Preacher Appreciation Day!

I don’t generally pay any attention to the special days on the calendar. However, I was studying my calendar the other day (I wonder why…? =D) when I noticed “Clergy Appreciation Day.” Okay, the word “clergy” sounds Catholic, so I’m changing it to “Preacher Appreciation Day.” It’s sad when we have to make special days to remember people and their important offices. Would to God we were always thankful people and didn’t need to be reminded of these things! So, anyway…I just wanted to write a post and praise the Lord for the great preachers He has put in my life.

As a little girl and teenager, Pastor Bruce Craig was my pastor. I’m thankful for him and all he has meant to our family. I remember a time years ago when my dad was on deputation, leaving us children at home with Mom (her bad health made traveling very difficult). I had a tooth that was loose and simply refusing to fall out, but I was afraid to do anything about it, and Mom was too grossed out to help me pull it. Finally one day my mom brought me into Pastor Craig’s office and asked for help. After having a look and assuring me everything would be fine, he popped it out of my unsuspecting mouth with one smooth motion. Gone! Not only was Pastor Craig good at preaching, but he also made quite an excellent under-cover dentist for a distressed little girl with a stubborn tooth. We never did find it! (chuckle)

Mrs. Craig went to be with the Lord in 2006, which changed a good many things. Though I have childhood memories of her being quite stern when the children were running around or playing behind the pulpit (praise God for that!), Mrs. Craig was such a dear lady. I now look back and understand her much better from an adult perspective. I’m even privileged to have some books she gave me on my bookshelves. I look forward to giving Mrs. Craig a big hug when I get Home! Her testimony has always been a blessing to me, because it is so similar to mine. I believe she never was sure exactly when she got saved, but she told everyone she knew she was because of 1 John 3:14--“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” One thing was sure--Mrs. Craig loved her church! They say that behind every good man is a good woman. In the case of Pastor and Mrs. Craig this was very true! I am so thankful for the influence they have had on my family and in my life.

For the last 14 years, since we left for the mission field, my dad has been my pastor. It has been a blessing to experience Christian pioneering as my parents left everything familiar and comfortable to go to Holland, breaking a fresh trail on hard, rocky soil to reach a barren mission field with the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has been no small feat, and for this my parents have my undying devotion. Have you ever wondered how a path is formed through dense forests or unending prairie lands? A single man or woman makes a hard decision, having two choices--to take the well-trodden path of least resistance or break to new ground destined for better things and greater achievements. Those who have similar courage follow behind these brave souls! This is how great things are accomplished for God! Maybe…one day, the Lord will see fit to give me this great privilege of breaking spiritual ground as well!

I love being a missionary-pastor’s daughter! It has been the greatest blessing in the world to be raised in the home of a preacher, daily saturated in God’s Word. My dad is such an inspiration to me as I see him walking the daily Christian life. We have had people leave our church because they felt Dad was hypocritical (who isn’t???) or they didn’t agree with his Bible stand and instead of approaching him about it, chose to get angry and spread hate. Sure! Dad makes mistakes, because he’s human. But from everything I have witnessed first-hand, my dad is a godly man and the stands he takes aren’t easy. When going against the grain you can expect plenty of splinters! Dad preaches Bible and he preaches hard, but when dealing with people on a one-to-one basis his kind words cannot be resisted by anyone who is walking with God. I know from experience how true this is. My dad is one of the most godly, kind, gracious men I know. I’m proud to call him my daddy and my pastor! I love you, Dad! =)

In about 6 months I’m going to have a new preacher! I’m looking forward to becoming a member of Truth Baptist Church and having Pastor Buddy Maynard as my shepherd. In April 2008 our church got to hear Bro. Buddy preach for the first time, and I’ll never forget what a blessing it was, especially since we don’t get too many special speakers in from the States. It was refreshing to hear someone backing up what Dad has been preaching all along! I love that old-fashioned, squirm-in-your-seat kind of preaching, which is something that many churches have lost with compromise. I haven’t gotten to hear too much of Bro. Buddy’s preaching as of yet, but I know that he has one fine son, who is also a preacher, and that says a lot. I’m so thankful that this missionary-preacher’s daughter is going to be marrying a preacher’s son. Russell is a good preacher…my very own “preacher boy.” (I always thought that was a cute term and wanted to use it to one day describe my best friend in the whole wide world. I always wanted to marry a preacher!)

I would also like to mention that names of Youth Pastor Jim Krohn, for his influence in my life as a teen during visits to the States, and Pastor S. M. Davis, for his detailed preaching on courtship and the strong stand he takes on the Christian home, marriage, and the family. His online sermons have had a tremendous impact on our family. I am also thinking of Pastor & Mrs. Jim Green in Charlevoix, MI. I don’t know Mrs. Green very well personally, but my brief encounters with her have left my heart warmed by the sweet presence of God’s spirit surrounding her. I could continue listing off the names of so many preachers and preachers’ wives who have touched my life. I just want to say how thankful I am to these precious people and the Lord for all His goodness! May they continue to stand strong for the Lord Jesus and not succumb to compromise with this world!

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10