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The following note was received from : Greg D'Alessandro September 2, 2009
In 1986 I called Brother Paul when I was desperate in a motel room in Little Rock and he and Barbara came and stayed with me all night. 10 years later in 1996 I went back to visit and told him I was saved. I spoke at Friendly Chapel and never forgot the influence he had on my life. I wanted to get in touch with him again but I am devistated to learn that he went home to be with the Lord 2 years after I saw him. Ask Barbara if she remembers me the outlaw biker with long hair beard and tatoos. I really wanted to see him again but I guess I will have to wait. I have a picture of us in front of the motel room just before I left in 1996. I just want you to know that in all my travels across country Brother Paul was the most Christ like man I have ever met. I really regret that I wont be able to see him again on this earth. My deep condolences to Barbara and the rest of the family. I am so happy to see that Paul's son is living his legacy. In Christ Greg
P.S. By the way Brother Paul gave me a new testament bible which to this day i keep it in a pouch on the tank of my harley.
Donna, Bro. Paul, and staff: Aug. 2009
My name is Corey Nooner and I started attending Friendly Chapel this past April. I copied you on an email where I corresponded with some co-workers back in the first part of June. You forwarded the email on to Bro. Paul and I appreciate that. At the suggestion of a couple of co-workers I attended service one Sunday. We had discussed church over the last two years. I mentioned my disappointment with the condition of the churches I had attended over the past few years. I had accepted my idealistic views of what I thought a church should be as just that; idealistic. I had lost all hope of finding a place that I envisioned what God would look down upon and be happy at what He sees going on.
I know it is cliché, but God has a funny way of showing us things. My first time attending service, I showed up for at 8:00 because I thought there was an early morning service. As a kid attending church I do not remember there being an early morning service. There was only Sunday School and an 11:00 service and Bible Study on Wednesday evening. I’ve always wanted a church with a traditional sense in the way they operated and this was an indication of old fashioned tradition. When I arrived I saw the church “abuzz” with people working. The people were busy preparing for the morning events. I noticed a guy zipping around on a golf cart. I rode around the church a few times and thought to drive back home and come back, but I live in Bryant and knew if I went home I would not be coming back. My son and I drove around the NLR area for a couple of hours and came back about 10:00. I noticed people going in so I figured I would go in and have a seat until the start of service.
As I walked up to the church the gentleman on the golf cart approached me to say good morning and extended his arm for a handshake. He asked me if I had been there earlier. I explained to him that I had been invited to attend by a couple of co-workers and I thought there was an 8:00 service. He laughed and asked their names. I mentioned them by first names and he went on complete their whole names and how they were involved in the church. He then went on to introduce himself as the Bro. Paul. I was in shock! I was like this is the guy they were have been telling about. From my past experiences with churches I would not see the pastor until it was time for him to make a “grand entrance” so to speak, when it was time to deliver the message. Bro. Paul and I made our acquaintance and he welcomed me to the church. I walked in and sat down and was soon approached by a lady who invited me to attend the adult Sunday School class. On the way there we passed Orlando and she handed my son off to him. I was extremely nervous about it because it was my first time visiting and did not know anyone at the church.
After Sunday School I walked out front and saw all these people from different walks of life gathered and greeting each other. By now Bro. Paul had changed clothes and was out front as well. He approached me again and addressed me by my first name. He shook my hand again and asked was everything okay. I told him everything was fine and that I was just going to go check on my son. He then pointed out to me where to go for the Children’s Church. I walked over to check on my son and he was having a blast. I was put at ease and each following Sunday we have returned it seems as though the people there have known him for years.
I made a resolution this year to find a church home. God knows what it is we need. Like many, I have had disappointments in my life. Mine usually happen when things are too good to be true or I have set my expectations too high. It is chilling to me to see my ideas of what I thought a church should be unfold before my eyes. Only me and God know all my thoughts and desires and it’s only Him that could have led me to Friendly Chapel. Bro. Paul talked about being where God wants you yesterday. I know without a shadow of a doubt Friendly Chapel is where God wants me.
