A Man of Inspiration...

I heard about a local man this weekend that I had to write about. You will have to read it all to get what was so amazing. I was at the Toyota dealership getting my oil changed when I met a local high school football coach. He was an incredibly friendly man who made my time there go by quickly. Our conversation turned to church and he told me about his new pastor. He felt called into ministry years ago. He studied theology and eventually gained his Master's Degree. The church that he was a part of still would not ordain him. He went on to write a book, but his church still would not ordain him. A small local church here was looking for a new pastor and got in contact with him. After joining the church, he was ordained and is currently the pastor there. Recently, there were some kids riding their skate boards in front of the church, and he went out to talk to them. He introduced himself as Justin and asked if they attended church. They said they did not, so he followed it up with another question. "What would get you interested in coming to church?" The boys responded that they would attend if there was a paintball course involved. Pastor Justin has just purchased 13 acres behind the church and is looking into what it would take to put a paintball course and a few other things on it. He is willing to do whatever it takes to make a connection with people. He has also walked around the neighborhood, sometimes by himself, and introduced himself to everyone within 3 miles of the church. He can often be found playing tennis on the Nintendo Wii with the youth group of this church. The most amazing part of him visiting so many on his own and playing tennis on the Wii, is the same reason his original church would not ordain him. He is completely blind. What many would see as a handicap, has not slowed this man down one bit. His heart just wants to make an impact for God, and nothing will stop him. In the words of the football coach, "If you want to see something hilarious, you should see a blind pastor trying to play tennis on a Wii." There is a lot that can be learned from this man. Never give up on what you have been called to do, and no matter what, loving people is the best way to change lives.