First Baptist Church of Shawnee

Years ago as a young boy Ben Hinkson was the Pastor and my father was assistant Pastor. I always remember my experience with the church and how over the years through my wanderings and falling away from Christ things in my young childhood there always stayed with me. I had a near death experience a few years ago on the operating table. In short I left my body and could see what they where doing to me, suddenly I was on a golden path covered in sparkling jewels. An angel was holding my hand leading me to a beautiful bright light full of warmth and love beyond imagination. The Angel and I spoke with out speaking I felt I was in a spirit form. As we walk toward the light at the end of the path the angel holding my hand would pick up a jewel and show it to me and we talked how beautiful they were. She stopped and said no it is not your time, in an instant I was back in my body. Later the doctor told me I almost died and he said I saved your life, I said I know, I saw everything. I told him it was God's hand through yours that saved me because his plan for me was not yet done on earth. I cant write everything that happened not enough room here. I met my wife who is from the Philippines. We have a farm on the Island of Bohol. 10 acres near the sea. We built a house and a caretakers house there. We have 5 school students that we take care of their room and board and school costs. We pay them a small allowance for doing chores around the farm. To stay they must maintain good standing with the school. Currently two of the students are Honor students. We are proud of this. The Province area is very poor, without our help the students would not be able to attend school. We plan to travel back and forth for a while during our retirement. Long story short is the church put impressions in me as a young boy of Christ's love that never ends, There is a Heaven, I saw it and was almost there. God does have his plan for each of us through out our entire life. God Bless FBCS Craig Smith