Pastor Appreciation

Last night our church blessed us with "Pastor Appreciation".  It was a very special night with a "mystery speaker".  JR and I tried to guess different people whom we thought might be the mystery person....all wrong.  When we arrived at church we were surprised to see Sam & Edna Mast from S.C. there.  After chatting for a bit, it dawned on us that he was our "mystery speaker".  What a surprise!  He is the overseer of the south region of the BMA churches.  What made it even more special for us is that he used to be JR's pastor when he was a young boy in Pa., so memories for them go way back. 

Randy did a great job of moderating the service with tips on how to pray for your pastors, and had a few comical jokes to share with us all (about pastors, of course! ha).  After some special singing (which was so meaningful), Sam spoke to us from a former pastor's perspective.  He has a great way of communicating and reminded us of ways that we can make a pastor's responsibilities easier.  He also shared how he still remembers how his kids hated to be known as P.K.'s and reminded us of the importance of letting pastors families be normal families. I appreciated that because we are just a 'normal family'  and really appreciate how our church lets us be that.  There really is no greater joy for a pastor than to know that the people walk in truth and get along in Christian unity and brotherhood.

After an open mic for sharing we enjoyed an elaborate meal of grilled chicken, noodles, dishes and dishes or delicate salads and a table FULL of desserts, which included each pastor's favorite dessert.  Fall decorations and candles adorned each table and each pastor left with a basket of cards and gifts.

If you belong to a church that doesn't celebrate pastors' appreciation in the month of October, I encourage you to be the one who starts it.  While pastors feel so unworthy of being the center of celebration, it is such an encouragement, too.

May God bless each one at Palm Grove who blessed us so greatly!  We love you all. 

 To God be all the Glory!