“If any man’s work abide which he hath built there upon, he shall receive a reward.”
1 Corinthians 3:14 KJV
Thirty years ago, Pastor Washington came to this hamlet of Rockville Centre, called to be Pastor; Sent by God to Shiloh. This past June, we celebrated this milestone with a drive-by parade because COVID-19 Pandemic did not allow us to gather- but gather we did! Not ignoring the severity of COVID-19, we adorned our masks, decorated our cars, and lined up like obedient children, as we drove one behind the other, about 30 cars, through our church parking lot, honking our horns to letting the world knows, and our Pastor, that we love and appreciate him.
It was a memorable occasion because we had not been able to gather as a congregation, in-person, due to COVID-19, for some time, and we had not seen one another in weeks. Worship, as we knew came to a screeching halt, and we longed for one another: To see. To speak. To hug. To pray. To sing. To praise God. In some cases, just to exhale. How good it was to see each other again. I was not a member of Shiloh at the time Pastor Washington came, but word quickly spread that there was a man in town who could not only preach but also teach the word. Several Sunday mornings, in those days, I gathered my children and left my service because I was starving, craving what I knew the Lord had in store for me and went to Shiloh. And one Sunday, twenty-two years ago, I found myself walking down the aisle, joining fellowship with Shiloh. I have never looked back, and for twenty-two years, no longer the same, I have been growing in spiritual maturity. This testimony is not just unique to me. Many of you, I am sure have a similar, if not the same story. Down through these 30 years, we, Shiloh and Pastor, have shared many memorable occasions, and the one thing that has always remained constant is that we have been there for each other. Whether facilitating our marriages and weddings, or celebrating the life of our deceased, and burying our dead; whether blessing our babies, or our graduates going off to school, or higher education; whether visiting us in the hospital or praying for us when we were sick, our Pastor has not failed to be there for us. He has not failed to lead. He has not failed to be our example of faith. He has not failed to continue to preach or teach the word of God, in spite of the many challenges. He laughs with us and cries with us. Ours has not been a one-sided relationship, and to quote Pastor, “That’s what family does!”
In expressing appreciation for our Pastor during this season of Clergy Appreciation, I looked for the right words. It took me several days to sit down and begin writing because I wanted to say something profound about the work of a pastor. I wanted to be inspired to write something that perhaps had not yet been said, but there are no revelations about what a man of God has been called to do, or who a man of God is called to be. Nobody knows that better than the man himself. So, I came away with these words, when reflecting on our Pastor.
“For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good”
Luke 6:44-45 KJV
Having served with Pastor and being a disciple of this ministry, I believe that we, the Shiloh family, are the best testimonial to who our Pastor is because it has been his ministry that we aim to be like Jesus-Living Like Him-Serving Like Him- Giving like Him.
Having been called out of darkness himself, Pastor shines the light of God’s word every time he stands in our pulpit, to lead us out of darkness. Born again himself, he nurtures us through the life-giving, life-transforming word of God. Hungry himself, he feeds us the bread of life. Thirsty himself, he fills us with the living water that we may never thirst again. He is our pastor, but he is also our brother. He walks alongside of us, and not ahead of us. To me, our relationship with Pastor is much like Jesus’ relationship with his disciples. “What Manner of Man is this?” In Christ, our union with Pastor Washington is divine, and hereto set forth for the glory of God. The calling of the man of God is to preach, reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2); to watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist; make full proof of ministry (2 Timothy 4:5). God engineers everything. Wherever he puts us, our one great goal is to pour out a whole-hearted devotion to Him.
In doing so, it is not a job, but a labor of love. In this, Pastor Washington’s 30th Pastoral Year at Shiloh, and given this opportunity to extend our gratitude one more time for his self-less, obedient service, and love, all I can say is “Thank You Pastor Washington. We salute you. We love you too!”
Submitted by Deaconess Irene Gardon