Photo courtesy of Steve Cole.
Birmingham Mayor William Bell presents Pastor Bubba Justice with a proclamation declaring Aug. 19 as “Bubba Justice Day.”
On Saturday, Aug. 19, the Inverness Vineyard Church honored the church’s founding pastor, Bubba Justice, as he has completed 23 years of ministry and has taken the position of National Coordinator with Vineyard USA. Birmingham Mayor William Bell was part of the festivities, reading a proclamation announcing Aug. 19 as “Bubba Justice Day” in Birmingham. Vineyard USA’s National Director Phil Strout talked about Justice’s work with world missions, including in Kenya, where he helped form the Association of Vineyard Churches.
Several area pastors also took part in the night, including Frank Barker, pastor emeritus, Briarwood Presbyterian; Richard Trucks, pastor, Third Presbyterian Birmingham; Alan Carter, retired pastor, Faith Presbyterian; Allan Murphy, pastor, North Shelby Baptist; Jeremy Saylor, pastor, Christian Life Church; Donny Acton, pastor, New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church; David Pettway, pastor, Fresh Anointing House Of Worship; and Bruce Terry, pastor, Liberty Church.
At the end of the night, IVC’s new pastor Miguel Zayas and his wife Mai Zayas were introduced to the community. He shared a few words to greet the crowd and then had Justice and his wife Melany Justice come pray over him. Zayas’ first day was Aug. 27.
The entire weekend was named “It’s A Bubba Weekend” and began with a catered meal and Bubba Roast on Friday night. Several surprise guests showed up, including most of the Vineyard USA office from Houston and a couple from Pennsylvania who the Justices have not seen in almost a decade. Then on Sunday morning, VUSA’s Phil Strout gave a stirring admonition in his sermon entitled “Day of Discovery.” It was a historic weekend for the Inverness Vineyard Church.
– Submitted by Steve Cole.