Going back a few years ago, Kristen and I were very proud members of http://www.calvarymemorial.com. We still refer to Calvary as “our beloved Calvary.” (Though this has faded a bit as time has gone on. We actually don’t miss it too much anymore.)
Anyway, each week I get an e-mailed version of the Sunday sermon. I personally think Ray Pritchard is one of the best communicators of the God’s Word anywhere. (I’ve heard all the big names and he is at least as good as them.) Long story short, last week’s e-mail was from a sermon in 1989.
At that time, a young lady sat in the audience and heard this sermon about committing to missions. Later on, she did. She and her husband were sent from Calvary in the early 1990s to minister to military dependents in Hanau, Germany. A few years later, I moved there as a young, pissed off, and desperately seeking acceptance, 16 year old. Thankfully, they were there and accepted me for who I was. Under their care I accepted Christ and was discipled.
A few years later, as a student at http://www.moody.edu I began attending Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, IL. Unbeknownst to me, this was the same church that had sent out the missionaries that befriended me and led me to the Lord. Kristen and I joined there, grew there, served there, and I interned there. In a supreme irony Kristen and I took a seat on the same mission board who sent Dan & Barb out in the first place. I served the youth group who discipled the woman who discipled me.
I was excited to read that sermon. As I read it I felt like I must respond. I’ve never sent an e-mail to Ray and even though I was on staff there, we were never close. So last week I sent an e-mail to encourage him that his sermon in 1989 changed my life indirectly. I let him know that through God’s awesome vision, he had actually been a key part of bringing me to the Lord.
So, yesterday I got a nice response from Ray.
Adam,
Thanks for your note. It came at just the right time. This is World Focus Week at Calvary and it’s good to be reminded of why this week matters so much. I preached that message in May 1989, eventually Dan and Barb got married and headed for the mission field. Along the way they helped disciple you and you served on the Missions Committee. And now you are on the staff at FBC, Romeo. Thanks for reminding me (and the staff and elders because I forwarded your message to them because I know what you wrote will encourage them too) about why we do what we do.
God’s best to you always. Thanks for taking the time to write. You put a smile on my face.
Ray
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