DAVID BAKER
February 18, 2000 – my children were 16, 13, and 10. We won’t talk about my or Jerri’s age. We had just walked through the Y2K scare the previous New Year’s Day (remember that?). The evening before our first Sunday, I had not correctly ascertained the height of the portico compared to the height of the Ryder truck I had rented and left my indelible mark on the north side of that overhang. (A few years later, Garland Price joined me in the “hit the portico” wall of fame (or shame?) when he hit the south side with his RV.) That February 18th Sunday morning, as I was showing Roger Sharp what I had done, a sweet older lady that I can’t for the life of me remember who it was, walked by and said, “Hahaha! You’re going to be here a long time paying for that!”
And so began a wonderful time of worship, working together, sharing hearts, singing together, praising God and sharing God’s love with our community of Mustang and Yukon!
My Bible verse for today in my YouVersion Bible app is Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (NIV)
Look at the harvest God has blessed me with – all three of my children are married to spouses who love the Lord. We have four grandchildren with one more on the way. The many, many relationships made along the way are forever relationships. Time and space in this article prohibits me from mentioning countless other events, presentations, worship opportunities, times of celebration and times of mourning, times of joy as well as times of sorrow.
When you’ve been blessed to be able to be a servant for such an extended period of time, you are able to walk alongside many in the good times of life as well as the more difficult times. I have been able to be with so many of you as we’ve said, “I’ll see you later!” to some of the most precious of saints.
You also get to be a part of the thrills as well – I remember vividly a difficult pregnancy, a difficult birth to preemie twins, their difficult start in this life, but now to see those twins about to graduate from high school! And for each one I could mention, there’s a dozen others just as impacting and meaningful!
Certainly, God’s hand is the primary reason that I’ve enjoyed these past 20 years! But there also needs to be a gracious church who consistently loves and supports their staff! Your track record speaks volumes – Bro. Raymond: over 20 years; Randy Parsons: over 20 years; Bro. Dave: 25 years and counting; and now me with my 20-year anniversary! You don’t have that record of longevity without a church who loves their staff!
Thank you, God, and thank you, Chisholm Heights Baptist Church! Thank you for allowing me to be your Associate Pastor of Worship Ministries these past 20 years! And borrowing a line from a well-known Pastor and Orator: “It is a JOY to be your ‘Associate’ Pastor!”
Prai-“sing” Him! - David