March of 2008 is over and its passing was a bit significant for Andi and me. It marked thirty years. Yes, thirty years...a thirty year association with Southgate Baptist Church. How that association has enriched our lives!

In March of 1978 we came to our first service...a half-hour late. We arrived at 11:00, when the service had started at 10:30 A.M. We were shuttled to the then "overflow room" (now the kitchen area). We sat down, as Dr. Franklin Logsden got up. He had been a former pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago, Illinois. He preached on God coming to Hagar and Ishmael and revealing Himself as Beer-Lahai-roi. It means "You God see me". It became a place-name for God coming to Hagar and sustaining her with His promise and presence. I will always remember that first message that I heard. In the middle of the message, Dr. Logsden unfurled an accordion like mesh of strung together letters cut out of colored construction paper. It was secreted in his Bible. As he spoke about this name for God, "You God see me", he pulled it out and held it up. I said to myself at the time, "I'll never do that". And I have not. But I have never forgot that first message and that name for God has come home to mean a great deal to me as I have been with God's people through the years.

I was eighteen and a freshman in my third quarter at Cedarville College (now university). Early on I tried out a Spring clean-up the grounds and tree planting meeting. I connected to the Johnson family that day and had an inkling of a thought that maybe I could belong here. Shirley was clearly the CEO on the project. Bucky and I loyally followed. Paul Ware was the brains but became demure before the organizational skills of Shirley Johnson. The only dissenter was Everett Wipert who pushed back all morning as we planted trees. The banter was classic, neither one of them gave ground and we all laughed and left and went home. After that, I knew a couple of people. That was the beginning.

Thirty years later everything is different and the same all at once. Shirley is still organizing. The clothes pantry is organized better than most major department store clothes' warehouses. Everett's wisdom is still in vogue (he always maintained that it was not done snowing flaking until the Forsythia bush had bloomed. I saw one blooming today. Yes, Everett we'll wait on Spring until we see the last flakes). Colby Goodrich, Jr. is still without a mom on earth. Ruth died at thirty-nine in those days. Colby is still here in worship. God be praised...for our hope and more! Whole bunches of people have moved on. Stable jobs in our area and the chance for vocational promotion have not been plentiful. We no sooner get to know great families and God moves them on. Staffs have changed and lay leadership has changed. We are in the midst of the second wave of lay leaders who have taken the baton and are moving forward.

It is difficult to describe what this body means to Andi and me. You supported me and followed my basketball games while I was in college. We were married here in June of 1982. We birthed our boys here. An OB/GYN who cares for your wife is worth his weight in gold. We will always live in Dave and Vangie's debt. Your affirmation and generosity helped us through seminary. Your belief in our gifts helped us get our legs in ministry. You let me fail and still loved me and helped to shape me. I was ordained here in May of 1987. And to top it off, in 1995, you entrusted me with the care of the flock. It is a great honor and privilege and a joy of my heart. I covet your prayer.

Ok, there were some missteps. What was that 40th year birthday surprise? ? I also do not want to leave the impression that it has been some thirty year uninterrupted love-fest. I have made some people mad and am not on other folk's favorite list. Because I am proud that used to bother me more. It stills bothers me. But my heart now yearns more than ever to be on God's pleasure list. I want Him to take pleasure in me. If that takes place, it doesn't matter how it sorts out with others. If we would all but live for the great day! Let's us live to please Him! Then when we please Him, he makes even our enemies to be at peace with us (Proverbs 16:7).

But I have many more friends here and brothers and sisters who have meant the world to me in these last thirty years. Thank you Southgate for the pleasure of your company along this good way following Jesus Christ. There is nothing like a great family to accompany you on the way. Thank you, I will always live grateful for your affection and support. You mean a great deal to us.