Call the Pastor

                Did God ever put you in a place where you never thought you’d be? He did that for me four years ago when he sent me to a new church being planted by our north campus church. My husband and I and several other couples became the unwitting church leadership. There we were—people who had never quite done anything like planting a church, let alone planting a bi-lingual church!

            Our pastors? A young Hispanic couple, new at this themselves. So we all began. Sometimes things were bumpy. Sometimes things didn’t go well at all. Sometimes I wondered how this idea was going to work out. Did they ever wonder the same thing?

            If our pastoral couple ever wanted to give up, if they ever got discouraged, if they ever had had enough, I don’t remember it. They just kept going—leading, planning, teaching the Word, reaching out to people. They served faithfully every Sunday. There were hard times. Some people left, families faced severe tragedies and hardships, and their own family faced strain and challenges, but the couple kept caring and sharing God’s love. And people followed them because they were following Christ.

Pastors Javier and Annette Mondragon and their sons

              I am grateful to them for many things—their vision to start this work, their perseverance, their love for their people, and their patience with all of us. Recently I made a call and learned that a woman who had visited the church had an immediate need. I didn’t know what we could do, but I “called the pastor.” Isn’t that what we do? I felt guilty passing the need up with such short notice, but he took it in stride, had an idea, and said he would check back with her. Wow! Just like that, I thought. That’s amazing!

            Maybe that’s what pastors do, but to me when I think of all I know ours do—and I’m sure there’s more that they do that I don’t know about—I am grateful. We should be. It takes people empowered by God to minister to a congregation. A flock of sheep is not easy to lead and direct, and the chances for all kinds of problems and difficulties are rife because the Church has an Enemy.

            But by showing our gratitude and encouraging our leadership, we support them in the work God has called them to do. When you are working hard, how do you feel when you are recognized for your effort? Good, I imagine. The comments no doubt make you want to do even better, go even farther. Can it be any different for our pastors? Who are those in your life now or in the past who have been instrumental in your spiritual life? Have you thanked them? Consider doing that today.

            Thank you Javier and Annette Mondragon for the blessing you have been in my life!