30 Days of Thanks, Day 15: Brighter

Victory Tabernacle is celebrating the 39th Pastoral Anniversary of Pastor and Sister White today.  We won't be able to do nearly as much as we have in the past with all the COVID restrictions, but they are worthy of double honor!

Pastor and Sister White make this world a brighter place.  They are kind and loving.  They are hard workers.  They have stepped up to the challenges of 2020 to keep our church family united. In the more than 29 years that Pastor White has been my pastor, I have never gone hungry spiritually.  He always brings a spiritual feast to the table.

During my early twenties as I waited for God to bring Mr. Right into my life, I started praying not only for my future husband, but for his pastor as well. I changed my list of things I wanted in a man to include "must belong to a good church" and even included a list of pastors that I felt I would be safe in their churches. When I met Les, and saw a future with him, I knew I was going to be in safe hands with Pastor White as my pastor - he was one of the pastors on my "list!"

One of the greatest things that Sis. White has done for our church is in developing musicians. When I married Les and became part of Victory Tabernacle, Sis. White was our only organist, with no one playing the piano/keyboard. It wasn't until Pastor and Sis. White were gone one Sunday that I realized how much we needed help. At that point, with much encouragement from Les, I secretly began taking Class Piano at our local community college. At some point, Sis. White got wind of this and said it was time for me to start playing in church!! Oh My!!! I certainly wasn't ready (sometimes I still feel unready) but she said Do It!! In time, I began playing loudly enough that people could actually hear me. But Sis. White didn't stop with me. She has repeatedly pushed, prodded, and thrown musicians into the waters of playing. We now have many talented, capable musicians and it is thanks to her vision.

 

I am so thankful for these two great people of God.  They make my world brighter!

Pastor Appreciation ~ Grandpa and Grandma McElhaney

I decided to finish my Pastor Appreciation Week with a post about Grandpa and Grandma McElhaney. When they received the revelation of this marvelous truth, they embraced it and passed it on. They left a great heritage to many generations.

In the fall of 1933 Grandpa and Grandma first came into contact with the Apostolic message. Grandpa was the first to be baptized in Jesus' name, while Grandma resisted. Finally, one cold night, the winter of 1935, she jumped up at the end of the service and said she wanted to be baptized. There was two feet of snow on the ground. It was so cold and ice in the tank had to be broken to baptize her. She had brought no change of clothing and had to walk almost two miles home in her wet clothes. By the time she got home her clothing was frozen on her. Shortly after that she received the Holy Ghost and the following summer, Grandpa received the Holy Ghost at home.

Grandpa founded a church in New Castle, Indiana in 1936 and pastored from 1936-1950. There is still a Jesus name church in that city today! Pictured below is the congregation in about 1945. Grandpa had a weekly radio broadcast and held street meetings on Saturday nights.


Both of Les' grandparents were licensed Pentecostal ministers before the formation of the United Pentecostal Church International in 1945. The organization was created by the merger of the Pentecostal Church Incorporated and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ. Grandma Marie belonged to one of the organizations and Grandpa Earl belonged to the other!

Grandpa died in 1989, the same year Les and I met, so I was not privileged to know him. I met Grandma Marie on a couple of occasions and although her body was failing, her mind was still sharp and she loved being surrounded by her family. At her funeral, her grandson Allen told quite a story. Grandma was part of the church when Allen became the pastor in Panama City, FL. From that time forward, she always addressed him as Bro. Crabtree, showing respect to his role as her pastor.

Grandpa and Grandma moved to Panama City, Florida in 1950. They returned to Indiana for about a year in 1953, then pastored in Florida until his retirement in 1972. A large, loud, loving extended family gathers in Florida each Thanksgiving. Descendants of Earl and Marie McElhaney, many involved in the ministry and still loving the truth that these two embraced so long ago.

Pastor Appreciation ~ Pastor Richard McGriffin

My acquaintance with Pastor McGriffin (AKA Pastor Mac) is the most recent.  January 2013 found us moving "temporarily" to Hawaii.  What we thought would be a six month stay has turned in to almost five years of part time Hawaiian living.   As I mentioned on Sunday, with Pastor White's assistance we found New Life Pentecostal and Pastor and Sis. Mac.

