Friday, February 19, 2010

A TRIBUTE TO A GREAT FRIEND


Through the years I have had the privilege of working with some incredible people. God's people are the best. I began my ministry as a youth pastor working with Dr. Robert Spence, an then went into pastoral ministry for approximately 20 years. Then I was asked by Rev. Gordon Matheny to oversee church planting in the Pen Florida District. For 9 years or so I helped start 100 churches across the State of Florida.

Gorden Matheny was an amazingly gifted and faithful servant of the Lord. He was a delight to work with and a great minister. He was serious about the things of the Lord, but he kept a sense of humor and could be a barrel of fun.

He kidded me unmercifully and once I commented to him that I had heard that when you tease someone it often means that you like them. With a twinkle in his eye He responded, "I wouldn't count on that."

We traveled literally thousands of miles together across the State of Florida and ministered in large and small churches and had countless meetings. Those were so fun years and hold many precious memories.

On Wednesday morning around 7 AM, my friend went to be with the Lord. He will be missed, but he has joined many others in heaven who are dear to me.

His memorial service will be in Tampa this Sunday evening. I will pay my respects to a great man who touched literally thousands of lives for Jesus.

Gordon Matheny was a great man.

3 comments:

  1. 've been following your for some time. Thank you for writing it.
    God Bless!
    Anna

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  2. Did you know we interview him for pastor after Dad Zink passed away. He was a great man.
    Rock

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  3. Got to know him briefly after he married my wife's Aunt, Florance! Sure wish I could have had a greater opportunity to really spend some time with him. His wife is living in Ottawa Canada, in the same building as a sister and close to another sister...God is good!

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