Yesterday we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Western Hills. In the grand scheme of things, 20 years isn’t a long period of time. Merle Mees came back to preach the sermon. He was practically the founding pastor, stayed at WH for 14 years.
It was important to me for Merle to be here, just like it was important to me to have Danny Payne come back and preach a couple of weeks ago. Why? Given the recent history of WH, I thought it’d be a nice reminder to the church that even though the last couple of years were rough, we have a heritage of joy, laughter, lifechange stories, and existing for the purpose of others. Seeing Merle and Danny lifts our eyes up a bit to see that, I hope.
Secondly, both of these men deeply love Western Hills but they love Jesus more. Because of that, both guys said things that we needed to hear. Disciple people, invest in PEOPLE. Make a big deal out of JESUS, not your programs or buildings. Don’t be hostage to your past – either good times or bad. Have a vision to exist for those who aren’t in the building.
Both men are dear friends/mentors to me. Both have challenged me to love Jesus more when I hang out with them. Both are complete nut cases and goof offs. I’ve yet to leave a conversation with either of them both challenged and laughing. We got a taste of that this morning with Merle.
When the word got out that I was going to Western Hills, Merle Mees was one of the first guys to call me. Actually, he emailed me and said “Congratulations. Call me.”
Of course, Merle didn’t have his number anywhere in that email. I hit reply “Thanks, what’s your number?”
His reply back was “I’m number 1.”
When I finally got him on the phone, we rehashed the story…he told me some of his funniest moments…and right before we hung up, he gave me some of the best advice I’ve ever been given.
He basically said “Keep Jesus front and center. In your preaching and leading – sure. But personally – in your life, in your marriage. Really, really, really keep your love relationship with Jesus on the front burners. Nothing else really matters.”
As we were hanging up he asked me — “Can you believe we get to do this? I mean, it’s work and it’s long and it can be brutal but I’m convinced that there isn’t a better job on the planet.”
I think he’s right. And I’m glad God surrounds us with guys like Merle and Danny to keep reminding us of that.
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Merle emphatically put the punctuation at the end of the sentence we have been verbalizing . . . “make a big deal of Jesus” ; the rest He will put into proper place! So glad you have come to share in this “heritage of Joy” with us, Grant.
Allow Grant to glory only in the cross. God i see this man growing in the word and love for you. Thank you God for Grant and his family.