Bro. Paul stopped me after service Sunday to ask if my son got to go to the back to school shopping trip. I told him that we had missed service last Sunday. He asked me to give him a call today about taking my son to JCPenny’s. I graciously appreciate the gesture, but more than that I would like to know if I could meet with Bro. Paul and express to him my gratitude for how his teachings have touched my life in a short period of time. I want talk to him to see how I can be of service to the church and the community. I have foreseen how Friendly Chapel is going to change my life and I feel compelled to pay it forward with whatever I can do to help.
I hung around after service yesterday because I was trying to get a video copy of the service. If possible there are a few past services I have attended that I would like to get a copy of or maybe just check out. My wife works the 6:30PM – 7:00AM on Saturday and Sunday and has to come home to go to sleep to get ready for her shift on Sunday night. I would like to share with her what I have been privileged to be a part of.
I have been on vacation since last week and I return to work on Wednesday of this week. I know Bro. Paul is very busy, but if he gets some free time I would love to meet with him at his convenience. My son has a doctor’s appointment at 9:50 today, but I will make myself available any time. I can be reached at 256-6855.
Thank you for taking the time to get this to Bro. Paul. I really appreciate it. Take care.
Regards,
Corey Nooner
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This is a copy of the ad placed in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette on Thanksgiving Day, 2007
This note was received from a friend who worked on Thanksgiving Day - serving in the soup kitchen.
All,
I have a warm smile in my heart. Serving at Friendly Chapel (http://www.friendlychapel.org/Home/tabid/241/Default.aspx) was a fun and meaningful experience. From our groups there were 12 Adults, 4 Teenagers, and 5 Children – 21 in all. Praise the Lord and Maker of heaven and earth. These givers represented the Fellowship Bible Church staff, Men’s Fraternity, and Celebrate Recovery. I have no idea how many volunteers were there in total, but there were many and they were needed.
We started arriving at about 10:15 AM and things were already buzzing. Brother Paul Holderfield is pastor and his wife, Cathy, was the “General” who graciously led all of the volunteers through to success. Cathy was great~! With an ever-present smile, confidence that comes from many years of giving in this manner, and accurate direction she kept all those who wanted to serve, busy. What kind of things did our group do? We were all over the place doing a myriad of “works of service”. The teenagers pushed around serving carts offering a variety of pies and plenty of Cool Whip. Several worked the serving line which included a full compliment of Thanksgiving food. Some refilled drinks and some worked in the kitchen. Some set up additional tables and chairs when we ran out of space for those we were serving. Some were assigned a table to be their servers. Some just walked around just chatting with folks… and I noticed at least one very special act of service I would like to highlight.
One our group was a 6-Year old girl. She carried a small basket which contained pre-cut pieces of colorful paper and a blue felt-tip marker. Some pieces of paper were blank and others were already completed saying “Happy Thanksgiving to you!!!!” (see the attached… she gave me one too). She went around selflessly and fearlessly sharing the love of God (as we all did) with those we were serving. Did I say she is 6? From time to time she would return to the name tag table and write out a few more “cards”. She was precious and her acts of kindness will not be soon forgotten.
I asked Cathy how many people the collective “we” had served and she said, “We’ve almost gone through two packages of 175 Plates”. I mentioned that to one of the guys serving and he said, “And we gave them “seconds” on their original plates.”
Luke 6:37-38 (New International Version)
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
We will have another opportunity to serve at Friendly Chapel in December…
- December 21st – Christmas Dinner will be served to the same population (just show up by 10:30 AM. Yes, it’s a Friday)
- December 23rd – “Country Christmas Store” (more on this opportunity next week)
It was an awesome opportunity. I loved and enjoyed being with you all.
In Him,
Bill