REFLECTIONS ON 50 YEARS OF CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
Fifty years as an ordained minister of Jesus Christ 1976-2026
What a special day May 17, 2026 was. I was warned not to prepare a message, since something special would be done to mark this occasion. I was surprised when our dear friends, Steve and Kay Watson from Providence Baptist Church in Lecanto, FL came to dinner Saturday night! What a nice time we had. Then at church Sunday morning Pastor Gary Carter of Free Grace Church of Tampa Bay and his dear wife Levina came, too! Our entire family showed up, too! That meant so much to me. My sister Amy Bateman and sister-in-law Viki Sager were there, as well as niece Lydia Sager. And to have all our church family was great. My friend and boss, Raymond McIntyre and his wife Becky came, too. What a special blessing to be together in God’s house. Our friend Danny Castellano from Tampa sent a very nice note that son Roy read publicly. Others from around the world sent email notes to me. Terrie’s sister and brother-in-law, Jayne and Chuck Miller, phoned and conveyed their appreciation and love.
Pastor Gary Carter preached on ‘A Little Place with a Big Story’ on Bethany. We enjoyed good food and fellowship around the table afterward, and this specially decorated cake. Afterward Miguel and Maggie Ruiz and his sister Mattie presented Terrie and I special engraved plaques to commemorate the occasion, along with a nice engraved pen. I was also given cards. Brother pastor Edward Fleagle gave me a special present to mark the occasion of a pocket magnifying lens he used as a boy that I had referenced in a sermon illustration not too long ago.
Fifty years of gospel ministry in one place is pretty wonderful, and I am quick to give all the glory and praise to God. He is worthy. Soli Deo gloria!
Over these years I have preached over 4,000 sermons, with over 70 sermon series, and almost twenty adult Sunday School series, almost all on Bible books, and twice through our 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.
In all this, my dear wife Terrie has been so supportive and active, praying for and with me and allowing me to have the time needed for preparation and ministry, as well as serving in so many ways this church we love so much, Highlands Grace Reformed. The church has also been so receptive and supportive. God has been so good to me. May He get all the glory and honor, and His Word go forth with increased power as Christ and Him crucified is proclaimed.
I owe a great deal to my godly mother, Mary L. Sager. She dedicated her firstborn child to God in 1942 when she was a teenager! Her godly example and intercession in prayer along with her faithful witness drew me to Christ after two or three years. She was a profound influence and part of my gospel ministry. I was so privileged to be her minister during the last thirty years of her life.
Pastor Jim Handyside and his dear wife Chrissie of Glasgow, Scotland have been a major influence, and a great blessing from the Lord. Their example and encouragement have been so helpful. What a blessing that he was able to have his autobiography published, ‘An Unprofitable Servant’ to complete his testimony of God’s sovereign grace.
This church fellowship has been my spiritual family and I have grown up together with his people. God weaved our lives together in Christ and continues to make us His dwelling place.
Truly ‘the lines have fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.’ Psalm 16:6
Pastor Gary Carter preached on ‘A Little Place with a Big Story’ on Bethany. We enjoyed good food and fellowship around the table afterward, and this specially decorated cake. Afterward Miguel and Maggie Ruiz and his sister Mattie presented Terrie and I special engraved plaques to commemorate the occasion, along with a nice engraved pen. I was also given cards. Brother pastor Edward Fleagle gave me a special present to mark the occasion of a pocket magnifying lens he used as a boy that I had referenced in a sermon illustration not too long ago.
Fifty years of gospel ministry in one place is pretty wonderful, and I am quick to give all the glory and praise to God. He is worthy. Soli Deo gloria!
Over these years I have preached over 4,000 sermons, with over 70 sermon series, and almost twenty adult Sunday School series, almost all on Bible books, and twice through our 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.
In all this, my dear wife Terrie has been so supportive and active, praying for and with me and allowing me to have the time needed for preparation and ministry, as well as serving in so many ways this church we love so much, Highlands Grace Reformed. The church has also been so receptive and supportive. God has been so good to me. May He get all the glory and honor, and His Word go forth with increased power as Christ and Him crucified is proclaimed.
I owe a great deal to my godly mother, Mary L. Sager. She dedicated her firstborn child to God in 1942 when she was a teenager! Her godly example and intercession in prayer along with her faithful witness drew me to Christ after two or three years. She was a profound influence and part of my gospel ministry. I was so privileged to be her minister during the last thirty years of her life.
Pastor Jim Handyside and his dear wife Chrissie of Glasgow, Scotland have been a major influence, and a great blessing from the Lord. Their example and encouragement have been so helpful. What a blessing that he was able to have his autobiography published, ‘An Unprofitable Servant’ to complete his testimony of God’s sovereign grace.
This church fellowship has been my spiritual family and I have grown up together with his people. God weaved our lives together in Christ and continues to make us His dwelling place.
Truly ‘the lines have fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.’ Psalm 16:6
April 1976 ordination with pastor Jim Handyside of Glasgow, Scotland and Bob Ross of Orlando. We met in our home on Rose Avenue at this time.
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