My Pastor…
died last Thursday.
You’ve never heard of him, but the angels had.
Our Father, the Father Marian Ravan dared me to risk knowing, was waiting at the gate when he arrived home.
He was the epitome of the local pastor…he was the epitome of the very office.
His obituary reads;
“Marion had an exceptional ability to see talent and potential in young people. He continually took risks to give opportunities to impassioned youth. Through those he has mentored, equipped, and dispatched into ministry, Marion’s legacy is long and far reaching. Marion loved people, and had a passion for helping others.”
I was one of those young people once…
He loved me and believed in me, he put up with me and he never, ever even hinted at giving up on me.
He said someday I would reach thousands for Christ and he said it in front of people…lots of people.
He said it even when he knew I needed to sober up before I talked to anybody.
He was right and I’ve always wondered what he would think about how that happened…
He was the most gracious and loving man I’ve ever known and I’ve missed him greatly since he left the valley.
My God, how I loved that man.
I didn’t get to say goodbye.
Because of his heart, we’ll say hello again someday.
Michael. Praying for you tonight.
Oh Michael … I’m so sorry so much is hitting you at the same time … joining Sarah in praying for you tonight.
I know this pain well. That was a great tribute, Michael. Praying for you.
I’m so sorry to hear that, Michael. It was a great tribute. Thoughts and prayers, for this and for you.
Great testimony, Michael. You represent the brother well. I look forward to meeting him some day.
I feel like I should have felt when my father died.
You wouldn’t believe what that man put up with…he was convinced despite the evidence that God had his hand on me and he never wavered…never .
He knew my reputation, so I was commanded to sit next to him and his wife on the front pew before every service…if I sat in the back he would call me up in front of everyone.
I’ll never forget that.
Whatever mark for good I ever will make has his fingerprints on it.
Just goes to show the powerful impact (good or bad) a Leader, or anyone really, can have on someone’s life. Something we should take to heart for sure.
Scott,
Look at that list…risk, mentor, equip, and dispatch…and do it with passion.
Do it again, God…do it again…
I can remember how powerful an impact my friend Mike McIntosh, who died a couple of years ago, had on me when as a really messed up teen looked me in the eyes and told me that God loved me. That sticks with me to this day.
God loves me! I was pondering that today while driving a 40 ton truck and trailer down the highway. I still can’t get over the fact that God loves me. It is incomprehensible. Yet, I know it’s true.
Truly a man of God, I hope someday I can be like that in some small way.
praying for comfort
“… I was commanded to sit next to him and his wife” … there was a time when pastors sat next to their wives if they weren’t preaching, wasn’t there?
I had a mentor named Eli who very much resembles Marian in how you describe him. It leads me to believe that mentoring young men is one of the most important things we can do as we get closer to being called home. Like you and Marian, Eli is irrevocably stamped in my character. I pray that I will found worthy to have a similar impact on younger men in the future.
Michael,
My sympathies to you……
“I feel like I should have felt when my father died.”
I understand that all too well. It further complicates the issue and makes your loss all the more painful……….
May his memory be eternal.
Thanking the Lord for the mentoring couple He sent into my life. Michael thank you for this post. I’m going to send them an email tonight.
I’m confused…. I thought from the post he was a priest… “the Father” then you mentioned his wife… anyway… what a great tribute.
So many pastors wonder if they make a difference… obviously this one did
I’m sorry Michael. Because of your faithfulness his rewards have increased and yours will increase as you have encouraged others through a different medium. I pray God would bring you through this season stronger and refreshed. God bless.
The local pastor who faithfully tends his sheep is a giant in the kingdom of God.
Pastor was not a great preacher or teacher…I can’t remember any of his sermons.
What he had was the presence of Jesus like no one I’ve ever met.
I hope my brothers who toil in obscurity but with love and great faithfulness know how important they are…
One Sunday night he told me that I would be baptized in the Holy Ghost that very night.
I graciously said, “like hell I will”…
I explained to him that such things had ceased and I didn’t want to embarrass him so don’t try that laying of hands stuff on me.
This budding Calvinist wasn’t able to speak in his own tongue for two hours afterwards…
Oh Michael…
I am so sorry for your loss, and so blessed for his gain.
Praying for you tonight, dear friend.
~Nomans
Shaba! I love the guy….
If it’s okay, I’m going to delay LInkathon until Thursday. No time to work on it until tomorrow.
BrianD,
That will be fine… I know about hard schedules. š
Michael are you doing ok it has been a rather tough few days for you and yours / us? Do take care.
“Pastor was not a great preacher or teacherā¦I canāt remember any of his sermons.
What he had was the presence of Jesus like no one Iāve ever met.
I hope my brothers who toil in obscurity but with love and great faithfulness know how important they areā¦”
Michael,
so sorry to hear of this great loss, and that you didnt get to say goodbye,
I know how very difficult that is.
Oh but his life and legacy live on in you,
and the encouragement above to Pastors:
People will long remember what you do and their lives will be affected in that you cared
far beyond and above the forgotten messages you have preached…
One doesnt have to be a charismatic, flamboyant, energetic cutting edge Pastor to make a great influence in the lives of people for eternity, but they do have to care.
I only remember a couple words from a message in all of the 5 yrs I sat under a particular teacher:
“You know when you are loved”
as i stood there in the service, I thought long and hard about that
and realized how very right he was.
I knew my children loved me, I knew my grandparents had loved me.
even though they didnt say the words,,, I knew they loved me…
and I realized, If I knew the people who loved me,
yet I didnt know the people where i was in that service, loved me…
well then they must not…love me
so i left… that was the last time I ever attended church there
interestingly enough no one ever called or stopped by to see if I fell off the face of the earth… well, not to make a pity party,
But simply to make a point,
With out love,
all our words, even if we speak with the eloquence of men and angels
we are as clanging cymbals,
without love,
we can know all mysteries, have the gift of teaching/prophesy
have all faith, yet be nothing.
Michael,
Thank you for sharing of this dear man and his wife,
who were highly influential in your life,,,
not with eloquence and mastery of speech and teaching,
but the bond of love, the encouragement in Christ
that far exceeded lectures from a pulpit.
Praying Gods comfort and healing
for Trey, and for God to guide the medical staff precisely in your surgery
for a flawless procedure and rapid recovery.
Michael,
I’m so sorry for your loss, but rejoice with you for how our God used this wonderful man in your life (and many many others). May God comfort you as you mourn him…and I’m also praying for your upcoming surgery.
I am so sorry for your loss. I lost such a man in my life this year and I miss him everyday. Praying for your comfort and looking forward, as you, to the day we are all reunited in Christ face to face. What a celebration!
What a beautiful reflection on this wonderful pastor. Praying for you in this time of loss…
my pastor died last night in a road accident. am devastated. please pray for us.
Ann, I’m so sorry. Is there anything we can do?
Also, feel free to post this prayer request at https://phoenixpreacher.com/cms/?p=4454. There’s a community of people who will not only pray for you, but love on you. Please keep in touch.
Oh Ann … I’m so sorry to hear this … such a painful loss … please know many are praying for you & your church. Like BrianD mentioned … go to the link he posted … it leads to a great community of sweet … & wide variety people who love the Lord. And yes … keep in touch so we know how to pray for you …