Last Sunday Karen, the kids, and I worshipped at Tohatchi -- in the heart of the Navajo Nation. Pastor Jim Bostic has served this church for eleven plus years, and it shows. Though the crowd wasn't especially large, the impact of Jim's ministry was clear in the depth of several of his people.
Two in particular touched me. One was Alvin, who had recently lost his wife to Cancer. Honest in his grief, you could tell his struggle. And yet he was firm in his trust of the Lord. The reality of Romans 8:28 was all about him. His faith in the midst of loss is a testimony we all could learn from.
Another was Aaron. Aaron has surrendered to preach. In fact, with a word from God, he was off to preach at a nearby church that evening. He reminds me of Paul's words in 2 Timothy 2:2, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."
The growth seen in these men didn't happen overnight. It happened, at least in part, because a man of God (bivocational, by the way) did not simply pop in, pop off, and pop out; rather, he stayed for the long haul. Looking beyond Tohatchi you can see the same thing. The three strongest Native American works in Western Baptist Association share this experience: a long tenured pastor.
Whether you are a pastor or not, making disciples is not a quick and easy task. True life transformation happens because godly men and women invest their lives.
May we all be faithful for the long haul.
To His Glory!
Bro. Jim
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