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A TRIBUTE TO GOD'S ARMY OF THE ANONYMOUS
This is my tribute to the men who have made an impact upon my life for God's Glory. I have lost contact with most of them over the years and many do not even know I am in the ministry. This is my way of letting the world know that being faithful accomplishes more than most will ever know. Many people had an impact upon my life and for them I am truly thankful. These are the people whom God used tremendously in my life and this is my tribute to them.
I was born on August 21, 196, in Louisville, Kentucky as the firstborn son of James & Shirley Thomas who had been married for 5 years prior to my birth. I have a younger sister of 2 years. My father was employed at Texaco Inc., which would play a major part in my life.
I was raised in a very conservative Christian home and faithfully attended church each week. Our first church experience was in Lima, Ohio, at the Lima Baptist Temple under the leadership of Ronald Cannon. My father served on the board of the church, and I was part of that church until the middle of my eighth grade year. Phil McKeowon would serve as my Youth Pastor and he and Pastor Cannon make a tremendous impact upon my life. They demonstrated the faithfulness the ministry requires.
During the middle of my eighth grade year we moved to Detroit, Michigan. This was the first time I enrolled in a Christian School. We attended Temple Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. The church was under the leadership of Dr. G. B.Vick. Larry Bartlett served as my Youth Pastor. Dr. Vick would go home to be with the Lord 2 years later, and I would enjoy and learn from the oratory of Dr. A. V. Henderson. Dr. Vick taught me the importance of faithfulness, Larry taught me a love for the ministry, and Dr. Henderson showed me a love for preaching. A music director by the name of Roger Bice showed me the importance of being honest before God. It was under his ministry I came to deal honestly with my salvation.
The end of my Junior year, my father was transferred to Chicago, Illinois. It was during this time I would settle God's call to the ministry upon my life. We attended Marquette Manor Baptist Church and I attended the Christian school at Marquette my Senior Year. My youth pastor, Wayne Vangelderan, would continue to burden my life for the ministry. Two men would have an eternal impact upon my life. My speech teacher, David Harney, would impress upon me the power of the spoken word. Pat Quinn would demonstrate the principle of unconditional love and the importance of being yourself as God made and designed you to be.
At the end of my senior year, I would decide to attend Bob Jones University. It was not my desire, but it would develop what I needed in my life. At Bob Jones, I would be impacted by many people, but two key people stand out. Mr. Don Ryerson would take over where David Harney left off. He developed within me a passion for the spoken word. He would internalize the message that I wanted to speak. He coached our Drama team, and directed many plays. A man by the name of Bill Reynolds would show me the Christian life should be fun! Bill is the wood carver for the university and many see his work, yet know nothing of him. He has faithfully served ministering through his talent and served with joy!
I would graduate from the University, get married, and start teaching in a Christian School in Petersburg, Virginia. Two men would show me the importance of never getting bitter. Our principal, Elwood Heisey, and his assistant, Mike Boole, were in an extremely difficult ministry and faithfully served without allowing bitterness to make them leave the ministry.
After a year at Petersburg, we would move to Whitewater, Wisconsin where I would assume the position of Field Representative for Camp Joy. I would meet many pastors and evangelists over the next two and a half years, but only some people would really stand out. One was a pastor by the name of Les Ollila, who would take the time to talk to the staff. He was always a joy to have on the campground and really helped me lay a foundation for Youth Ministry. Two men I worked with impacted my life greatly. Bruce Clark, the program director taught me the importance of consistency within the ministry. Paul Swanson, who worked maintenance, showed me the importance of having a great attitude. God would later take Paul and his wonderful wife through the difficult experience of losing a teenager.
After Camp Joy, I would assume the Youth Pastorate at Billy Sunday Tabernacle. I would serve under Wes Hansen, who taught me the value of prayer and allowed me the freedom to learn the ministry. The Administrator, Dennis Chapman, would show the value of friendship in ministry. Two men could never argue more vehemently, yet care so deeply. At Billy Sunday, God allowed me to impact the lives of teens, some of whom are in the ministry today. It was also at Billy Sunday that I would struggle with the ministry. I had served as a youth pastor for almost 6 years. Those 6 years saw the birth of 2 sons, and the demands of the ministry almost destroyed my marriage. It was very clear that I was task driven and married more to the ministry than my wife.
I made the difficult decision to leave the ministry and planned to return a few years later when my family was in proper perspective. After about 6 months in a sales orientated job, a small rural ministry about 30 minutes away was looking for a speaker each Sunday. Since I had been counseled to stay involved in ministry, I decided to start ministering to this group of people. Little did I know that they would minister to me more than I could ever minister to them. By this time I had built a measure of confidence within my marriage. I returned to the pastorate on a part time basis.
The Lord had lead me to a small farm community who understood the needs of a hurting Pastor. They decided they would minister to me as I ministered to them. That was the summer of 1992, and I and my family currently still serve that small community. I now serve in a full time capacity, although I do work in the community learning about farm life.
The people God allows me to impact are a result of the army of the anonymous you have just read about. The names may mean nothing to you. It may be like reading the book of Numbers. But to God . . .to the people I minister to . . . to me . . . they are everything!
I only hope through this page, I can honor them and share their ministry with the world!
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