God has blessed me with an awesome pastor!

[JesusFreakWithAGuitar]

This has been a hard year and my pastor has been right there with my husband and me, praying for us and making phone calls to keep an eye on things for himself. My dad had a triple bypass, my pastor called after meeting him one; my step father has cancer and isn't expected to live long, he called him to make sure he had his life right with Jesus and to comfort him. And now, he went to my old work place to meet a friend of mine who wants to get married. :thumbsup: I'm not accustomed to pastors going above and beyond like this, it really encourages me to do all I can for Christ and to demonstrate this kind of love. Do you all ever feel the same?

[newbeliever02072005]

<........it really encourages me to do all I can for Christ and to demonstrate this kind of love. Do you all ever feel the same?

Yes, I am always encouraged by the loving actions of others at my church and my pastor. Its because of those willing to be available to the Holy Spirit that I was able to draw closer to the Lord and eventually accept the Lord into my heart. It definately is a energy booster to get you going!

So, glad that you are at a place that you can be encouraged like that.

God Bless,
Newbeliever :wave:

[Athanasian Creed]

I'm reminded of a wonderful Baptist pastor i had when i was around 12. He was much more than a pastor, he was a father figure, a mentor and a great friend. Speaking of going the second mile, he even volunteered to drive me to summer camp 200 miles away when i had no other way of getting there. He was the one who baptised me and, as a result of his faithfulness to believe and obey the Scriptures (James 5:14,15), he and the elders prayed for my mom's healing (though he admitted wasn't in the habit of doing so) and she was healed (medically confirmed) of a brain tumour.

How i thank God for such a humble man that he was - Pastor Douglas Sherwood. Sadly for me and those he pastored over the years (though i'm sure not for him), he went to be with the Lord several years ago after a lengthy battle with sickness.

I rejoice that one day i'll see him again!:pray:


Ray :wave:

[JPPT1974]

That is good my friend
Glad that you enjoy him
Pray that the Lord will give him wisdom and the words to preach
Good luck to your church!

[SonOfThunder]

It's good to read these encouraging stories.

I didn't grow up with one leader at meetings. Elders were there to support but nothing like pastors. Each week someone different would get up and give the message so I had no idea the role of a pastor.

The one connected to The Baptist church is very supportive, making regular phone calls. He drove down to where I live with my parents (1,000 klm) to meet. I was unable to offer him a roof over his head so he also had to go into a hotel. He has arranged somewhere for me to live when I move and has just been like a dad to me.

Is this just one person? no, each week he used to ask if someone was missing from the meeting and who knew about what was happening in their lives, he would encourage us to ring each other and reach out. You could tell he was involved in every family, a far cry from a hand shake only on a Sunday.

Church is not one person I know. It is everyone pulling together. But a good leader demonstrating by their own behaviour sure helps it to rub off

James

[JPPT1974]

It is a team effort
You are right about that my friend
Not a one-man show at all.