Changing Seasons
“So don’t get ahead of the Master and jump to conclusions with your judgments before all the evidence is in. When he comes, he will bring out in the open and place in evidence all kinds of things we never even dreamed of – inner motives and purposes and prayers. Only then will any one of us get to hear the “well done!” of God.” – 1 Cor. 4:5, The Message
“God has different seasons for life…and even for churches,” commented Southwood elder, Hollis Black as he and his wife, Tanya, sipped tea and coffee. Talking with them for a few minutes reveals that they have a passion for communicating God’s faithfulness amidst change in order to encourage others and rejuvenate families. They have been through many different seasons in life and have learned not to jump to conclusions about whether a change is good or bad, but rather to trust God in the midst of shifting seasons.
Hollis and Tanya Black met in a college class coordinated by their church in St. Louis, moving to Huntsville thirty-five years ago. Even though they are both from large cities and have no family in Huntsville, they have grown to love the people they have met here as their God-given family. Hollis worked for Boeing for many years in the finance division, where he had the opportunity to train hundreds of fellow employees and to frequently speak at international aerospace conferences. Upon first arriving in Huntsville, they quickly became involved in ministries in their church and the community, including college/singles teaching and serving on the board of a local private school. However, fifteen years ago, God called them to begin attending Southwood – marking one period of change.
“We decided to join the choir in order to meet people, even though neither of us had been a part of a choir before,” Tanya offered, “And we stayed involved…for nine years!” Eventually, God called them to serve the Southwood body in many other ways, from teaching marriage courses during Sunday School and participating in Bible Study Fellowship, to serving as a K-group leader and an elder. “Members of the Southwood body should take encouragement from the fact that the men serving as elders of Southwood are totally dedicated men living for Christ and serving families,” Hollis shared, “They listen to each other and find a consensus in God’s leadership.” “Yes,” Tanya added, “The members of Southwood have been such an encouragement to us both. There have been times when I felt troubled and I found myself talking with a godly person during a worship service. Later, I realized that this person, through the Holy Spirit, had changed my actions, my perspective.”
Another period of change began when their only daughter, Aubretia, graduated from high school, leaving home to attend college. Because their daughter is quite friendly and social, their home had been called ‘home’ by many of her friends, providing Hollis and Tanya with ample opportunity to share Christ with many different people. Suddenly, along with Aubretia’s absence, God shifted their ministry and both became more involved at Southwood. Tanya also began counseling professionally and has used her gifts to encourage others and to help mend broken relationships.
Now, as the grandparents of four grandchildren, they believe that God is leading them into another time of change, and they are quite excited about this new stage. The Blacks are preparing to sell their Huntsville home, continue to work at reduced hours and move to Birmingham to be closer to their grandchildren. Hollis recently resigned as an elder at Southwood but will continue to serve the Lord wherever they live. For they know God has faithfully led them, and will continue to provide opportunities to advance His kingdom.