I leave tomorrow (Saturday) for Gleason, TN where I will be teaching/preaching at First Baptist Church Gleason. It will be bitter sweet. I have been sick for the last two days (fever 101-102) and today I am just starting to feel at 85%. It is also hard to leave with so much going on around home. I made a scheduling mistake when I said yes to the “revival services.” I wrongly thought I would be on a week break from school. Nevertheless, when it comes to the opportunity to teach God’s word I absolutely find myself doing what I have been gifted to do.
I wish I had time to tell you about all of the wonderful things God has done in my life. The 2 years (almost) as a custodian at West Acres Baptist Church has certainly been one of those wonderful and fruitful times in my life. God used that time in tremendous ways (removing my pride, teaching me that the heart of ministry is serving, etc.). I suppose that was one of the frst times I vividly remember God asking Jason to die to self.
The first week of work I found I hated to hear how I was being introduced, ”This is Jason. He is our new janitor.” Inside I cringed. I just hated that “job description.”
My first week of work was also a missions emphasis week. I distinctly remember an older missionary man (70ish) sharing with the congregation the struggles pastors had when they came to the mission field because their identity was in their job description instead of Christ. Well, you can imagine…the Spirit of God convicted me and instantly transformed my heart. It was during the first week as a janitor that I learned my job description was not my identity. For me, it was a much needed life lesson.
Monday thru Friday I vacuumed, wiped down tables, cleaned toliet after toliet (36 toliets if I recall correctly). I learned how to smile and go fix the Sunday School rooms where SS teachers were obviously upset that the “youth event” left their Sunday School chairs out of order. I learned that my job really wasn’t just Monday thru Friday. I was to learn to be a servant at all times. Including the Sunday mornings when I arrived at church to discover someone waiting for me to clean up “vomit” somewhere in the building.
All of those memories (believe it or not) were good. Yet, the relationships I formed with so many wonderful people (whom I still talk with today) have been priceless. I dare not name many because I would certainly leave many out, but Pastor Harmon, Chris Norris and Mitch Verdell were among the many who invested much in me.
So what does First Baptist Gleason have to do with West Acres? Mitch Verdell (and family) now serve at First Baptist Gleason. They sensed God has led them to start a Christian camp. I will be staying at this camp with Chris Norris who will be leading music during the revival.
It is hard to express all of the life lessons God prepares for us, and I am still learning.
I have prayed and asked God to help me this next week.
Tentative Messages:
Genesis 19: We will be looking at the life of Lot and noting how worldiness will cause us to lose our witness.
2 Corinthians 5:14-21: We will be looking how God’s love is foundational for Gospel centered living.
Isaiah 52:13-Isaiah 53:12: We will be looking at the Suffering Servant.
Matthew 9:35-40: Missions and Ministering Like Jesus!
I will appreciate your prayers and please know that God is still teaching me through many of you!
By the way…somewhere in my “memorabilia” is a business card that the secretaries at West Acres made me that says, “Custodial Pastor.” On that card is my name and a picture of a broom with headphones(I was constantly listening to sermons). I carried that card with me for a very long time…
Okay, I cried. How I remember that time too. I remember it with very fond memories as well. I loved to come to Augusta, and I appreciated the people who became your friends and invested in you and your family. It really didn’t surprise me when you got called into the ministry! God knew just where to place you for a time in your life such as that! I will be with yo in my heart this week. I wish I could be there. Tell Mitch and family hello, and I hope we wee them in Louisville in June at the Southern Baptist Conference! Maybe we will have our Travis Cottrell CD’s by then. Love you to the moon and back!
Jason, it seems you’re such a serious blogger. I know that you would have blogged this past week except that you were at Liberty Retreat & Conference Center with no internet connection! I can’t wait to read what you say about the week.
It was amazing to have you here. I was “Martha” while you were here, trying to be a good hostess. But “Mary” is here, too. Actually, I’m almost glad you’re gone. It is amazingly convicting to be around you! I’ve watched every bit of that ten years that you’ve been dedicated wholeheartedly to Christ. I liked you ten years ago just fine, and I was challenged by your walk with Christ even then. But now, there is no explanation for the wisdom, discernment, “deep personal conviction”, and compassion in your life except that you have been with our God – a LOT! So I guess I want to say thanks for the kick in the pants. Yep, I think your mom is right, no doubt. But I’m glad that your sermons make me squirm!
I certainly wish Molly and the kids could have come. I certainly understand how that’s just not possible. But thanks so much to your precious family and to your wonderful congregation for sharing you with us!
I need to give you my blog address: http://www.debbieatliberty.blogspot.com. Also, could I get the dates that you will be going back to Ethiopia? A church member has requested that. Thanks!
I hope it was more sweet than bitter for you…it sure was for me!
Praying for you, brother!
i helped make that business card for you…and i hope you know i made that card with SUCH respect and love….all of which still fills my heart to this day…as do the days of our ‘custodial pastor’! what wonderful, blessed memories!