Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness...
In 1978 American broadcaster Paul Harvey gave a speech to a Future Farmers of America Convention. It is a speech that has gone on to be known through different avenues, perhaps most recently as it was used in a marketing campaign for Dodge Ram trucks in 2013. The speech is titled “So God made a Farmer”. While the speech was intended for farmers, I have gone back to it time and time again for encouragement in my own life. Despite its intended audience, I find it just as meaningful for those who follow Jesus, the Spiritual farmers of the world.
The main focus of the speech is to encourage farmers by recognizing the difficulties of the occupation and the character that farmers were known to often have. The ones who go above and beyond to care for neighbors near and far. Other than its beautiful rhythm and tempo, it also is an amazing description of strength and gentleness. One stanza of the speech goes:
“God said, I need somebody strong enough to clear trees and heave bails, yet gentle enough to tame lambs and wean pigs and tend the pink-combed pullets, who will stop his mower for an hour to splint the broken leg of a meadow lark.”
I think for the world, gentleness can often be conflated with weakness. But gentleness is not weakness, it is strength. It is the strength to know that you can get exactly what you want through force, through anger, through retribution, through being louder, or prouder, or more sour; the strength to know you can take that route but intentionally choosing a different route. It is using your shepherd’s staff instead of your cattle prod. It is being wise as serpents and innocent as doves.'
One of the people on our teams who I have best seen embody this concept of gentleness is our Porkland and MOA food manager Sierra. Sierra is able to wrangle a bunch of knucklehead guys together to create great food and facilities at Porkland, and then immediately go over and be a sweet, gentle food provider for our preschoolers. Never losing her cool, but never letting things get out of hand. Loving kids, gently, into behaving in a way that is appropriate for school. Next time you get a chance, listen to Paul Harvey’s short speech on Youtube, and say hey to Sierra next time you see her at Porkland.
Ethan Essex
Introducing Mr. Payton
Introducing Mr. Payton Fergus as Love City's Executive Assistant and MOA's new Physical Education teacher!
Mr. Payton was born and raised in Evansville, Indiana. He met his now wife and longtime Portland resident Kelsey Rodgers (daughter of Sandy Case-Rodgers and Ben Rodgers) at Hanover College. Mr. Payton graduated from Hanover with a degree in History. He played football for 12 years, including all four years while he was in college. He's lived in Portland since the summer of 2018 on Bank Street, just down from BJ's Kustom Auto.
After graduating from college, Mr. Payton began his legal career, volunteering and working at places such as the Legal Aid Society and Access Justice, another non-profit located in Portland on 22nd Street. While in law school, Mr. Payton organized and refounded the Christian Legal Society at the University of Louisville's Brandeis School of Law, in which he served as its President for 2 years. Mr. Payton graduated from law school, passed the bar exam, and worked for a law firm in downtown Louisville for 3 years.
Despite all of this "success", Mr. Payton still felt called to serve others, but not in a legal capacity. After his son was born in September 2025, Mr. Payton felt a calling to serve his new home and community. Through much prayer, Mr. Payton answered God's call and joined Love City's team as an executive assistant. This semester, he will be Mighty Oak's physical education teacher, while he also assists with administrative work for the Love City, and filling in happily wherever he is needed.
Mr. Payton is extremely excited to help restoring this beautiful community and neighborhood to its vibrant state. "And I heard of voice of the Lord saying 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me." Isaiah 6:8.
Mighty Oak Supplies Lists!!!
As we start looking forward to the Spring Semester we are looking again at our supplies for the rest of the year. If you would like to support through purchasing supplies, it’s not too late. You can find those lists here:
Supply Wishlist: https://a.co/4IDGPaN
Snack List: https://a.co/g4DnQYr
Merriment Online!!
If you are missing browsing our shelves, don’t fret, there are plenty of ways to browse online. To view our ebay store click here. If you want to view our larger items visit our Facebook Marketplace here. We are still accepting donations, if you would like to donate call (502) 930-9006. Check out one of this week’s featured items below, we have a whole selection of woodworking items for the woodworker in your life.
Fish Fry Open!!!
We’re back!!! Can’t wait to see you today, get your fish and churched up tots today!
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.