MENTORED BY A PRO

After graduating from Roberts Wesleyan College, during the summer of 1973, I was hired by the campus Free Methodist Church as a summer intern - largely to follow up on Vacation Bible School families.  Richard Snyder - Associate Pastor - was my direct overseer.  Pastor V. J. Mannoia was the senior pastor.  

One day – to my great surprise – Dr.Mannoia announced that he would accompany me!  [This was a church of 1,500, so you can imagine my surprise.]  We made several visits together that day, but one stands out in my memory.  We were in the downtown area of Rochester, NY, in a residential area.  When we approached the door, we heard lots of children screaming – including a baby.

 A woman came to the door with her baby in her arms.  At least three other young children showed up as well, curiously peering around her at the strangers at the door.  Surprisingly, she invited us into her living room – which was, of course, a mess with children’s clothes and toys everywhere.  I told her who we were and why we were there.  She talked about how much the children enjoyed the Bible School.  But the children were so disruptive!  I didn’t know how to handle it.  It was chaotic!  Seeing my distress, Dr. Mannoia took the lead.  He simply told her that he would love to see her family some Sunday at Pearce and that we had Sunday School that would take care of her children the same as the VBS had.  He told her that we didn’t want to intrude on her time anymore and asked if he could pray with her.  I thought:  “Is he nuts?  How in the world are we ever going to have a prayer in this chaos?”

 She agreed to the prayer.  Dr. Mannoia then sat on the floor and placed the children strategically between me, him and their mother.  He spoke gently, firmly and kindly to the children telling them that we were going to talk with Jesus.  He had us hold hands.  Then, he led in a one-minute prayer and named each of the children in his prayer as well as the mother!  I was astonished at how smoothly it went.  Then, we got up and left!  And I realized that I had just seen a master at work! 

THE CALL - PART 1

I was 16.  My home church was having its annual, fall revival.  They had arranged to have Reverend Glenn Hughes return to be the evangelist.  Glenn had been pastor at New Brighton when I was a little boy.

I had loved him.  He called me "Hoppy" - partly because my last name was Haire, and partly because I wore a knit cap with Hop-a-Long-Cassidy on it!  He invited me to call him "Uncle Hoppy".  We had a special relationship!  At the young age of four, if anyone asked me what I wanted to be, my answer was "a preacher, like Uncle Hoppy."

I was struggling in my relationship with God.  My commitment through the  teen years had been inconsistent.  At 16, I was in my senior year of high school.  I had been accepted at Roberts Wesleyan College, Greenville College, Clarion State College, and Slippery Rock College.  I didn't know which to attend.

I had no clear direction about my future vocation.  Since I had some obvious ability to sing, I was considering studying music.  Also, because of good reading skills and a strong voice, I was considering broadcasting.

The revival came.  Night after night I sat in the back with the youth.  Late in the revival, during the invitation, I felt God dealing with me strongly.  I trembled as I resisted. 

Finally, I stepped out and walked to the altar.  I confessed to God: 

Lord,

I have not been faithful to You.  I'm sorry!  I'm tired of this up-and-down spirituality!  I'm here tonight to let You know that I'm Yours forever! 

Now, I'm sure I'll sin again and screw-up;  but I promise You that when I realize it, I will always return to You.  I'm Your man for the rest of my life!

Amen.

That was it!  I meant it! 

And in an instant, I knew that God was calling me to be a pastor!  I had no doubt.  It was crystal clear! 

My anxiety was gone!  I decided to go to Roberts Wesleyan College and study to be a pastor!

TRAIN UP A CHILD!

Proverbs 22:6 (NASB)
Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.

I turned 17 at the end of January, 1969.  I graduated from high school in early June.  I immediately left for Philadelphia to live with my brother and his wife for the summer.  He had arranged for me to be a helper in his father-in-law's roofing and heating business.  While there, I attended the Willow Grove Free Methodist Church with their family.

