To Whom Honor is Due...

After several years in ministry, our Youth Pastor son, Benjamin, has recently resigned his position to further his education. He already holds a Master's degree in Linguistics, where he studied Greek and Hebrew. It turns out that he will have to wait until next year for admission to the Doctorate program due to space limitations. He has a heart for youth and has continued to serve as Youth Pastor on a voluntary basis until a replacement is available. Now the change-over is imminent.

Jamie, as we call him, telephoned the other day saying he was surprised Sunday by a time of recognition and appreciation from the leadership and the congregation. His voice dropped when he said wonderingly, "Mom, they gave me a standing ovation!" A standing ovation! The congregation there is large, and sometimes numbers upward of 1,000!

My mind goes back several years to when our son first began attending the church. Ever straight forward, he went to the pastor and leaders and told them he wanted something to do in the church, to help and get involved. They were taken aback and told the newcomer he would have to prove himself before that could happen.

New to Houston, having found a job in a French company (French being his college major), he was gregarious, yet lonely. One day he approached a lovely young woman at church and abruptly asked, "How old are you?" I guess she gave the right answer, because they have just celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary.

As time passed, it seemed Jamie became invaluable to the church with his willingness and creativity. He wrote and directed many outstanding plays and productions. He was ordained as a minister in a moving ceremony with congregants being allowed to give instances of what he and his wife, Tammy, meant in their lives and Christian growth.

Until he starts back to school, Benjamin is employed in a French school, teaching English to French children and French to English kids, or a little of both to both. He is a great dad to his and Tammy's three wonderful kids!

From supervising the teens at Youth camps to taking them on trips abroad, Jamie guided and taught them the Word. He deserves a standing ovation!