Fifteen years ago I officiated at a wedding of an active-duty Marine and a woman whom I’d known since she was a child. The years passed with many military moves for the family, and war duties challenged them along the way as their family grew. During that time, he got a degree in Christian studies and retired in his early forties from the Marine Corp. He became an assistant pastor in Massachusetts and made the decision that ordination would be part of his Christian journey.
He asked me to be on his ordination board, and I considered that a privilege. Seeing this couple grow over the years, even during difficult circumstances, has been a wonder to behold.
This brings me to a couple of verses fitting for their ministry:
Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
God is still equipping and calling proven, capable individuals into the ministry. What a blessing this is for those of us in the last quarter of the game.
Think about it.
Gary