January 4, 2012

• West Texas Road Trip

  This coming Sunday, January 8, the Rainey family will be in two West Texas churches.

  On Sunday morning, we will be speaking at San Angelo First Nazarene. The pastor of the church is Rev. Don Ardrey. Don’s father, Dr. Sandy Ardrey (Pastor Sandy), was my first mentor in ministry in 1994 when I began as an associate pastor at Fort Wayne Lake Avenue Nazarene. He modeled an evangelistic and loving heart to me. I am so thankful for his example in my life. I told him that he was like another dad to me. After the passing of his wife in 2002, he began a relationship with a woman named Mary Berg. Interestingly, Mary was like a grandmother to me. In fact, when my own grandmother passed away, Mary said to me, “I would be glad to be another grandmother to you.” I started calling her “Grandma Mary” at that time. Well, before I left Fort Wayne to come to pastor in Houston, it was a great privilege to officiate the wedding of Sandy and Mary. During the wedding, I joked, “This feels just a little weird to me… I feel like my dad is marrying my grandma.” Pastor Sandy is now with Jesus. This weekend we will be staying with Grandma Mary.

  On Sunday night, we will be speaking at Odessa First Nazarene. The pastor of the church is Rev. Terry Pierce. Terry has been a great example (from afar) for me here in Texas. I have always respected his ministry. He is a man of God and a prayer warrior. It will be a great honor to preach in his church. Interestingly, while Odessa is not a common name for a city, there is an Odessa, Texas, AND an Odessa, Ukraine!

  Thanks for your prayers as we travel.

  • 9:25 am
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