A Lifetime of Thanks

October. It's a lovely month. Hoodies and beanies come out of hiding. Leaves are changing and falling. They crunch under your feet as you take a walk. Many weekends come with the smell of those leaves burning and of bonfires. Apple and pumpkin everything are everywhere. It's grand.

In the church world October also means appreciation. Pastor Appreciation. And while I may be a pastor, I wouldn't be where I am today without the amazing leadership, discipleship and support of many pastors over my lifetime.

My favorite pastor is my dad. Growing up he had set aside his ministerial credential and led at church by serving as a deacon, teaching Sunday school, preaching occasionally, and even taking care of us youth who lovingly referred to him as Captian PP, AKA Captain Party Pooper. It was a term of endearment, trust me.

My brothers and my Dad

Reinstating his credentials and furthering them to become ordained, he set an amazing example for my brothers and I to follow as we have our own families and are involved in our own churches, 2 of us in vocational ministry, but all of us serving our churches faithfully.

Grandpa's 90th Birthday, 2015

My Grandpa Wamper who has been an active minister for around 70 years and even still in his 90's will preach if you give him the pulpit! Along with his father, they planted churches in St. Louis. My Great Grandfather, who I never had the privilege of meeting, was apparently quite the preacher! My dad has some great stories. The heritage of my dad's family is pretty amazing. My Great-Grandmother was a credentialed minister along with one of my dad's aunts. So, this makes me a 4th generation credentialed minister with the Assemblies of God and the 3rd generation FEMALE credentialed minister in my family. Pretty outstanding if you ask me.

Pastor Brian and his Diet Coke, preaching in costume sometimes such as Star Trek or even the Devil. Melody, his wife, making MANY memories of immense fondness like camp, Dr. Newhart's Christmas Cure, fixing make-up for dances, and teaching us to laugh. Brother Deprenger...he was an interim pastor who took time out of his Sunday afternoon for weeks to go through a discipleship plan for students feeling called to ministry with me. One of the most humble, loving, and tender men I've ever met and I have no doubt that he is one of the main reasons I am who I am.

The Reilly's, McGehee's, O'Keefe's, Pastor Sam and Kay, Pastor Tim, Pastor Rich, Pastor Erik and Pastor Barry. All pastors I call my own and can point to marks left on my life in various ways.

Pastor Sam

In the AG we have district leaders who, at least for me and I believe the majority of us pastors here in IL, have some pretty amazing pastors leading us. Phil and Renee, and Gary and Anne are the passionate men and women who stand at the forefront of #TeamIllinois and challenge us to be the best ministers God has created us to be. There are others who have been elected to serve as our regional and sectional leaders who are definitely important to not only each of us who are a part of the ministers here but also the churches we serve in. I know I'll miss some if I try to name them but I'll say that Illinois has some fantastic presbyters.

Friends in ministry! Meet Mel!

And then I have some pretty special friends in this race who are just plan phenomenal.

Just three ministry chicks in Guatemala!

In no particular order, of course...Eric and Liz, Clint and Kelly, Chris and Christina, Travis and Merideth, Melissa, David and Heidi, Jonathan, Jake and Taylor, Ryan and Megan, Amanda, Kermit and Nikki, Randy and Kelly, Nick and Janessa, Ashton, Jake, Dan and Anna, Rebecca, Missy, Brian and Christi, Danny and Vanessa, Matt, Paul and Debbie, Chuck and Wilma, Paul and Carla, Chris and Amy, Rachel, Jeff and Maryann...and even a few I have never met in person but just really enjoy listening to or connecting with via social media.

My dear, sweet, Kelly

I am sure I have missed naming a few who I love dearly. It's always hard to do something like this and get everyone.

Here's the thing. Ministers, pastors and missionaries and evangelists, they give their hearts. They give all they have to serve a group of people and build the Kingdom of God. Their families deal with a lot and are often looked past or held to an unimaginably ridiculous standard. So rather than let this month go by without saying a word, I took to typing this out so that I can share with any who will read how thankful and grateful I am for them and their leadership and dedication to doing the will of the Father.

Go hug a pastor, shake their hand, take them to dinner, buy their kids a treat, offer to babysit for them, show up to the prayer meeting, be on time Sunday morning...simply say "Thank you, Pastor." It'll go a lot farther than you can imagine.