MASON, GA — Congregants at Mason First Baptist Church reported this week that Pastor Larry Jackson was "really phoning in the altar call" during Sunday's contemporary service.
According to several church members, Jackson had been doing well during the first worship songs and had even delivered a "real corker of a sermon" on the urgency of making a decision for Jesus before it was too late. Tragically, however, Jackson's momentum seemed to fizzle out as he tried to bring the service to a close with the altar call.
"All right, you know the drill," Jackson reportedly said, keeping one eye half open to scan the congregation as he waited for the day's quota to come up and give their lives to the Lord as the piano played quietly. "Let's get this over with — there's got to be a few of you out there. We're just looking for three today. Come on, Casey. Bill? Frank? Guys, guys, just help me out here...we can do this the easy way, too."
"I felt a bit bad for him, running out of gas like that," said Marlin Conklin, who has been up to the altar four times in the last month. "Normally he's got more stamina, but it just looked like he was tired and out of it this week. It's all right. Pastor's got a whole new season coming up."
At publishing time, Pastor Jackson had been relieved of his weary vigil by three young ladies who came up to make their choice for Jesus one more time, just to make sure.
Travis is back on his mission to interview everyone. Next on the list is celebrity chef and restaurateur Andrew Gruel.
