NETWORKING

The Apostle Paul was a consummate networker.  The evidence for this is in his last chapter to the Romans [16].

3-5 Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila, who have worked hand in hand with me in serving Jesus. They once put their lives on the line for me. And I’m not the only one grateful to them. All the non-Jewish gatherings of believers also owe them plenty, to say nothing of the church that meets in their house.

 Hello to my dear friend Epenetus. He was the very first follower of Jesus in the province of Asia.

6 Hello to Mary. What a worker she has turned out to be!

7 Hello to my cousins Andronicus and Junias. We once shared a jail cell. They were believers in Christ before I was. Both of them are outstanding leaders.

8 Hello to Ampliatus, my good friend in the family of God.

9 Hello to Urbanus, our companion in Christ’s work, and my good friend Stachys.

10 Hello to Apelles, a tried-and-true veteran in following Christ.

Hello to the family of Aristobulus.

11 Hello to my cousin Herodion.

Hello to those who belong to the Lord from the family of Narcissus.

12 Hello to Tryphena and Tryphosa—such diligent women in serving the Master.

Hello to Persis, a dear friend and hard worker in Christ.

13 Hello to Rufus—a good choice by the Master!—and his mother. She has also been a dear mother to me.

14 Hello to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and also to all of their families.

15 Hello to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas—and all the followers of Jesus who live with them.

After forty plus years in the ministry, I understand his desire to acknowledge the many who joined hands with him in spreading the gospel and growing the church!

My letter would be similar:

Hello to Gene and Betty and their family who fed us in their home and encouraged us.  The same to Carl and Elizabeth!  [Tunnel Hill /FMC]

Hello to Russ and Vicki who encouraged us by their newly discovered faith and spiritual gifts!  Greetings also to Goldie and Howard and Evanelle - prayer warrior and hard workers for Christ!   [Jeannette FMC]

Greetings to Frank and Leah, Don and Shirley, and Mike and Karen - couples who strengthened our hands and filled us with joy early in our ministry!  [McClellandtown FMC]  Also to Delbert and Peggy who shared their wisdom with us so freely!

Blessings on David and Karen, Ron and Marilyn, Betty and Mary, whose enthusiasm for God added to our efforts and enriched the church!  [Oakland FMC]  Also to Howard, Heidi, Amy and the many other new believers whose transformed lives ignited new passion for the Lord.  Also, greetings to Raeanne, Ed, Chris and the other young people who accepted the Call and advanced the Gospel!

Deep gratitude to Chip and Debby, Ken and Anna, Skip and Donna and Don and Sandy and the faithful ones who accepted us, worked with us during the short time we were in Spencerville, MD. 

Thanksgivings to our families who made room for us in our weariness, gave us vacations in your back yards, were patient with us in our distress and prayed for us every step of the way!  You were God's special gift to us! 

Greet Brenda and Jim who mentored us and shared ministry with us at Akron - Cornerstone!  And to the many men who sat at tables with us studying God's Word:  Dave, Gary, Steve, Ron, and so many more!   You encouraged us by your hunger and desire to be godly men!

Greetings to those from New Middletown who joined us in making the church relevant to its community:  Linda, Rhoda, Bob, Justin, Liz, Holly, Zonda, Bill, Dave, Laurie, Sarah...What a time we had as new believers came to faith in Christ so regularly!  PTL!

Special greetings to our team in Changchun!  Randy, Jessica and Hannah;  Marie;  members of Life Stone Fellowship;  ULS partners!   What an amazing three years we had together!  All glory to God! 

Kittanning friends - Hello!  Our time was short, but God was igniting hearts!  Blessing on you, Lois, Barkers, Matt and Kelly, Glenn and Alice!  May God continue to strengthen all of you.   

Ministry is a team sport!  

Romans 14:7-8 (NIV) 

"None of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.  If we live, we live to the Lord;  and if we die, we die to the Lord.  So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."   

The Apostle Paul had his teammates and I had mine!  He was grateful for his;  I am grateful for mine. 

NOTE:  My memory isn't what it used to be.  If I omitted your name, forgive me, please.  This is a simple blog article and was not intended to be comprehensive.   I hope to soon publish my memoirs - you may enjoy reading them when they come out!   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Job Searching #2

While in Akron, we essentially held down two full-time jobs:  Shelter Care and Cornerstone FMC.  When we moved to New Middletown, we dropped nearly $1,500 of income per month!  Again, it was essential that Debbie find a job to supplement the family income!  I moved to New Middletown first alone;  the family followed about six weeks later.

Upon her arrival, Deb immediately went to the Springfield Local Administration building to apply for work as a teacher's aid.  That day, it just so happened that the elementary school secretary was filling in at the high school for the day.  Her name is Diane, and Debbie and I have known her casually through the years since she used to attend the New Middletown Free Methodist Church.  As they chatted, Debbie told her that she was there to apply for a teacher's aid position.  It was late July.

No positions became available and we were disheartened.

Then, the first day of school arrived.  The Learning Disability Class teacher - Cindy - came to the elementary school office to report that her aid had not reported for work.  Upon contacting her they found that she had no plans to return for the new school year.  The elementary school principle and the learning disability class teacher were in an immediate dilemma!

At that moment, Diane remembered seeing Debbie at the Administration Offices back in late July.  She told the principle about Debbie, giving her a very high recommendation!  He suggested that Diane call Debbie immediately to see if she was still looking for work.

When Diane's call came, she told Debbie about the situation at the school.  She asked if Debbie would like the position and if she could begin the next day. With great joy and excitement, Debbie accepted the position and reported for work the next morning.  She was Cindy's aid for nine years until we left for China.  Her friendship with Cindy (and the other teachers) have become so meaningful to Debbie (and me).  She literally loved the job and the children that she worked with over the years.

JOB SEARCH TIP #2
When you put your application in, be friendly and speak to as many people in that workplace as you can - especially people you know!