Rev. David McIntosh, Rev. Ted Giordano, Rev. Kelly Pope, Rev. Booth Poole, Rev. Sam Burton, Rev. Keith Tonkel, Bishop Clay Lee, this is a roll call of the pastors that participated in the service of remembrance and celebration for the Rev. John Carter (known to most of us as “Brother John”).
Brother John departed from this life last week. When I heard the news I was sadly disappointed. I have known Brother John for well over 30 years. Although I never attend one of his churches, never served as a pastor where he had served, and I never spend an enormous amount of time in his presence, I have always felt like Brother John was a special part of my life.
I attended his celebration yesterday (Monday). Believe it or not, all seven preachers spoke, there was a congregational hymn, three special anthems (one by the choir, one soloist and a duet), and a short witness by several friends and family members. When it was all over in about an hour I believe we all felt as if we had really been to “church”! What a wonderful time of praise and celebration to share in the homegoing of a fellow minister of the gospel.
At first arrival, there was somewhat of a note of sadness however, when I gazed the sanctuary and noticed how few of Brother John’s peers were actually at the service. You know, we would all love to see family and close personal friends return to our last celebration of life on this earth. And yet, that’s when it hit me!! The reason all of Brother John’s peers are not here is because he had out lived them..
The pastor’s who spoke were actually disciples! Those minister’s in the pews, we were disciples. We are all disciples who followed one that not only talked the talk of Jesus Christ our risen Savior, but he “walked the walk!” Brother John, age 93, lived his life in order that others, yes others, might know Jesus Christ!
Lord, help me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way,
That even when I kneel to pray,
My prayer shall be for “Others”
Help me in all the work I do
To ever be sincere and true,
And know, that all I do for You
Must needs be done for “Others”
And when my work on earth is done,
And my new work in Heaven´s begun,
May I forget the crown I´ve won,
While thinking still of “Others”
“Others” Lord, yes, “Others”
Let this motto be,
Help me live for others
That I may live for Thee.
