In Memory Of Service: Church & Community

There were a couple of ideas I had for todays' post, as we pray for churches as they engage in their communities. After learning that the Michigan State Trooper passed away last night after a tragic accident and reading the subsequent posts, it became apparent that I needed to write something.

When I learned that he was also the youth pastor for the church he and his family attended in their local community, there was no question.

What an incredibly profound opportunity than to serve God through active ministry as well as serve your community through public service.

In typing this, I am reminded of my Dad's service, now retired from law enforcement, yet while on the force, faithfully served our church, as a board member and other ministries.

A friend from the church we attend now; he is a lieutenant for a metro-area fire department while he and his wife head up the nursery ministry. Another friend, he and his wife both serve on the worship team and he too, serves on the fire department of a different, metro-area community.

This is what makes the political and social attacks on those in public service as well as those in ministry so difficult. These people aren't perfect as none of us are, but it's a slap on both sides of the face, to these men and women and their families, who serve both their church and their community. 

What an amazing opportunity they have, to reach the lost in their local community through their service and while sharing an active, living faith despite the most difficult and tragic and inexpiable circumstance people find themselves. 

They need our prayer. They survive on our support. They deserve our respect.

On this #communitySaturday, pray for State Trooper Chad Wolf and his family, during this time of loss. Pray friends and family and community experience the love and grace of God through this time. May the testimony of his life and service speak louder in his absence than it did in his presence. Pray for the impact his story will make to those who hear and read about his service, whether in the local community or abroad. Pray for his fellow comrades in the Michigan State Police; they too are family...blue love runs deep. May they be surrounded in the love of Christ and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Regardless of the understanding that may never come from this tragedy, may family, friends and community come closer to God, in acknowledgment that He is able to bring joy from mourning.


-PNC

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