People and Work

For Christians there is always a tension between the fact that people are more important in God's eyes than anything else in this world. And yet, Christian ministers want their ministries to continue on in one way or another when they are gone home to the Lord. A good example of this occurred this past week when Dennis Griffith, Director of Southern California Teen Challenge was called home by our Lord. First, our condolences go out to his family, because this was a completely unexpected homegoing. For those who say that Christians should not grieve in the face of death, I would suggest you look to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane - he not only was not afraid to let his fear in the face of death show, but he also made sure it was recorded for you and I. Death is ugly! And the separation it brings is overwhelming. We need to pray for, and minister to, those who have lost a loved one. And, Dennis went home doing what God had called him to do. What could be better? And yet, there remains the work. Teen Challenge has been responsible for tens of thousands of people being delivered from life-controlling habits. We desperately need the ministry to continue. And it will! Each of us is precious in God's eyes. And that includes those who are yet to come into the kingdom. We can be sure that God will continue the work. When we look at circumstances from this side of eternity, things can be pretty confused. I don't know if they will be any clearer to us on the other side, but I know they are to God! So we will miss Dennis. But the work at Teen Challenge will go on. Dennis, we miss you! But wait until you see all those touched by your ministry in heaven.

Pastor Ken