Comments on: Coming up for air

By: daveingland

daveingland — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:31:59 +0000

Richie: Wow, you totally reminded me of something that impacted me from our past that I had forgotten about until I saw your reply. I remember sitting in class with you and when Bob Russell told the story of that old church and the legacy of ministry in his family I actually started crying…it really moved me! Russell is another inspiration in that in today’s world we as pastors are always striving to reach new heights, therefore changing pastorates frequently. Gone are the days when someone founds a church a stays with it for 20-30 years. So, exceptions to this such as Bob Russell and Rick Warren inspire me as I wonder how amazing the future will be if God continues his vision for Sacramento through me 20 years from now…what will transformed lives be doing to change the world at that time.

Know that you are someone that has spoken into my life and helped me stay focused. You were faithful in service at Forefront before planting Legacy & you have always been a tremendous rock to your family, putting them first before others. I also always remember the times when some crisis would come up and I’d be praying & you would say to me, “If I remember correctly, you’re kind of a new Christian still, right?” Talk about bringing me back to reality!

Thanks for your support, prayer and love for me, my family, and all that God is doing through a work called Revolution Church Sacramento Your faith and perseverance in the face of some serious adversity has encouraged me. You remind me that people like the Apostle Paul are alive and well and in love with Christ even today!

By: Richie

Richie — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:17:56 +0000

Dave,

Love ya man! Always from the gut with you bro! I was at a meeting last week in Philly, where Dr. Leroy Lawson was the featured speaker. He is 71 and was the President of Hope International University which has responsibility for the Londen Institute now (or still may be); and he just took over an interim Pastoring position for a church of about 200 folks in Arizona. It was very inspiring and motivating. He also lost a child to death too, and it created an instant bond between us. Anyway., I walked up to him afterwards and just “Thanked” him because I was stressing about my age and the fact that I am planting a church at the age of 48 (soon to be 49) and I was thinking – how long can I really do this?

So.., I asked him that question? How long should I plan for? He said if I were you, given the way folks age today and based on your current health – plan on 20-30 years minimum! That floored me, but your right – what’s the rush?

I think part of it is, the need to survive and also the idea or ego behind what the world deems as a successful church plant. I so remember that black and white picture that Bob Russell showed us of that little church in Meadville, PA and how that pastor was fired and died before the fruits of his labor were even realized. Bob Russell’s parents were in the picture and almost every person in that picture or the generations after them went on to do GREAT things for the Kingdom. All we can do bro is serve to the best of our ability – and pray that our labor of Love will produce good fruit.

Love ya man! Hang tough!

Peace,

Richie