Looking Back To Look Ahead

This past Sunday we heard how we are to be disciples of Christ who are engaged in making disciples for Christ. As I considered the implications of such a statement I began to reflect on my life. My thoughts were drawn to those who discipled me.

The first person I thought of was Art Burlingame. He was a faithful Sunday school teacher at the First Baptist Church of Spartanburg, Pa. He stopped at our home one day. He asked my mother if he could pick any of us up to take to church, at that time there were six of us kids, who wanted to go to Sunday school and church. She told him, “Yes.”

My journey into Christianity began with me attending Art’s Sunday school class for boys. He became a role model for me. I wanted what he and the other men in the church had. By attending outings, parties, picnics, etc. with him and the class I knew there was something missing in my life. It still amazes me how he raised his family, worked in a factory, and still did all the things he did with his Sunday school class. Looking back I wonder if it was right there at the beginning where I gained a love for teaching and for Sunday school.

The next person who influenced me was the pastor of the church, Rev. Carter. He faithfully preached the Word every Sunday. One Sunday I couldn’t leave the church without talking with him. I waited and waited for him to finish talking with others. Then I rushed up to him and told him I had to talk with him about being saved. He said, “Jim, why didn’t you say something sooner? I didn’t have to talk with all those people.” Then he introduced me to Christ. I believe that right there at the start I gained a love for the preaching of the Word.

We moved between my sophomore year and my junior year in high school. As a result, I began attending Calvary Baptist Church of Meadville, Pa. There I became part of a youth group led by Dale and Audrey Adams. Dale was part owner of a gas pipeline construction company and the music leader at the church. Audrey was engaged in other work in the church as well as being a mother. Together they modeled Christianity before us and engaged us in the study of the Word. They also showed us that being a Christian is fun. We spent many evenings in their home.

Glenn and Nancy Webb came into my life as well as Reba’s in college. We dropped out and got married and the church we were attending called Glenn as the youth pastor. We helped them with the young people and developed a close relationship. Many of the things I learned by working with them still influence me today.

As we worked with the young people I believed God was calling me to be a pastor. So we moved to Ankeny, Iowa in order to attend college. We began attending Urbandale Baptist Church & Pastor Stan Mohr mentored us. The relationship we developed with him has been lasting. He preached at my ordination. His expository preaching and joy in the face of difficulties have had a deep and lasting influence on me.

Now I need to paraphrase Hebrews 11:32, “And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Robert Webber, John Sale, David Sunday, and all the elders at Grace Community Bible Church and New Covenant Bible Church.” By faith these men faithfully served God and richly and deeply shaped me. I consider it a privilege to have known them and to have been engaged in God’s work with them.

Sometimes people disciple you in ways you’re not expecting. I will never forget how God spoke to me through John Sale. On one occasion I was feeling down because God had not opened any opportunities for me to pastor a church. Pastor John came up to me and placed his hand on my shoulder and spoke these words, “Jim, you are a pastor. An elder is a pastor.” It was as if time had stopped and it felt as though the Spirit was speaking to me. I had never experienced anything like it before. It changed my whole perspective on what it means to be an elder. It all took place in just a moment of time.

I encourage you to take some time and evaluate your own life. Who has discipled you? How have they discipled you? What have you learned from them? Take some time to thank God for the faithful Christians who have ministered to you.

Then think about the future. Who in your life right now can you disciple? How can you disciple them? When can you do this? How can you reorganize your life to make it happen?

Remember, God calls us to be disciples of Christ who are making disciples for Christ.

Your elder,
Jim Gordon