Over the past couple of weeks, Jan and I have had the opportunity to renew our relationship with two churches that are very special to us. We spent almost two decades ministering with two churches–the Holmes Road church in Lansing, Michigan and the Fort Gibson (Oklahoma) church. These churches are special to us for many reasons.
They are special to us because of the meaningful friendships and spiritual relationships we had and still have with the church and with many of its members. Even though new members have been added and both churches have continued to grow, we remember and cherish relationships.
They are special because they hold for us fond memories. These are the churches that nourished our sons and supported and encouraged us in our early adult years. I was 27 years old, not far out of college, and relatively inexperienced in ministry when we arrived at Holmes Road. By the time we left Fort Gibson for work in Christian higher education, I had another 20 years of meaningful ministry experience and had earned a couple of post-baccalaureate degrees.
They are special to us because they formed us in ministry and for future ministry. Churches develop and grow ministers more than ministers develop and grow churches. These two churches are significant to us for what they have encouraged us to become.
They are special to us because of their heart for evangelism and missions. Both of these churches grew significantly during our ministries, but it was not solely because of us. These are great churches with a strong commitment to effective ministry and missions.
Finally, they are special to us because of the love and support they continue to give us.
