Here are my words for the annual report:
(To see words from many of our leaders, financial reports, board nominees... pick up an Annual Report in the foyer)
Looking back at 2008, I am amazed at all that has taken place! My home has been transformed by a little angel from Ethiopia. My church has been transformed in the areas of hospitality, child-like faith, favor, integrity, living simply, loving generously, caring deeply, speaking kindly, commitment, focus, balance, strength, endurance, wisdom, but most of all truly leaving it all IN HIS HANDS!
I’m feeling a little nostalgic as we approach the 5 year mark as senior pastors of Rogue River Assembly of God. I feel proud of the purposeful traditions that have become expected in the life of our church. For instance, our Acts of Kindness Events truly have an impact on our community even around the world from the water bottles at Rooster Crow to the operation Christmas Child boxes. And, the commitment of coming together as THE BODY OF CHRIST across denominational lines with the Church in the Park, Baccalaureate, Easter Sunrise Service, etc. And our re-commitment to missions is growing with the faith promise program and missions conventions. Not to mention, our faithful support of Christian Life School…
But beyond our “doing,” I think our “being” is truly becoming ALL ABOUT LOVE! Our special guests say to me all the time, “your church is so loving, you got a good thing going here,” when I have the opportunity to share a meal after their ministry. That doesn’t come from any man-made program; that’s all about JESUS!
We have deeply felt the impact of our little city being a retirement community. This year alone we have buried two of the board members that hired me only five years ago. I miss Don Luker and George Hill every day! We have celebrated the lives of huge pillars of this church: Jerry Lyon, Herb Cassel, Ethel Brenhaug, Wilma McElmurry, Ruby Miller, Alice Heron... These Memorial Services are where our church has shined much love and hospitality! I desperately need to give Lorin and Jan Short praise for their unwavering commitment to our seniors! How we love you!
Saying Thanks doesn’t seem like a good enough expression to all the outstanding leadership that fills our pews! To my beautiful soul-mate, Holly, you and Jesus are my world! To my precious son, you brighten up every day! To all the West family here and in heaven, how can I not be faithful with such a great crowd of witnesses?! To Queen Mary, thanks for putting up with me! To Mrs. Shelli, you truly are making a difference in children’s lives! To Linda and Frank Accardo, your faithfulness blesses our families! To Grandma Max, your prayer chain rattles the gates of heaven and hell! To Phyllis Hill, you truly are my spiritual hero! To Kat Luker, your grace amazes me! To Tom and Ruth Vallo, what an amazing gift from heaven you are to us! To Buzz and Maureen Bozeman, your greeting is just like a hug from Jesus! To George and Laura Hunt, this church would have fallen apart a long time ago if it wasn’t for your genius! To Edith and Richard Hoggard, thank you for listening to the Holy Spirit! To Kathy Quinones, you make our church look good! To Melisma Ramos, your friendship and faithfulness is making a difference for the Kingdom of God! To Bo and Cindy Dara, you make church FUN! To Cliff and Trudi Leidecker, your contributions do not go unnoticed, there’s a whole lot of treasure piled up in heaven! To Bob and June Robertson, you make our whole church smile! To Walt Heron, your leadership through the valley of the shadow of death inspires HOPE! Although this list reflects those leading a ministry, all those behind the scenes deserve high praise. I only just scratched the surface of all the faithful heroes of Rogue River Assembly of God!
With overflowing blessing and abundant Life,
Reverend Paul B. West
I’m feeling a little nostalgic as we approach the 5 year mark as senior pastors of Rogue River Assembly of God. I feel proud of the purposeful traditions that have become expected in the life of our church. For instance, our Acts of Kindness Events truly have an impact on our community even around the world from the water bottles at Rooster Crow to the operation Christmas Child boxes. And, the commitment of coming together as THE BODY OF CHRIST across denominational lines with the Church in the Park, Baccalaureate, Easter Sunrise Service, etc. And our re-commitment to missions is growing with the faith promise program and missions conventions. Not to mention, our faithful support of Christian Life School…
But beyond our “doing,” I think our “being” is truly becoming ALL ABOUT LOVE! Our special guests say to me all the time, “your church is so loving, you got a good thing going here,” when I have the opportunity to share a meal after their ministry. That doesn’t come from any man-made program; that’s all about JESUS!
We have deeply felt the impact of our little city being a retirement community. This year alone we have buried two of the board members that hired me only five years ago. I miss Don Luker and George Hill every day! We have celebrated the lives of huge pillars of this church: Jerry Lyon, Herb Cassel, Ethel Brenhaug, Wilma McElmurry, Ruby Miller, Alice Heron... These Memorial Services are where our church has shined much love and hospitality! I desperately need to give Lorin and Jan Short praise for their unwavering commitment to our seniors! How we love you!
Saying Thanks doesn’t seem like a good enough expression to all the outstanding leadership that fills our pews! To my beautiful soul-mate, Holly, you and Jesus are my world! To my precious son, you brighten up every day! To all the West family here and in heaven, how can I not be faithful with such a great crowd of witnesses?! To Queen Mary, thanks for putting up with me! To Mrs. Shelli, you truly are making a difference in children’s lives! To Linda and Frank Accardo, your faithfulness blesses our families! To Grandma Max, your prayer chain rattles the gates of heaven and hell! To Phyllis Hill, you truly are my spiritual hero! To Kat Luker, your grace amazes me! To Tom and Ruth Vallo, what an amazing gift from heaven you are to us! To Buzz and Maureen Bozeman, your greeting is just like a hug from Jesus! To George and Laura Hunt, this church would have fallen apart a long time ago if it wasn’t for your genius! To Edith and Richard Hoggard, thank you for listening to the Holy Spirit! To Kathy Quinones, you make our church look good! To Melisma Ramos, your friendship and faithfulness is making a difference for the Kingdom of God! To Bo and Cindy Dara, you make church FUN! To Cliff and Trudi Leidecker, your contributions do not go unnoticed, there’s a whole lot of treasure piled up in heaven! To Bob and June Robertson, you make our whole church smile! To Walt Heron, your leadership through the valley of the shadow of death inspires HOPE! Although this list reflects those leading a ministry, all those behind the scenes deserve high praise. I only just scratched the surface of all the faithful heroes of Rogue River Assembly of God!
With overflowing blessing and abundant Life,
Reverend Paul B. West
No comments:
Post a Comment