Yesterday we began our 32nd year of serving the Lord in the pastorate, PTL! It was on May 25, 1977, that we drove our Pontiac LeMans ('72) with boxes of book, wedding gifts, and one chair (the only furniture we had!!) behind us out to Newell, Iowa. Bob had just graduated from Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana, and we were on our our way to our first pastorate!
As we drove into Newell, (it was a beautiful warm afternoon) we saw Dale Christiansen (one of the men from our church) next to the road with a load of soybeans that had overturned into the ditch! The sights and smells of the farm were something that we city kids didn't know much about!
We stopped in Newell and used a pay phone booth right on the corner of the tiny one-block town of Newell to call Harold Jorgenson (one of the decons) to tell him we had arrived. The police chief, who attended Bethel, was driving around, and spotted us, and stopped. He gave us a warm welcome as he took us into the jail before we went out to Harold's home for dinner as he gave us directions to their home. What a way to start out as pastor!
We served 7 years in Newell, and then God called us to Manton, Michigan, where we have been for the past 25 years.
It was the start of a great adventure of faith that May day, and one we are still enjoying, thanks to the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Our little "PK's" (preacher's kids) were all born in Newell, and mainly grew up in Manton. What a joy it is to see them "walking in the truth" and serving the Lord. It was through the love, kindness and godly examples of so many from both churches that have made them love God's people so much!
We love you all so much...thank you for loving us, taking such great care of us, and supporting us all these many years in ministry.
To God Be The Glory, Great Things He Has Done!"
As we drove into Newell, (it was a beautiful warm afternoon) we saw Dale Christiansen (one of the men from our church) next to the road with a load of soybeans that had overturned into the ditch! The sights and smells of the farm were something that we city kids didn't know much about!
We stopped in Newell and used a pay phone booth right on the corner of the tiny one-block town of Newell to call Harold Jorgenson (one of the decons) to tell him we had arrived. The police chief, who attended Bethel, was driving around, and spotted us, and stopped. He gave us a warm welcome as he took us into the jail before we went out to Harold's home for dinner as he gave us directions to their home. What a way to start out as pastor!
We served 7 years in Newell, and then God called us to Manton, Michigan, where we have been for the past 25 years.
It was the start of a great adventure of faith that May day, and one we are still enjoying, thanks to the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Our little "PK's" (preacher's kids) were all born in Newell, and mainly grew up in Manton. What a joy it is to see them "walking in the truth" and serving the Lord. It was through the love, kindness and godly examples of so many from both churches that have made them love God's people so much!
We love you all so much...thank you for loving us, taking such great care of us, and supporting us all these many years in ministry.
To God Be The Glory, Great Things He Has Done!"
1 comment:
WOW...Praising Him that your travels brought you here so that we could begin a beautiful lasting friendship.
Congrats on 32 years!
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