MICHIGAN VISITS  

In early December Linda and I made a journey into middle Michigan to visit several of our churches in the Alma area. This trip coincided with the Great Lakes Regional Conference (North District) Christmas party I mentioned in an earlier eNews. Pastor George and Alice Showers of our Seville and New Haven churches invited us to come for a visit and preach for the churches on Sunday, December 9. For Seville it was the sixth anniversary of the dedication of their new bethel. Since I enjoy preaching whenever and love meeting Churches of God people wherever, it was an easy yes. Besides, at various CGGC and WTS meetings I’d heard George brag on his people and their community vision. I wanted to see it for myself!

New Seville Bethel

We left Findlay on Saturday morning to meet Pastor George at the Alma College alumni house which was to serve as our overnight lodging. George often houses his church guests at the college where he once taught. Dave and Sally Green also stayed at the alumni house that night across the hall from us. The house serves as the alumni office through the week, but makes a nice B&B over the weekend. We checked in at about 11 a.m. and hurried off to the Great Lakes Region’s Christmas luncheon at Maxfield’s Restaurant outside of Edmore. As I noted in an earlier eNews, this place was incredible, not just because of its location, but because of its menu. I’m telling you it compares with the best smorgasbord anywhere! It was great to see Jim and Linda Bear again after probably ten years and to meet a number of new folks, including the daughter of Pastors Elza and Lou Berry, Twila Jean. Her parents served congregations in PA, OH and MI and helped start the MI family Bible camp in the early 1950s. Twila Jean and her husband, Kermit Hanley, currently serve as interims at our Eagle and Arthur Center churches where her parents once ministered.

North District Great Lakes Pastors Enjoy a Christmas Dinner

After the pastoral Christmas fest, Pastor George took us on a quick tour of the area with a stop by the Seville and New Haven bethels. When George retired from public education about ten years ago, he accepted a call to serve as interim at both congregations. This ultimately led to a call to become the full-time pastor at the two churches, which incidentally were served at one time by his mother, Ruth Showers. I met her back in the 1980s at Summer Seminar--what a saint! When George began, both congregations met in older facilities off the beaten track. Six years ago, Seville relocated and built a new worship center about six miles west of Alma on route 46. Not long after, the New Haven church also left their old bethel, relocated and built a new structure on the same plan as their sister church.

New Bethel at New Haven Church of God

Over the last five years, both congregations have seen substantial growth in ministry and people. Of special note, their Women’s Ministry fellowship sent over forty care boxes to service persons in Iraq in 2007.

George dropped us off at the alumni house while he went to make a few hospital calls. He picked us up about 4 p.m. and drove us to the Pine River Church where Roger and Chris Day pastor. The church hosted a time of fellowship for us and organized an excellent church carry-in supper compliments of the local Women’s Ministry. Linda and I shared about our calling to ministry and our vision for CGGC ministries. After the meal, we all enjoyed a program of gospel music. We returned to Alma for our night’s lodging about 8:30 p.m. and after a visit with Dave and Sally Green at the alumni house, headed off for bed. It had been a long day.

First thing the next morning, George and Alice took us and the Greens to “The Spot” where we partook of a first rate Michigan breakfast. Apparently, this local restaurant is one of the places George likes to hang out and meet the people. It certainly seemed like everyone knew George and he them. This kind of community connectedness lays a solid foundation for ministry by building relationships that in turn lead to pastoral opportunities. This was not my first time to see George’s shepherd heart in action, nor would it be my last this trip. We hurried off to the New Haven Church with George and Alice. Dave and Sally followed in their own car as they needed to leave New Haven early to go to Pine River where Dave was to preach.

Since it was the second Sunday in Advent, I chose to speak from Matthew 1:18-25 on the theme “What’s in a Name?” as my sermon title. Basically I talked about Joseph and his godly character. As surely as God chose Mary, He also chose Joseph to be our Lord’s first protector. That’s what follows in the next chapter of Matthew. Beyond what the text tells us, the character of Joseph is seen in three of his sons: Jesus, James and Jude. I challenged the people at both churches to seek to be like Joseph, to welcome Jesus into their families and as a church to be “protectors” of the gospel witness. Since it was an anniversary Sunday, I also stressed the issue of spiritual legacy which requires us to be faithful on a consistent basis from generation to generation. I reminded them of Pastor George’s mother who served them so faithfully and how the mantle now rested upon the contemporary congregation to carry the work forward.

After services, George and Alice took Linda and me to eat at El Vaquero, the Mexican restaurant in Alma. I’m probably not the best judge on this subject, but I was quite impressed with the cuisine. The folks who run it are Hispanic. The most amazing thing, however, was not finding the restaurant, but discovering that George knew the owners by name and their family story. He also knew the three other pastors and spouses who were there while we were, not to mention several other families who ate there. He spoke to them all, introducing them to us and asking about their families. I can well understand how and why the Seville and New Haven churches are prospering. George’s enthusiasm for people and Alice’s positive (and witty) attitude provide a pattern for ministry that when multiplied through the church will continue to impact the community and beyond.

Happy New Year to everyone across the Church and Godspeed to all in the gospel work!

Ed

NOTE: In our writing there will always be the possibility of errors. I just don’t always remember correctly or have all the facts. I beg your indulgence and ask that you give me a call or email me when a correction is needed.