In August, I drove to Rochester, New York, for orientation at Roberts Wesleyan College, where I began classes in September.  I was assigned to live in Carpenter Hall - a large four-floor men's dorm.  The first Sunday morning, I remember wondering why I was the only one up getting ready for Sunday School. 

I loved breakfast on Sundays at RWC!  They would fix anything you wanted!  I think it was largely because so few came out for breakfast.

I attended Sunday School and worship at the Pearce Memorial Free Methodist Church - a much larger congregation than I was used to (about 1500).  I was surprised that they didn't have a class for college students. 

I was pretty quickly noticed and asked to teach a Sunday School class of fourth and fifth grade boys.  I taught that class (except summers) for two years. 

I loved worshipping with so many people!  It was exciting! 

After graduation, I was hired by Dr. V. J. Mannoia (senior pastor) to be a 'Pastoral Apprentice' for the summer!  I worked under the direct supervison of Richard Snyder (associate pastor and later, bishop).  I went home to New Brighton, Pennsylvania in early August (1973) to be married!

LARRY NORMAN

When I was elected Religious Life Director at Roberts Wesleyan College, I knew I wanted to bring some great, Christian music to the campus.  It was 1971.

I used a large portion of my budget to bring the original Christian 'rocker' to the campus - the late, Larry Norman.  I remember that it cost $1500 to book him (plus airfare and accomadations).  That was an unheard of amount of money for that time!

When Larry arrived, I had him scheduled in classes and at events, with a major concert at Pearce Memorial Free Methodist Church for Friday night.  He was very pleasant to be around and cooperated with our plans 100%.

Friday, after a full day of events, I scheduled some free-time for Larry - thinking he might like to rest before the big, evening concert.  I found out later
that he hitch-hiked into Rochester (with his guitar) and sang and ministered on the streets all afternoon!

That evening, after a big introduction and enthusiastic welcome, he humbly walked out on the platform.  He put his guitar case on the floor, opened it, took out his guitar and stepped to the microphone.  He sang a song and when the applause broke out, he simply stood with his head down and his hand raised - using the famous "One-Way' sign to point to his Lord and give Him the glory.

He sang for two hours sometimes using his guitar and several times slipping to the piano!  It was one of the greatest evenings of my life!  His faith was genuine, his music passionate, and his example was effective!

He's singing in Heaven now:  "Why should the devil have all the good music?"

NOT A QUARTET, BUT...

When I arrived at Roberts Wesleyan College, my dreams were crushed.  That very year, they decided to stop sending a male quartet to represent the school at summer camps, conferences, and churches.  I was so disappointed.

A new director in the music department wanted the school to be represented by a higher quality of singers.  However, he had not yet developed the program to be able to do so.

At the time the school had SOS (Student Outreach Service) groups that formed spontaneously and were sent out by the Development Office to do ministry throughout the year.

I had been recruited by one of these groups.  We had traveled throughout my freshman year on many weekends.  We called ourselves 'The Reflections'.  The core of the group had been a trio of women and a pianist.  They decided to add a drummer, a tenor and a bass. 

As the summer of 1970 approached, the college was left without a plan for representation at camps and conferences across the eastern area.  A reluctant decision was made to choose one of the SOS groups and send them out for the summer.

Yep!  'The Reflections' were chosen!  A folk group.  The new music department director was not very happy about the decision. 

We were a big change from the male quartets that had previously visited the camps.  Our drums were not always welcomed.  Our PA system was not always welcomed.  Having a group of men and women traveling together raised some eyebrows. 

But we loved Jesus and were determined to make an impact for Him!  Youth groups responded very favorably!  We used our creativity to win the hearts of the younger people.  We made a pact that one of us would attend every prayer meeting at these camps.  Usually several of us would do so. 

The college was inundated with letters of appreciation for our ministry!  However, we were the only folk group ever sent out to represent the school. 

Sometimes your dreams come true - but not exactly the way you hoped...