our turn

Though I was born in Anderson and grew up in “nowhere, Indiana” for the first 12 years of my life, the next 6 years were full of moves leading me to attend 2 junior high schools, 4 high schools and living in 3 different states before returning to Anderson for college.  During those crazy years, the one constant in my life was Campmeeting in Anderson, now known as North American Convention. 

We used to meet in what, at the time of its construction, was an engineering marvel: a large concrete dome auditorium that used to have the globe painted on the exterior.  Inside were thousands of the worse plastic/fiberglass chairs ever conceived—but the Spirit of God often moved there freely in the singing, the fellowship, the preaching, and the prayers.  This is where, as the old-timers would say, “I saw the Church.”  The greatest services in that old auditorium were always the Wednesday night Commissioning services.  I would marvel as a child as leaders and pastors from all over the globe would bring in the flag of their home nation or the nation they were serving; I would listen to the testimonies of far off places and God’s provision in the midst of trying circumstances to share the Good News.  And near the conclusion of the service, the Church would introduce families and share their stories of calling to serve in far off places; we would pray for them, and then they would be charged with the Scripture.  Then, those families would receive and slowly share the light of a candle, one by one until the whole dome had that wonderful soft, yet bright glow. 

I often wondered how the memory of those nights, surrounded by the Church & those candle lights impacted those families.  Monday night, I will find out first hand as our family takes our place in that line of those who have been called internationally.  I never thought that could be me—I definitely never sought it—but here we are, willing none-the-less.

We have the bonus joy of having our parents share the moment with us; it has been their faithful obedience that has given us the foundation from which we now make these steps.  In that same spirit, we are excited about how this will be a foundation that will lead to greater steps of faith in the lives of Grace, Titus, and Zeke.

Along with our parents, we will be surrounded by friends, co-laborers from 6th Ave, and those we have also inspired to follow the call of God within their own lives.  Among these will be Abby Smith (Colombia), Josh Weiger & his wife Audrey (Park Place), Bryan Kelsen (Pueblo, CO), James & Mary Alexander (6th Ave), Alexis (6th Ave), Jose', and Julie Nalbach (6th Ave & WITC).  Each of these will represent you as they surround us and lay hands on us for the commissioning prayer--thank you all for your love, support, and ongoing prayers.