I realized never shared about how Les first "met" Pastor Mac via telephone.  Pastor White had called and talked to Pastor Mac, then told Les to give him a call.  It was the Monday night before we would go to Hawaii on Friday in January 2013.  Les called Pastor Mac and after a brief greeting, Pastor Mac said he would need to call Les back.  Les could hear a lot of noise in the background and thought he must have been in a restaurant.  A few minutes later Les' phone rang.  On the other end a voice said, "Is this Les McElhaney?  Do you know who this is?"  To make a long story short, it was Pastor Ron Becton from Nashville, Tennessee.  Bro. and Sis. Becton (Les' former youth leader) were in Hawaii for a marriage retreat and were having dinner with the McGriffins that night!  Bro. Becton's confidence in, and friendship with, Pastor Mac was that final piece of peace we needed.

Pastor Mac faces some unique challenges in pastoring in Hawaii.  Many people are only there for vacation, they aren't interested in putting down roots and investing in a church.  Many people who live there are in the military, which means they move after just a few years.  We've seen a lot of people come and go in these past five years.  It can't be easy pastoring sheep who don't stay in the same pasture for long, but Pastor Mac loves everyone who comes to NLP, no matter how long or how short their stay.  He teaches and preaches with the same passion no matter how many are missing.

We don't go hungry spiritually when we are in Hawaii.  I am so thankful that this couple is in our lives.  We're blessed to know them!

Pastor Appreciation ~ Pastor Philip White

I knew of Bro. White long before he became my pastor. He was the Youth President in the Western District and I had heard him preach at various camps and conferences. He also preached a revival in Fresno before he pastored in Burbank.

During my early twenties as I waited for God to bring Mr. Right into my life, I started praying not only for my future husband, but for his pastor as well. I changed my list of things I wanted in a man to include "must belong to a good church" and even included a list of pastors that I felt I would be safe in their churches. When I met Les, and saw a future with him, I knew I was going to be in safe hands with Pastor White as my pastor - he was one of the pastors on my "list!"

When Les and I were going to buy our first house (we lived in a townhouse for almost 10 years), things were moving very quickly. On a Thursday in January 2001, we set up an appointment to meet with Pastor White for his counsel. The appointment was for the following Monday. From Thursday to Monday, our offer on the house had been accepted, and we had an offer on our townhouse. Well that was kinda scary to us. But Pastor White gave us wisdom that I will never forget. He said, "sometimes when God is in it, He makes things move very quickly." His assurance brought peace to my troubled mind.

For over 26 years, I have been pastored by Pastor White and I truly love, admire, and respect him. His wisdom is amazing, his preaching anointed, and his burden for the work of God far reaching. Pastor and Sister White have been there for us through funerals and surgeries, but they have also rejoiced in our times of blessing. They are great people of God.

Pastor Appreciation ~ Pastor Vaughn Morton

Bro. Morton became the pastor of Truth Tabernacle in November, 1972. I was 8 1/2 years old and still on the shy side. He says I didn't speak to him for the first 5 years he was pastor! While I don't know for sure, I wouldn't be surprised if that wasn't pretty close the truth.

I remember many times when Bro. Morton would come to our home to pray for Rod. It didn't matter, night or day, if Mom called, he came. I also remember when Rod broke his femur and was in a body cast. Naturally, everyone who came to visit signed his cast. Not Bro. Morton! He signed Rod's leg - "just to make sure your momma's washing you!"

Memories too numerous to recount come to mind, but my world changed completely when Bro. Morton asked me to work in the church office. I was a junior in high school, attending Truth Tabernacle Christian School in its first year of existence. I started working part time in the afternoons instead of taking electives, then worked full time in the summer. I had no idea I would end up working there for ten years. How can I even describe the impact those years made in my life? His constant encouragement and kind words when I did something right helped me come out of my shy shell. What fun I had WORKING! The many times he would jump from around some corner ("only the guilty jump"), the notes on my calendar, the smiley faces in red ink, on and on those memories go.

There were words of wisdom and encouragement when I was down. One particular day comes to mind - I had just walked into the church lobby from the Christian school and Bro. Morton met me there. He took me inside the sanctuary and told me he was proud of me, among many other things. He always seemed to know what I needed to hear. Another day he gave me a scripture that became a promise, "sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall" (Ruth 3:18).

I'm so thankful that Elder Morton is still in my life, he is very dear to my heart, and I love him so much. I called him last week after I received his book.  He is no longer pastoring, but he is as busy as ever being a blessing to the kingdom of God everywhere he goes.

Pastor Appreciation ~ Pastor Murray Layne

Bro. Layne was Mom's pastor at the time of my birth.  It was Bro. Layne who grounded Mom in the truth. I naturally don't remember any of those details, but I do remember being a child and being very aware of Bro. Layne as the man of God in our church. It was during his 19 years of dedication and service that many decisions were made that put Truth Tabernacle on a sure path. Truth was preached, property was purchased, buildings were built, a bus ministry was started, and a great revival of "hippies" took place under his leadership.

