Remembering. . . 
Reverend Doctor Jesse William McDaniel, Jr.  
Founding Pastor - Canaan Baptist Church, Mobile, AL

               God’s Warrior

I looked into his pulpit and saw God’s Warrior,
     Fierce and full of the Spirit of God.

          Each day of his walk
               He walked with God.
          Certain of his destiny,
               Certain of God’s will -
          To preach, to pray, and point the way to Christ.

I looked into his pulpit and saw God’s Warrior,
     Fierce and full of the Spirit of God.

          A man of God
               For his family, his friends, his community.  
          Directing our lives - communal and spiritual,
               To seek justice, fruitfulness, and fellowship.

I looked into his pulpit and missed God’s Warrior,
     Though saddened, my heart filled with joy -

          For God’s Warrior had fought well.
               He delivered a community, a family -
          He guided our souls to Christ.

          His prayers are the foundation for our lives.
               His worship is the music in our hearts.
                    And, his love is the blanket that we share.

​          A love that reminds us of his ever-present spirit -
               Woven into the fabric of our lives;
          His presence fills the place
               And I am grateful that he was here.

I looked into his pulpit and did not see God’s Warrior,
     Fierce and full of the Spirit of God.

Now gone to be with God.




Vernet Clemons Nettles, Ed.D.
October 24, 2016