Being the Shepherd of a Flock for our Lord has man exciting and blesssed times, but it also comes with times of great sorrow. This past month, we experienced both. On June 18, we buried our dear friend and fellow minister, the Reverend Debbie Ruddick. Debbie was a daughter of Jim Overton, who was a fishing guide in Port O’Connor for many years – he was often called “Sarge”. Sister Debbie, as we called her, was one of the best Bible Teachers I have studied with and an excellent preacher of the Word. Her husband, Everett, and their children are greatly missing her, but so are we Chapel members. Her memorial service was very inspirational, as directed by Pastor Joane, and the entire congregation lead by Ryan, provided a special family meal.

Then on Saturday, July 3, we were honored to share in the Celebration of Life in honor of Gene Hunter. Gene and his wife Julie lived in Port O’Connor for about 18 years before Julie’s passing a couple of years ago. At that time, Gene moved to port Lavaca until he joined his wife in Heaven. Both Gene and Julie were extremely talented folks and are not only missed by their family, but by our community.

The Sea Academy had classes scheduled here for July 11 through 18. They had ten students. Everything was going excellently until we needed our building for Sister Debbie’s funeral. Captain Robert, in his usual self-giving spirit, finished his work and put in some extra long days to be completed in time for us to have the Memorial Service on Friday. We have had Captain Robert here at the Chapel since 2000, and we have always found him to be the man who will bend with our needs, and we trust he knows that we sincerely appreciate it. The next class will begin on August 20 here at the Chapel and all interested students need to contact the Sea Academy and Captain Robert as soon as possible at 361/785-6184.

Fathers’ Day was extra special this year. Pastor Joane ministered to our men and they truly enjoyed it. Each Dad present received a special gift, courtesy of Captain Marty of Marty’s Landing. Each year for at least the past 25, Marty has provided our dads with fishing lures and each year, we have our ladies who want to be “honorary men” in order to qualify for the gifts! Thanks, Captain Marty!

We were honored to have the Reverend Don Nordin as our special guest speaker on July 11. Pastor Nordin and his wife Susan direct the C.T. Church in Southeastern Houston, but with campuses all over Houston and in several other states as well. They sponsor the Men’s Rehab place called Project Hope and the Ladies’ Rehab Home called Amazing Grace. They have come several times to this area to fund raise and many have met them. One of our own, Jessica Gonzales, successfully completed the Amazing Grace program and is now assisting in a home in Florida. C.T. Church directs conferences of all types. July 16 and 17 they will host a Women’s Conference called “Shine” , and in September they will put forward an Empowerment Conference for pastors around America. We are honored to have the Nordins come to the Chapel.

We are hosting the youth from Arkansas, who will be helping with the Vacation Bible School at First Baptist. We encourage all parents and any grandparents who have children with them in Port O’Connor to make sure the kids have an opportunity to experience VBS. The whole family will be blessed by their attendance.

Fisherman’s Chapel is an interdenominational congregation whose goal is plainly to help people from this
community find a personal relationship with our Creator through Jesus Christ. We meet on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. for Bible Study; 11:00 a.m. Morning Service; and 6:00 p.m. for Evening Service. We also gather each Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Everyone will find a warm welcome at the Chapel and all are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”