I remember services in what is now the school cafeteria at Truth Tabernacle. We had hard benches and no carpet on the floor, but God moved in mighty ways. Bro. Layne baptized me in the old baptistry in the back of that building on January 11, 1971. I can picture that night as if it happened yesterday. What a privilege to be baptized in the lovely name of Jesus by my pastor!

I also remember building the "big church", which is now the prayer room/school chapel. I can still see that day when we broke ground out on the corner of First and Holland. What an exciting time of anticipation!

I'll also never forget when Bro. Layne announced to the church that God was calling him to another city. I was only eight years old at the time and didn't fully understand the implications, but I remember Mom saying, "How will I ever love another pastor like I love Bro. Layne and his family?" Thankfully God had just the right person in mind to pastor Truth Tabernacle, but the Layne family has always held a special place in my heart.

I remember seeing Bro. and Sis. Layne through the years, and as I got older they just grew dearer and dearer to me. They have both gone on to be with the Lord now, but I look forward to the day when we meet again in front of the throne.

Pastor Appreciation Week

I posted the writing prompts for this week but won't be using any of them. October is Clergy Appreciation month and I want to spend this week giving honor where honor is due.  I have had four pastors in my lifetime - Pastor Murray Layne, Pastor Vaughn Morton, Pastor Philip White, and Pastor Richard McGriffin.  They have each impacted my life in tremendous ways.

I often hear people say, "My pastor is the greatest!"  I don't use that phrase because I have had more than one pastor.  I don't rank them, choosing one as greater than another.  Just like a parent shouldn't play favorites, I don't have a favorite pastor.  They ALL mean a great deal to me.  They have been with me through different parts of my life.

We have been in a unique situation for almost five years now.  We spend a lot of our time in Hawaii because of Les' job.  Last year we were on the island for six weeks straight, two different times.  We need a pastor in our lives where we are, so when we are in Hawaii we put ourselves under the authority of Pastor McGriffin.  We trusted Pastor White to guide us in choosing a church on Oahu and we trust Pastor McGriffin to take care of us spiritually while we are there.  We feel very blessed to have both these men in our life.

Jeremiah 3:15 says, "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."  I am thankful for the pastors that God has given me.  Les and I are now in our 50s, both Pastor White and Pastor McGriffin are in their 60s.  I realize that my next pastor will most likely be younger than me.  When that day comes, I will trust God to give me the right man for the job, and I will respect that man no matter his age.

The best way to show appreciation to your pastor? Be the Best Saint Your Pastor Has Ever Pastored! Make his job easy!

How do we make our pastors' jobs easier? Stand with him. Pray for him. Support him financially. Grow in God. Have a personal prayer life. Read the Word. Be on time for church. Be on time for pre-service prayer and pray when you get there. Fight the fiery darts of the wicked. Fight the flames of gossip, rebellion, disobedience, and discontent. When you go to him for counsel - do what he says. Give your pastor time to rest. Time to study. Time to spend with new babes. The list could go on and on, but you get the idea!  Be the Best Saint Your Pastor Has Ever Pastored!  And not just in October!

Amounting to Something

We really begin to amount to something to men and to God
When we are careful to do a kindness
And careless about who gets the credit for it.
~Unknown

What a great thought! So many want to be great for God, but think only the great ones are those who are seen.

As I was thinking about this quote a person came to mind who lives this. She isn't interested in being up front, but she works as hard as anyone in our church. In fact if an announcement needs to be made for the Ladies Department, she'll do her best to get someone else to make it!

Our Ladies leader, Sis. Nancy Ayala, is the best. It doesn't matter if it's Youth Alive, Toys for Tots, a funeral, or one of the many special services at Victory Tabernacle, if you want Sis. Nancy she'll be in the kitchen! No one is going home hungry after one of our events. Sis. Nancy always manages to have enough food on hand, even if it means sending her husband or one of her sons to the store five minutes before serving time! She won't sit down until everyone is served and she's the first one back in the kitchen at cleanup time.

I'm glad to count Sis. Nancy as one of my friends. She's a true woman of God, who knows how to pray, and is probably going to be a little embarrassed that I wrote this about her!

There are many Sis. Nancys in our churches, you just have to look really hard to find them since they're busy doing and not worried about being seen.

To the Sis. Nancys in the world - thanks for all you do! And to our Sis. Nancy, I love and appreciate you very much!