Friday night I had a very special honor conferred upon me. First Baptist Snellville was hosting a banquet for their graduating seniors, and each had been given the opportunity to invite those who had been an important spiritual influence in their lives. Each one that had grown up at the church had named me, their old children's pastor. When the invitation had come to me a week before, I was amazed and humbled. I have been gone from Snellville for almost 7 years, and they still remembered the impact I had made in their lives, and wanted me there for their special night. And what a special night it was! Some I recognized, others had to jog my memory a little, but all remembered me. One after the other came to me, recounting memories of their years in my children's ministry, sharing laughs and smiles together, and thanking me for leading them to love God and live for Him. Many came to know Christ while in the children's ministry, I baptized most of them, saw them begin to grow in their walks with Christ. Ansley my oldest daughter came with me, and many remembered her as a child there too. I saw parents, old Sunday School teachers, former staff members, even graduates from previous years who came back for the night as well. They publicly recognized me, I was in the slide show, and even got to pray over a group of them as the night ended.
To be remembered like that, and after so many years, was an indescribable experience for me. I was so honored to be there, and honored to have been used by our Father to help shape their lives for Him. I don't do what I do for any earthly recognition or reward, but that night blessed me beyond measure. I hope to continue to live my life and minister in Christ's name, and experience events like this for the rest of my years- and one day, hear my Father say, "Well done."
"I thank my God in my every rememberance of you,..." Philippians 1:3
Rob