermon. They were all gracious and allowed me. Most said something like "I won't mind if the guy who I stole it from doesn't." :)

Sunday I will preach one of those sermons. It is the sermon I think that most made me who I want to be and the sermon I heard most growing up and one of the sermons I have most often preached. Spring Meadows reminds me of so many things precious to me from my growing up years that are being made fresh and alive at this place - WONDERFUL singing, the children (so many children) playing in the yard and enjoying being together while their parents visit on the porch, as warm a welcome as you can imagine.

Have I said enough to encourage you to be here? To bring several friends? To my Spring Meadows friends, let's overflow both buildings this week.

See you Sunday?!

P.S. Next week I'll try to post on my connections with John Karr, my interview on Larry King Live, the new book I have coming out and a good friend who was just diagnosed with diabetes.

BLOGVEY

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!

Wow, 2 blogs in one week. You aren't going to know what to think of me :)

It's audience participation time. We are working on a logo to use on various print materials. A good friend, who would rather me not mention his name, put these four together. I want YOU to vote - help us get an idea of which is most appealing. Send me an e-mail - dale@edge.net Rank them 1-4 (i.e. if you like 3 best and 4 next and 2 next and 1 last. List them 3,4,2,1.) Make any comments you want. If we need to go back to the drawing board totally, just let me know. NOTE: Because, I suppose I'm rather clueless, I'm going to have to put Logo 1 & 2 here and 3 & 4 in another post.

And, thanks.

Number 1

Number 2

Number 3

Number 4

CHANGE OF ADDRESS...

Yes, we officially have an address change coming. Not the Jenkins' family, but the Spring Meadows Family. Last night I wandered in to the Spring Hill planning commission meeting. Among a small handful of other SM folks was Dale Davenport who has done so much in helping us get to this point with this facility. For those of you who haven't heard a little history. The Spring Meadows church secured a building early on that they anticipated would take them though to the first stage of the building on the I-65 property. It is a beautiful little building, you can't help but fall in love with it.

Well, as one SM'er puts it "don't limit God" - He has blessed us more than we could imagine (seems like I've seen a promise like that somewhere :)). I've been there 3 Sunday's and we've had 100 or more each of them - not bad for a building that seats 85ish.

It seems like when a need arises it is met. About the time it started looking obvious that we were going to burst out of our buildings capacity the guy who allows us to use his property for parking on Sundays, who runs a hardware store whose lot sort of adjoins ours made it public that, with Home Depot and Lowe's both building in Spring Hill, he was moving out. Moving his business to Chapel Hill. We made an offer to sublease the building for about 2 years and with last nights commission approval can occupy it (or at least start turning it into a church building) as soon as he is out. We think about 60 days.

And, yes, the building was at one time a bar. Reminds me of when I was at Granny White and we were part of helping convert a bar in Scotland into a church building. Think about it, Some of the people who most need the church will know right where it is - they might even stumble in :). And to so "redeem" a building (I know buildings don't have souls) that's wonderful to. Most cities could use a whole lot less bars and a whole lot more places of worship!

This is great news for many reasons. One of the tops is that this facility is located facing highway 31 - the main thoroughfare through town and the visibility will be wonderful. So, soon, we will be changing addresses. Our new address will be, Lord Willing, 5306 Main Street. Ain't it grand!

We thank God.

P.S. We now have hit 50 subscribed readers. To subscribe and get notices whenever the blog is updated, e-mail me dale@edge.net - thanks for reading.

From Far Away...Paris!

I started this blog 38,000 feet in the air. On my way from Nigeria to Paris for two days before I head back to Nashville. Where to begin? So very much has happened. Let's begin with someone else...Or might I say several others. The trip was to teach, but I learned. First, I learned about what a huge lectureship is...Over 4000 people were at this program. They went from 5 in the morning till near midnight. They sang and they laughed and they listened. Most of the day was spent under one roof - they separated for men's/women's/youth's classes once each day. It rained and rained and many were in the rain, but they sat. The PA system was primitive at best. But they listened. Most didn't have any electricity. Such humble, hungry people. "blessed...for they shall be filled..." It is no wonder the church is growing so rapidly in Nigeria - for they are hungry!

I also learned much from the sacrificial missionary there. Dr. Russell Fountain moved to NCBC in 1993 and has stayed. He has snippets of home and he is comfortable by their standards, but I don't know many of my brethren who would endure such...and with such JOY. He obviously loves the people there. I thank God for him and for them.

Well, as you might know, I'm an official Nigerian Chief. If I can figure it out, I'll add a picture to prove it. NCBC (Nigerian Christian Bible College also gave me an honorary Doctorate while I was there this time).












As I said, I'm blogging from Paris. It is August 7 and Melanie and my 24th anniversary...I'm in the city of love! Only Mel is in Nashville :( Well, if you read this, you'll know I can hardly wait to get back home, where it doesn't matter if I'm chief, or Doctor, or a good lecturer...but where I am loved by a wife, my sons...(and yeah, by the way, a daughter-in-law), other family and my FAMILY in God.

Love,
dale