A Conversation With My Pastor...

I just got off the phone with my Pastor. I am so thankful for Pastor Barb! She called me this morning to encourage me and compliment me on the “welcome” I did at yesterday’s Worship Service at Mission of Hope. The “welcome” is in the beginning of the service, where I would welcome everyone, share a few announcements, and open the service up with a prayer. My favorite part yesterday was appreciating Pastor Barb publicly before she came to the front and delivered her message. I love her so much! I call her Pastor Barb at church, because she is my pastor, but I call her Barb outside of that realm…she’s like my second mom! My children call her Grandma Barb. 🙂 We also talked about the Service yesterday, and how we both felt God’s presence there, and shared different things we noticed and appreciated.

Yesterday’s Worship Service ranks right up there as one of the most moving, inspiring, Spirit-filled services I have ever been to there! Each Worship Service is so touching, and I always feel the presence of the Lord in them, but there was something so powerful, so incredible in yesterday’s Service.

The Mission of Hope Worship Team, which I am a part of, led worship yesterday. I feel so honored and privileged to be a part of this group. All of us come from different backgrounds, different life experiences, with different gifts and talents. I was moved to tears many times just in our rehearsal time! I knew at that point that it was going to be a kleenex-filled service! 🙂 There’s nothing like being a part of a Spirit-filled service, singing praises to God and leading the congregation to do the same. It was so cool to worship God like that, then take in an incredible message from my Pastor!

I see that Pastor Barb has an annointing on her life, which spills out into everything she does. Her messages are so annointed! As she spoke yesterday, and read a few scriptures through her message, she had the congregation in the palm of her hand. One scripture she read is 1 Peter 4:12-19 which talks about suffering as a Christian according to God’s will. Pastor Barb is going through her share of suffering right now.

A few weeks ago, Barb had a breast biopsy done, and the results showed she has breast cancer. Being Tina’s friend, I knew before most others knew. I was stunned, as Barb and her family were stunned. I’ve had a few conversations with Barb since she was first diagnosed, and I’ve seen a transformation in her that can only happen through and from God! She has gone from saying she’s not going to treat her cancer with radiation, all the way to deciding to have a double masectomy. She has such a peace about her, and she is excited to see what God is going to do through this for her, for her family, for God’s people, and for the Mission! Even this morning her voice was full of enthusiasm and excitement. I know she has her moments…we all would…but what an example she is of 1 Peter 4:12-13, 19:

“12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

Pastor Barb knows God has a plan through her illness, and that He will not leave her in it. I love Barb so very much. She has ALWAYS been there for me, in every situation of my life! It’s now my turn to be there for her. Will you pray for Pastor Barb with me and my family? I know she wants whatever God’s will is for her life…will you pray for that with me?