November 1, 2010
Hebrews 13
Pastor John Edwards
I can see his black-rimmed glasses and warm smile, but don’t recall a specific sermon. What I do remember – vividly – is that he looked into the little boy’s eyes, telling him that God’s hand was upon him for future ministry. I suspect that Rev. Guy Helms’ largest Southern Baptist church never had more than 200 weekly worshippers, but he was a giant of the faith. His exhortation has never left me.
Years later in my early 20’s, Wool Howell’s question made me laugh. “Have you ever considered going to seminary?” As an aspiring writer and broadcaster, I politely rejected the Presbyterian minister’s idea. Yet “Wool” (nobody called him Dr. Billy Shaw Howell, and he liked it that way) affirmed a call in my life and funded a career-counseling exploration process. I’ve never forgotten his belief in me.
Fast forward a couple of decades, when Bishop Ken Baker of the Church of God of Prophecy arranged my attendance at a pastor’s leadership training event. I still had no interest in full-time ministry, but there was a strange sense of belonging as I was riveted to Dr. John Maxwell’s spot-on teaching regarding leadership principles. It was just one example of how Pastor Ken’s influence changed my life.
A few years ago, before accepting God’s invitation to serve alongside Grace Covenant’s pastors, Pastor Farrell and I sat in a booth at our neighboring Bob Evans Restaurant. He paused, then shared a sense of my call to a “ministry of ministry support.” The exhortation flipped on a floodlight in my spirit, and fuels everything that I’m about.
I see the faces of these faithful, spiritually-credible mentors as I read Hebrews 13:7: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” Many days, I feel that my faith-walk can’t hold a candle to theirs.
Yet I’m encouraged to consider the common bond in their otherwise disconnected faith and leadership journeys. It’s found in the next verse: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” I’m so thankful that the legacy of leaders named Guy, Wool, Ken, John and Farrell is marked by that belief. Fueled by their love for Jesus Christ, they brought Bible-based hope and truth into divine intersections in my life…even though they haven’t met each other on this side of heaven.
Your life has probably also been enriched by leaders like that. I encourage you to remember those that have influenced you – here and for eternity - by thanking the One who called and equipped them. Their Lord and Savior is ours as well, so renew your commitment to honor Him. Carry the torch of faithfulness, reproducing what has been invested in you by investing into the lives of others.
They wouldn’t want it any other way.
When asked about a historical figure (not from the Bible) that he would most like to meet, Grace Covenant’s Executive Pastor for Planning and Development identified William Booth, whose heart and courageous tenacity on behalf of lost and disenfranchised people established The Salvation Army in 1865.
