Refreshing The Body and Spirit
Pastor Harold Bare and Laila needed time away. Good things are happening, but distance affords reflection, rest, prayer, and perspective. Not having been to the Northwest of the United States they chose this location. In speaking with Bishop Baker of Virginia they shared their desire to meet and encourage some pastors as they traveled.
Bishop Baker called Bishop Robinson who supervises North and South Dakota and Montana. Bishop Robinson and Carla, his wife, invited the Bares stay in their home the second night. A plan evolved that included the desire of the Bares to take pastoral couples out to eat, give them a copy of the Bares’ just-released book, A Month of Sundays, and give them some money. Bishop Robinson offered to compensate for the book (offered at a reduced cost by the Bares). Bishop Baker volunteered to pay for meals and match a $50 gift given by individuals of Covenant Church.
Bishop Robinson detailed a schedule that included scenic roads, parks, and other places of interest, dotted along the way with meetings with pastoral couples. The Bares drove to Washington, D.C., flew to Minneapolis (flight tickets for only $200 each), and rented a car (unlimited mileage)—good thing, the car mileage was over 2,000.
As of this writing, June 12, the Bares are routing back through Aberdeen, South Dakota, heading for the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport on the 13th. One more meeting with a pastor on site. Twenty-five Church of God pastoral couples have spent time with the Bares. Additional meetings with pastors of an Assembly of God and a Church of God of Prophecy make the number 27.
Time with pastors has included listening, giving counsel, encouraging, and, of course, sharing the book and gift. Already the Assembly of God pastor has responded saying A Month of Sundays was read in one sitting, and it came at the time he needed it…very relevant to his ministry.
One visit was with a 69 year-old woman pastor on LaKota Indian Sioux Reservation. She came to the reservation as a school teacher, contracted by the Department of Indian Affairs 40 years ago—the only time before or since such contracts have been offered. Never married, she was diagnosed with a fatal kidney disease before the contract. In time she came to realize her need of more than she had experienced…and concluded her need was not a husband. She gave her heart to Jesus, resigned school teaching, and has been pastor of a Church of God on the reservation for 20 years.God miraculously healed her of the kidney disease. A native Oklahoman and African American, she is deeply respected in the largest context of the reservation. She is also an inspiration to pastors who know her far beyond the borders of the reservation.
When the Bares presented the $100 gift to her she responded: “This will be such a blessing to help me go to camp meeting.” Her eyes were teary as she shared of the loneliness that can afflict pastors separated by many miles, with limited income, and facing high gas prices.
On the same day the Bares visited Pastor Ruby Beckman age 90. She calls herself a “Lay Pastor”, while having been the only pastor of a church for 20 years. The church of some 12 persons was going to be closed. Ruby and her husband had given up pastoring churches after he had health problem reducing him to a wheel-chair. Her parents were elderly. The Beckmans moved to South Dakota so Ruby could care for her parents and her husband. In addition, Ruby taught public school. In time her dad died.
When Ruby was told a church could close because of lack of a pastor, she offered to serve as an interim pastor. Her husband had to be moved by wheel-chair to the car, where he could help himself get in. Off to church they would go…about 25 miles. After three or four years of Ruby pastoring, her husband died. Then her mother died. Ruby continued on as “interim” pastor! Six months ago she gave up driving. Someone picks her up for church. She still stands to preach her sermon.
Last year Pastor Ruby led her congregation of about 12 people to give $16,000 to world missions. She says giving to missions keeps her going. It is a reason to live. They have mission projects not yet completed. She says they are not heroes, not doing anything big, just being faithful. When she saw her monetary gift, she exclaimed: “I know where it will be going!” “Sister Ruby, at least you could use part of it to buy yourself a new dress.” “I really don’t need a new dress. I don’t need anything. But I know where this will be a blessing!”
The Bares are coming home with stories to tell. Oh, they have seen buffalo, antelope, deer, pheasant, and wondrous natural sights, but the real refreshment and song in their hearts is of heroes of faith that are yet being written into the Halls of Fame in Heaven.
As they traveled, they left this scripture with the faithful pastors of this vast territory: “The work is great and scattered, and we are separated on the wall, one far from another. In whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” Nehemiah 4:19b, 20
Dr. Harold and Laila Bare
Charlottesville, Covenant
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