From the Pastor's Pen
MEET OUR PASTOR
Reverend Oscar C. Myles, Jr.
Pastor, Fountain of Praise Church
Rev. Oscar Charles Myles, Jr. was born the second child of five children to the Rev. Oscar C. Myles, Sr. and Shirley M. Myles on January 5, 1957, in Herman Hospital, Houston, Texas. He received and accepted the call to preach at the age of 13 years old. He was licensed to preach on April 10, 1970, by his uncle and Pastor, Rev. L.W. Lavergne of the Brighter Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Houston, Texas. Sensing the call of God to better equip himself for ministry, he later joined the Blue Ridge Baptist Church of Houston, Texas to sit at the feet of the late Dr. Wilson Duke Richardson, who was a counselor and educator at Prairie View University, where he also served as Director of the Baptist Student Union.
Rev. Myles received his academic education in the Houston Independent School District, graduating from Evan E. Worthing Sr. High School. He was accepted to continue his education by American Baptist College, and moved to Nashville in August of 1975. He was elected President of the freshman class, and pledged Hoi Adelphoi (Alpha Iota Nu) Fraternity. In the Fall of 1977, with a desire to advance his studies in the concentration of Social Studies, he transferred to Fisk University.
Rev. Myles began his ministry in the Nashville area as a son of the St. James Baptist Church, under the pastorate of the late Rev. Daniel L. Williams, where he was also ordained. He was called and elected Pastor of the Pilgrim Emanuel Baptist Church in February 1978, where he served as the youngest pastor of Nashville churches for 7 years. He has also served as Pastor of five other churches in Tennessee and Texas, over a period of 30 years. He is currently an associate minister of the 14th Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, Nashville Tennessee, where the Dr. Frank S. Gordon is Pastor. Rev. Myles continues to travel as a featured speaker conducting institutes and revivals throughout the United States. He is the proud father of four children, and five grandchildren.
On December 6, 2015, led by the Spirit of God, Reverend Myles, along with a small group of visionaries organized "The Fountain of Praise Church - Nashville." Since its inception, the church continues to witness continual growth and is fulfilling its motto:
"Imparting the Word and Impacting the World"
SERMON LINKS:
Crippled Praise: What Do You Need to Worship God?
By Pastor Oscar Myles
Many of us in today' s society, feel that we need something to help us take care of mundane tasks. We need a crutch to take care of simple, human task that should come natural to us. In order to go to sleep, we need to take something to help us sleep. Some people take medication to give them an appetite. Others take something to curb their appetite. Still others need a television on to have dinner. Then there are electronics: cell phones, iPods, iPads, and computers. I watch with interests, many couples who "spend time together." But both parties have their heads down gazing at electronics, such as their cell phones,and they barely talk to one another.
Then, there are the church folk. Some church-goers feel they need a choir to get their praise on. Others need a specific pastor to feel like they've been to church. When that specific pastor is not there, they abandon the church and go elsewhere.
What do you need in order to worship God? Do you need an electronic device, a choir, or specific pastor to preach? Do you have to be at a church or a large cathedral with padded pews to praise God? Praising God should come as natural to us as it is to go to sleep or eat a meal. Likewise, it should not be a difficult task to pray, praise, or worship God. Can you praise God in the middle of traffic, when the cars are just not moving and you are running late? As for me, I can praise and worship God anywhere, anytime, and on nothing but a sweet memory of His mercy and His grace. God's word is sufficient!
Biblical Proof:
"Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven, Thy faithfulness is unto all generations. Thou hast established the earth and it abideth. They continue unto this day according to the ordinances for all thy servants." Psalm 199:89-91.
