Back in my own personal "B.C." era I was the proprietor of a little store in West Saint Paul, MN. We had 2 gas pumps outside and sold cigarettes, cigars, and X-rated Magazines inside. Down the street from this store is a church called Iglesia Hispana Betel. I often heard that this church was actively "praying my store out of business" because the pastor and the church considered the store to be a neighborhood blight. In 2005 I was called to the ministry and met Pastor Napoleon Meynard who, when informed of my past employment, reminded me that the church had successfully prayed my store out of business.
Fast forward another year and that same pastor and his wife strongly advised Brittany and I to get married during a conversation at a Christmas Party.
Just last week, I saw Pastor Napoleon again at a prayer meeting. I told him that without him I would not "be here" ("here" being the prayer meeting). Think about it- he prayed me out of business otherwise I may have still been at that store today. Not only that, he (and his wife Dora) saw something in Brittany and I and boldly "pushed" us a step closer to marriage (maybe I should tell Antioch to send a thank you card to the Meynards). When I said these words to Napoleon he was quite moved and I was struck by the fact that this pastor had a tremendous influence on my life though I have never attended a worship service at his church or even heard him preach.
I say all this to remind you that this is pastor appreciation month and I beseech you to consider the influence your pastor has outside of the walls of your church building. I assure you that pastor's do many, many, things that will never appear in a church report. Matter of fact, there are a few of you reading this whom I have never met but have also had a tremendous impact on my life. Please let your pastor know how much you appreciate them but don't forget the pastors who have influenced you even though you are not a member of their church. Trust me, you will bless them!
P.S. 2 days after I spoke with Napoleon I got a thank you card from a woman I have never met but was able to bless her in a time of need. What a sweet blessing!
