Greetings to the saints of God in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; peace be onto you and love from God, our Father, which art in Heaven.

The church of Jesus Christ is in the midst of spiritual turmoil and peril. We need to become re-engaged, re-inclined and re-enthused to carry on the world of our master, Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, the church has become materially loaded and spiritually lightweight.

I am appealing to all black Baptists and saints of God to join with the Antioch Missionary Baptist Association of Adams County for our annual convention Friday and Saturday at the Christian Hope Baptist Church, 304 LaSalle St., Natchez. The Rev. Dr. John Scott Jr. is our moderator for this county.

Truly we are in a drought season, literally and spiritually. Our God wants us to be at the top of our spiritual game against the enemy of God’s church.

We need to come together as united churches and children of God at least once a year.

We must rely on the prescription of God to achieve his approval. Second Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

I know you may say; I am, or we are, doing just fine with things as they are; but I have news for you. Together we can stand against all odd and foes; standing alone and with a few, we slowly succumb to the enemy, a defeated people.

We, the church, need to gang up on the devil at least once a year in a county-wide convention of people who truly love the Lord. How beautiful it is to have many churches coming together for one cause; preparing to do the work of almighty God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let’s make our God happy and come together Thursday and Friday at Christian Hope Baptist Church, LaSalle Street, Natchez.

We will have out-of-town guests to share revising and energizing words from God.

My prayer is that you will be there.

May the Lord God almighty bless you richly.

The Rev. Clifton Marvel Sr. is pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church.