I'm Thankful for Pastor Jerry (by Stephen Simpson)

This Thanksgiving season, I am thankful for Pastor Jerry Smith.  He is our Associate Pastor for Music and Visitation.  My experience with Pastor Jerry began in 1990 when my family began attending FBC.  At that time, FBC was without a Senior Pastor and Pastor Jerry was 'holding down the fort.'  When I first met Pastor Jerry, I was probably 9 years old.  In the 21 years that I have know him, my respect and appreciation for him has only grown.

When I think of Pastor Jerry, I am especially thankful for:

• His Faithfulness - Pastor Jerry has served at FBC for over 27 years.  It is increasingly rare for an individual to stay at the same job for this length of time. It is even more rare for a man to be an Associate Pastor at the same church for 27 years.  During his time at FBC, he has seen Senior Pastors come and go.  He has seen Youth Pastors come and go.  Yet through it all, Pastor Jerry has faithfully continued to serve God and Faith Baptist Church
     
• His Steadiness - Pastor Jerry is steady.  When things get tough, he remains steady.  If no one shows up for choir practice, he remains steady.  When a dress rehearsal goes terribly, he remains steady.  In situations where others might be susceptible to emotional highs and lows, Pastor Jerry remains steady.  When our church went a few years with no Senior Pastor, Pastor Jerry remained steady and kept on serving.  I am thankful for his steady demeanor.
     
• His Perspective - Pastor Jerry keeps things in perspective.  He excels at seeing the bigger picture.  The big picture is that souls are lost and need Jesus.  He understands that the Music Ministry is simply a tool to help people find Jesus.  He understands that the preaching of God's Word is primary in the worship service.  Music is secondary.  I am thankful that Pastor Jerry keeps things in perspective.
     
• His Kindness - Pastor Jerry is kind.  He demonstrates kindness to his wife and family.  I have seen him demonstrate kindness to complete strangers.  I have seen him show kindness in even the most difficult of situations.  Kindness is not easy.  I am thankful for the kindness that Pastor Jerry consistently shows to those around.
    
• His Humor - Pastor Jerry is very funny.  I appreciate his sense of humor.  He makes me laugh all the time.

Wagon Wheel Willy from VBS 2003

Above all, I am thankful for the example that Pastor Jerry is to me.  He is not perfect.  But, he is an excellent example of a man who has faithfully served his wife, his family, and his church for many years.  May God bless Faith Baptist Church with many more men like Pastor Jerry Smith.

Other Thanksgiving 2011 Posts:

• Thankful for the Lord's Birds (by Lee Dusing)
• Thankful for This Time and Place (by Jonita Barram)