January 2023 the pastor who significantly formed and shaped my life passed away after 94 years of life.
His name? Pastor O.L. Hart.
Pastor Hart served as the pastor of the Sale Creek Church of God through most of my formative years. This is the church where I came to know Jesus and was filled with the Holy Spirit. It was the church where I met my wife. I met her when she was only 8 and I was only 10.
When he passed, it had been decades since I had spoken with Pastor Hart. But he was never far from my mind. In fact, it’s probably because of him that I’ve spent all of my adult life in ministry.
Here’s the story.
As a 19-year-old married kid, I was serving as a part-time student pastor at Dividing Ridge Church of God, while also working part-time for my Dad’s HVAC Service Co. I was even considering taking a job doing janitorial work at a school when Pastor Hart called and asked me to come to Dyersburg, Tennessee and speak for him. He also let me know that he was scheduling speaking engagements for me at five to seven other churches on his “district” — (a group of churches in our denomination he oversaw).
I told Pastor Hart that I’d need to check with my Dad to make certain I could get off. He very matter-of-factly let me know that he had already talked with Dad and that I could and would come. (I was going to West Tennessee whether I wanted to or not.)
Sometime later, Janet and I traveled to West Tennessee, speaking for Pastor Hart at Dyersburg Church of God and several churches he oversaw. Incredibly, after every speaking engagement, the pastor of that church asked me to come back and lead a series of services at the church.
I thought to myself, “Wow! I must be pretty good. All of these pastors have asked me to come back.”
It was only later that I discovered that Pastor Hart had personally spoken to each pastor on his district. He let them know that he believed in me and that he would appreciate it if they would have me minister in their church. Further, he told them that if they did conduct a meeting with me and it didn’t meet their expectations, he would personally reimburse them for any expenses they incurred or offerings they received.
Boom!
Pastor Hart’s reputation had opened those doors.
His commitment had provided those opportunities.
His persistence had been used by God to propel me into my future.
After completing that series of meetings, I spent the next five years, with Janet by my side, preaching approximately 250-300 services a year as a full-time itinerant speaker. We then went on to serve 35 years as pastors (associate and lead pastor positions). I now lead an organization called BLDR: Building marriages, teams, people, and dreams. Janet and I conduct speaking engagements and marriage conferences across the U.S. We just recorded a marriage curriculum for ISOW Bible College that will be released in the next couple of months. And, I’m wrapping up work on two books that will be released later this year.
But…
But…
But… I’m regularly overwhelmed by this reality…
MY STORY isn’t a story of incredible creativity, innovation, leadership skills, or dynamic ability on my part. It’s the story of a gracious GOD who chose to use a broken, messed-up, thoroughly jacked-up guy like me.
And, it’s the story of PEOPLE — PEOPLE who loved me despite myself.
People who believed in me notwithstanding my pride.
People who championed me when there was only a hint of promise or potential.
People who could see God at work despite my clumsy efforts.
People who persevered with me giving me a second, third, fourth, and 147th chance.
People who lovingly provided correction and guidance when I desperately needed it.
People who refused to walk or run away when it would have made their lives so much easier and simpler.
People who opened doors for me that I could have never opened for myself.
People who shared platforms with me born out of the blood, sweat, tears, and prayers of their faithfulness.
People who overlooked the quirkiness of a kid who sometimes dressed weird, talked weird, and listened to weird music. And, instead chose to see a kid who passionately, though imperfectly, wanted Jesus to lead his life.
People who possessed an abundance mindset, not a poverty mentality. They were convinced that investing in and blessing someone like me didn’t decrease their slice of the pie. In God’s math, it actually increased it!
People who never made the headlines because of some failure or flaw or infidelity. They just faithfully lived their faith, loved Jesus, and led their flock — including messed-up, stubborn, and difficult sheep like me — for decades.
Oh, yes! Others besides Pastor Hart make that list. I won’t attempt to list them here. I’ll simply close with this reminder from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 in The Passion Translation.
“Dear brothers and sisters, make sure that you show your deep appreciation for those who cherish you and diligently work as ministers among you. For they are your leaders who care for you, teach you, and stand before the Lord on your behalf. 13 They value you with great love. Because of their service to you, let peace reign among yourselves.” —1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 TPT
Unfortunately, I’m not sure I ever got to personally thank Pastor Hart for his investment in me.
That’s my failure and my loss.
But I still have time and opportunity to thank others.
Maybe you do, too.
Today is as good a day as any to reach out to the “unsung heroes” in our faith journeys.
Let’s “show [them our] deep appreciation…”
Let’s honor their life of love.
Even more, let’s live to do the SAME THING for someone God has placed in our relational world.