Hang in There Like a Hair in a Biscuit

“Hang in there like a hair in a biscuit.”

If you’ve never heard that expression before, you’re not alone.

It’s the kind of colorful Southern saying that makes you laugh, cringe a little, and remember it forever.

During the special celebration service honoring Pastor Bob and Kelly DeAngelo for twenty-five years of faithful ministry at Friendship Baptist Church, guest speaker and longtime friend Sammy Frye shared how he first heard that phrase from a preacher in eastern North Carolina.

At first, he thought it was a little ridiculous.

But the more he thought about it, the more he realized it carried a simple message:

Don’t quit.

Stay faithful.

Keep going.

And as Sammy reflected on Pastor Bob and Kelly’s ministry, two words rose to the surface.

Faithful

Sammy reminded us that God’s definition of success is often very different from the world’s.

The world measures success by numbers, accomplishments, recognition, and visible results.

God measures success by faithfulness.

Quoting 1 Corinthians 4:2, he reminded us:

“Moreover it is required of stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

For twenty-five years, Pastor Bob and Kelly have modeled that kind of faithfulness.

Through seasons of joy and challenge, opportunities and obstacles, they have faithfully served the Lord and served His people.

Sammy spoke of Bob as a faithful

• pastor,
• administrator,
• coach,
• father,
• husband, and
• friend.

He also took time to recognize Kelly’s faithful partnership in ministry, noting that no one serves in ministry alone.

Together they have walked through the blessings and burdens of ministry, standing side by side for a quarter century.

Most importantly,

their faithfulness reflects the faithfulness of God Himself

God is faithful in temptation.

God is faithful in forgiveness.

God is faithful in every season.

Through every chapter of ministry, the Lord has remained steadfast, and He has enabled His servants to remain steadfast as well.

Fruitful

Faithfulness and fruitfulness are closely connected.

Sammy pointed to the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5 and reflected on one characteristic that has consistently marked Pastor Bob’s life:

He has a genuine love for God and people.

The many who shared testimonies that evening spoke of the same thing.

Whether through preaching, teaching, counseling, encouraging, mentoring, or simply spending time with others, Pastor Bob has invested his life in people.

Fruitfulness is not merely measured by programs, attendance figures, or accomplishments.

It is seen in

• lives touched,
• hearts encouraged,
• disciples made, and
• relationships strengthened for the glory of God.

A faithful life becomes a fruitful life.

A Lesson Worth Remembering

As the evening drew to a close, Sammy returned to his memorable phrase and even shared the song that eventually grew out of it:

“Hang in there like a hair in a biscuit.”

Behind the humor was a powerful truth.

Life brings difficult days.

Ministry brings challenges.

The road is not always smooth.

Yet God never changes.

His faithfulness never wavers.

Because God is faithful, we can remain faithful.

As Friendship Baptist Church celebrated Pastor Bob and Kelly’s twenty-five years of service, we were reminded that some of the greatest victories in the Christian life are not flashy or dramatic.

They are found in the daily decision to

• keep trusting Christ,
• keep serving others, and
• keep walking with God year after year.

Twenty-five years later, that testimony still shines brightly.

May we all be found faithful.

And by God’s grace, may our faithfulness bear fruit for generations to come.

Congratulations, Pastor Bob and Kelly DeAngelo!

Thank you for twenty-five years of faithful and fruitful service to the Lord and to the Friendship Baptist Church family.