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Easley, South Carolina for two years, before becoming the Managing Editor of The Easley Progress, the local newspaper. The time in Easley was very special, and the boys were born there. During their ten years in Easley, they were active at First Baptist Church, and helped with church planting at Summit Heights Baptist.

In 1994, Norm took a position at Front Street Baptist in Statesville. During the life-changing two years at Front Street, the Cannadas answered the call to inner-city missions. Front Street became their sending church as they made the move to Charleston.

Norm has served as pastor of West Charleston Baptist Church since July of 1997. He is a Church Planter Strategist with the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Pastor Norm loves baseball, no matter who is playing, but he particularly loves the Boston RedSox.

He's a faithful supporter of his UNC Tarheels, the proud dad of Tres (and his wife Courtney), Billy, Shannon, and "Papi" to granddaughter, Emeri and grandsons Ethan and Elliot.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (HCSB)

I had just gotten to Times Square in New York City on a trip with some pastors and was looking forward to showing them one of my favorite cities in the world and eating at my favorite NYC restaurant --- the ESPNZone.

As I came out of the subway, the phone rang and it was Shannon, who had just finished exams at North Greenville University and was headed with Billy to meet my mom at Myrtle Beach. I assumed she was calling to update me on their trip since I generally ask for a call every two hours. I was ready to tell her where I was and what I was doing. But, before I could say anything but, “Hi,” she said “I’ve had a wreck.” Suddenly, neither my location nor dinner seemed to matter. I asked questions and quickly learned that she and Billy were okay, but that the car was not drivable. We would have to find a way to get them off the interstate and with someone who could get them to a safe place.

I felt pretty helpless. I was nearly 1,000 miles away and really couldn’t do anything to help. Debbie was closer but was still six hours away. Her parents and my mom were also hours away.

That helpless feeling is one of the worst feelings in the world. I want to be there when my kids need me and, in their moment of crisis, I was too far away to do any good at all. But, helplessness is also a good thing because it reminds us of our complete and utter dependence on the Lord. That evening was a scary time for me, but it also reminded me that the Lord can take care of my family better than I can and I can always trust him. Our situation had not surprised the Lord and He was certainly capable of meeting our need.

It is a difficult lesson to learn, but I believe the Lord is attracted to our weakness and helplessness. He can be trusted and will make a way when there seems to be no way.

The Lord reminded Debbie of a friend in Columbia, SC, who answered the phone and went to the scene of the accident. This friend offered to drive them to meet my mother at the beach and the kids actually got to have their beach vacation while the car was being repaired.

God is so good. Everything doesn’t always work out that easily, but He can certainly be trusted to take care of us.

In His Grip,

Norm Cannada