Congratulations to Stone Church in celebratation of a rich and vibrant past and a bright and challenging future.
My ministry is deeply rooted in the heritage of this great congregation and my passion for the gospel was forged in the profoundly spiritual flames of the hearts of our people. From times of sharing a hidden bottle of Coke in the furnace room with Arthur Oakman to pushing pre-schoolers on the swings at the playground, I came to know the cracks and crevices of Stone Church intimately.
I came from the Ozark hills to the big city as a young adult looking for work. Richard Hettrick challenged me to join the Center Stake Peace Corp and to stay a year with the Mesles—my mentor and inspiration in many ways. I met the love of my life in Independence and my wife, Lynn and I came to the Stone Church as young adults. Our daughter, Kelly, was born while we were serving as Associate Pastor and our son, Kyle was born while we served as Pastor. The Stone Church nurtured us, sustained us, formed us as a family, and set us on a path of discipleship which has been a true adventure in faith.
My familiarity with the baptismal fount in Luff Auditorium was the forerunner of baptisms in swimming pools in Taiwan, Sri Lanka rivers where we chased the alligators away, and Kim Chi pots in Korea (one reason why we are building a church here!—we need a baptismal fount.)
The primary church, Zioneer group and other youth activities of our days in Stone Church laid a solid foundation for the creation of bible study groups on college campuses in China, a handbell choir in Korea, youth activities and more.
The Sunday school classes and priesthood meetings all gave me solid footing for ministry in rural China, leadership development in Korea, teaching in Japan and Sri Lanka and India and Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The role of group pastor during the ‘70’s prepared me for pastoral ministry on tea plantations in South India, village visiting in rural China, hospital ministry in Korea, and hospitality everywhere.
The point is this: Stone Church celebrates, not just a presence in the Independence community of brick and mortar, but a living, vibrant presence of God’s love and power and presence through-out the world. The Stone church symbolizes the witness of Christ ALIVE! God’s Spirit moving in great waves across the global fields ready for harvest. The Stone Church is both the foundation and spire for a continuing call to ministry in our world.
I was very young when I served the Stone Church as Pastor. The congregation overlooked my inexperience, forgave my mistakes and challenged me and prepared me for a lifetime of ministry. And although I am having face the realities of the body growing old, the heart is still young, my faith is stronger than ever and my joy in service grows daily. My story is the story of countless who came before and after. Stone Church affects lives. Changes people, Forges dedicated response, Sends witness abroad. Brings faith home.
My ministry is deeply rooted in the heritage of this great congregation and my passion for the gospel was forged in the profoundly spiritual flames of the hearts of our people. From times of sharing a hidden bottle of Coke in the furnace room with Arthur Oakman to pushing pre-schoolers on the swings at the playground, I came to know the cracks and crevices of Stone Church intimately.
I came from the Ozark hills to the big city as a young adult looking for work. Richard Hettrick challenged me to join the Center Stake Peace Corp and to stay a year with the Mesles—my mentor and inspiration in many ways. I met the love of my life in Independence and my wife, Lynn and I came to the Stone Church as young adults. Our daughter, Kelly, was born while we were serving as Associate Pastor and our son, Kyle was born while we served as Pastor. The Stone Church nurtured us, sustained us, formed us as a family, and set us on a path of discipleship which has been a true adventure in faith.
My familiarity with the baptismal fount in Luff Auditorium was the forerunner of baptisms in swimming pools in Taiwan, Sri Lanka rivers where we chased the alligators away, and Kim Chi pots in Korea (one reason why we are building a church here!—we need a baptismal fount.)
The primary church, Zioneer group and other youth activities of our days in Stone Church laid a solid foundation for the creation of bible study groups on college campuses in China, a handbell choir in Korea, youth activities and more.
The Sunday school classes and priesthood meetings all gave me solid footing for ministry in rural China, leadership development in Korea, teaching in Japan and Sri Lanka and India and Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The role of group pastor during the ‘70’s prepared me for pastoral ministry on tea plantations in South India, village visiting in rural China, hospital ministry in Korea, and hospitality everywhere.
The point is this: Stone Church celebrates, not just a presence in the Independence community of brick and mortar, but a living, vibrant presence of God’s love and power and presence through-out the world. The Stone church symbolizes the witness of Christ ALIVE! God’s Spirit moving in great waves across the global fields ready for harvest. The Stone Church is both the foundation and spire for a continuing call to ministry in our world.
I was very young when I served the Stone Church as Pastor. The congregation overlooked my inexperience, forgave my mistakes and challenged me and prepared me for a lifetime of ministry. And although I am having face the realities of the body growing old, the heart is still young, my faith is stronger than ever and my joy in service grows daily. My story is the story of countless who came before and after. Stone Church affects lives. Changes people, Forges dedicated response, Sends witness abroad. Brings faith home.
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