Our Pastor

 

Who am I?  If we are defined by our relationships, then first of all I want to be defined by my relationship with Christ.  I am not ashamed to be a Christian, but more importantly, it is my desire to live my life in such a way, that He is not ashamed of me!  All my other relationships should be defined by my Relationship with Jesus Christ, as I live for Him.   

I have been further identified by all the things I do, my hobbies, my accomplishments, my work, etc., but then something awesome happened! I became a dad! Then I became a dad again, and again until there were six, four boys and two girls. The kids grew, and now two thirds of them are married, and I became a grandfather, and then I became a grandfather again, and again, and again... until there were eight granddaughters. Then last year we added two grandsons in May, another granddaughter in August and twin grandsons, also in August.  In the picture above, with my wife, my children, their spouses and our thirteen grandchildren, we are twenty five souls.  This March my baby my youngest daughter is expecting our fourteenth! That’s who I am, and there’s something that happens to you when you are both a father and a grandfather, and you have children and grandchildren. You learn how to play with them, because that's how you relate.  Oh yes, there’s a big difference between the games you play with the babies and toddlers, and the games you play with your teenagers and adult children. But there is one sure thing you will play, and these relationships define who you are to your children and grandchildren. Sometimes I just play chase with them, back and forth across the room, and around in circles until we fall in the floor.  Wow, do they ever know how to play, and they are so happy to help us to remember how.  And one more important thing to remember is this:  "We don't grow old and quit playing; we quit playing and grow old."  The way I figure it, with thirteen (soon to be fourteen), I should be able to stay young for a long, long time.  It's the time we are investing in our relationships that most define who we are.

At Christian Fellowship, there are many other relationships in our church family that I really treasure.  These people are just that to me, a loving and treasured, extended family!  I am so honored to have the joy of being their pastor.

Now a word about my boldness to comment on political issues.  Some may have some harsh criticisms for all my "political" involvement.  I am quite outspoken on these issues, and I want to share here, some reasons why.  First Jesus said we are the salt of the earth, and I believe you have got to get the salt out of the shaker for it to have any effect.  There are many who would be quite happy for the church to be silent about all political issues, but if we are silenced then our nation, state, and local communities, will be led by those who do not fear God.  Someone's values will dominate, and I believe Christians really can make all the difference.  Therefore, I am outspoken in the hope of making a difference for Christ, his Kingdom, and my children and grandchildren.  I can not and will not be silent while there is the hope of making a difference for them.  

I am so glad that my Father in Heaven always has time for me, and I want to be the kind of husband, and father, grandfather, and pastor, who makes time to nurture the relationships in my life.  My greatest goal, is to one day hear Him say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."