Prophets wear lime green flip-flops

Saturday afternoon, Phil, Max and I left for a week in Newport. We are using a week of condo time and wanted to relax close to home. Before leaving, Phil got a tip that an old friend had started a new fellowship just a couple of minutes South of Newport.

Sunday at 9:00 a.m. we pulled up to southbeach community center, home of South Beach Chapel, led by Pastor Andy Green. Andy is quite the enigma. With wirey gray hair, thick white beard, jeans, t-shirt and flip-flops, he is not your grandmother's preacher man.

Including Phil and myself, there must have been about twelve folks in attendance. The atmosphere was homey and sweet. Although I expected a roomfull of old people, there were two young couples and a single young man.

Andy himself led worship on a badly tuned guitar. What he lacked in musicianship, he certainly made up for with joy and enthusiasm. The following teaching was just fabulous. Andy has the gift of an intimate, conversational teaching style. It's a bit like sitting down with an old friend who has extensive insight on the One who created us. Andy is just too hard to define, or categorize. Eccentric, friendly, peaceable, wise......

After church the tiny congregation served lunch. We left with full bellies and full hearts. May God bless Andy and his wife Katie. Next time your in Newport, drop in and say hi. Tell him Phil and Ellen sent you.
-EJ