~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

April 11, 2002

Rev. Benny Still

c/o First Baptist Church

P.O. Box 326

Grand Bay, Alabama

Hello Benny,

Wow! What a great job you did at the Senior Adult Rally!  The people loved you!

I want to thank you for the time you spent preparing, driving and producing.   I am glad to  call

you a friend.

I look forward to more activities such as this where people can be entertained, informed, encouraged, and inspired!  God has blessed  you with all of these traits along with a personality to deliver it!

May God continue to bless your ministry.

In Christ,

Buddy McElroy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eddie Ruddick, Th.D.
211 County Road 219
Stanton, Alabama 36790
(334) 366-4274
June 23, 2002

Pastor Search Committees
Southern Baptist Churches

RE: Rev. Benny Still as Pastor

I am happy to recommend that you prayerfully consider the Rev. Benny Still of Grand Bay, AL, as your next pastor.

Firstly, because I have known him personally for nearly a quarter of a century.  Soon after I came to Clarke College as Chairman of its Religion Department, I met Benny Still. I have observed him closely under the stress of denominational tensions, church pressures, and personal family crises. He did not become bitter in adversity, or cynical because of the failures of others. Rather, his faith has become stronger and his dedication has deepened.

Secondly, because he has a pastor's heart and would make you a fine pastor. He cares about what happens to people. I recall writing to him about a south Alabama family in need. He agreed to hold them up in prayer, although the family lived a hundred miles from Benny. Later, he told me that he looked outside across the street and saw a deacon, whom he knew, visiting a relative. The deacon lived in the same town as the needy family. He ran over with the email in hand. The end result was: one needy family had a great Christmas that year.

Lastly, Benny is energetic and optimistic. Young people like to be around him, because he speaks their language. His sermons hold their attention because he is a gifted speaker. No one ever leaves his church wondering what the preacher was trying to say. When I am near Grand Bay I go to hear him preach. That's why I know, so I guess one may say that adults love to hear him preach, too.

If you have questions or concerns, call me at (334) 366-4274, email me at Clarke4eer@aol.com ., or write me at 211 County Road 319, Stanton, AL 36790.

In His care and keeping,
E R
Eddie Ruddick

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the Desk of

W. Bryce Evans, Ph.D.

Mobile, Alabama

August 2, 2002

To those who may inquire:
God has given Bro. Benny Still a multitude of talents (gifts).  He is not only a fine preacher, but he also possesses interpersonal skills that make it possible for him to reach out to all ages.  His humor and excitement for God makes it a joy to be with him.  Music is Bro. Benny’s forte.  He plays the piano with a great touch and sings with a beautiful melody.

Having been a bi-vocational pastor and university professor for over forty years, and having evaluated ministerial and other speech students through the years, I can say without reservation that Bro. Still is indeed one of the best communicators I have known. 

Presently, Bro. Still is President of the Ministerial Association in our area and Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Grand Bay, AL.  Truly he is a Godly man who has a full heart and as well as a full head and is gifted in preaching, singing, playing the piano, entertaining and leading others to Christ. 

I can recommend him without reservation.

Signed,(s)

W. Bryce Evans, Ph.D

Pastor, Higher Ground Baptist

Irvington, AL

Professor Emeritus,

University of South Alabama

Mobile, AL

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To whom it may concern:

 I know "Cletus, Clyde, De Preacher," and Benny. This is one fine Mississippi Southern Gentleman who has not only the Call, but the Gift to minister. You've not been blessed like God wants you to be 'til you've allowed Benny Still to do it. Give him a call.

Rev. Chester Estes, Pastor

North American Mission Board

Prayer for Spiritual Awakening

9560 Highway 492W

Union, MS 39365

President, Clarke College Alumni Association 2002 

chester188@aol.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~