Some of you may already know that I just returned from a recent trip to PA. My trip had many parts: doing ministry for FamilyLife, meeting with some of our personal partners, and visiting with my family. What most probably don’t know is that I planned this trip to coincide with a visit to Faith Church. You see, Faith Church was celebrating it’s 50th anniversary. Faith Church holds a special place in my life – it’s where my family and I came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ – and those decisions changed the trajectory of the rest of my life.
As a Christian, I acknowledge that I would not be here today if it were not for the people who have gone before me. People who I may not have ever thanked for their influence on my life, people who may have never had the opportunity to see what kind of man God shaped me to be, people who I have forgotten, and people who still have a continuing influence for where God will lead me. Of course, I could spend a lot of time and try to write those names down for you. But that would likely be boring for you, nearly impossible for me, and I would not want to risk missing someone special or missing that person who I never knew, yet profoundly altered my life from behind the scenes.
November is a season where we give thanks. I am the person I am today because I stand on the shoulders of many others. I give thanks for these people, each an every one. They are the ones who placed me where I am in service for God, they are the ones who continue to hold me up. If it were not for them, I would not be where I am today. During my time at Faith Church this past weekend, I heard many stories from people who were there at the beginning. I also ran into (don’t worry I didn’t actually hurt anyone) many people who have known me a long time. Just thinking about each of them brings a swell in my throat and tears to my eyes. I can never repay each of them but I can live my life for God, and prayerfully have someone stand on my shoulders someday for their journey ahead.
If you have the time, watch the 16 minute video listed below the Pastor Roundtable for the Faith Church 50th Anniversary celebration. I had the privilege of sitting under the authority and preaching of three of the men who speak in the video: Pastor Tommy Thompson, Pastor Ken Spence, and Pastor Brooke Solberg – all of them had a part in who I am today. Thank you!
50th Anniversary :: Pastor Roundtable from Faith Church on Vimeo
Two points from the video that still echo in my mind:
- The foundation of Faith Church – a missions minded Church. It was that exposure to missions that God used to shape me and prepare for where He has me serving today at FamilyLife in Little Rock, AR. This ministry is impacting this millions of people in the United States and over 100 countries – for this generation and beyond.
- We need to develop a people who have a hunger for the word – disciples producing disciples.