ALL IS NOT LOST

Our church lost a good man yesterday.  God didn't call him home, but He did call Bob Arthur to Ecclesia College in Springdale, Arkansas.

As my favorite mentor always says..."God moves His people around".  This move smarted because we've served alongside Bob and know him to be a kind shepherd and faithful transmitter of God's word.

We will miss Pastor Bob.

I like kids so my favorite thing about Bob is his kid's sermon.  Sunday was no exception.  He sat down on the step with a sack chocked full of all kinds of balls.  The children were hooked.

As he took out each ball, he let different ones hold them as he asked what each one was.  "A football!"  "A baseball!"  They were stumped on the croquet ball.  Then he asked them if he could play basketball with a golf ball...or golf with a football.  "NOOO!" they all said emphatically.

He told the children that all the balls in the sack were different, but all were balls.  And God made a lot of people, but He made us all different and prepared us for different purposes.  He told them to listen to Jesus because they need to know why they were made.

After stepping on our lip after church, we began to see how Bob Arthur could be a huge blessing at Ecclesia.  It's a match; he will be terrific in the roles they need filling.  He has relational skills and a teaching heart.  Bob knows everyone in Northwest Arkansas and will be a great ambassador for the college as they grow.

Ecclesia is a work/learn college patterned after College of the Ozarks.  It is a way for kids to graduate with less than $6,000 debt.  Here is a
LINK to their site if you'd like to check it out.


I was encouraged by seeing some familiar names on their Board of Regents such as Eric Metaxas and David Barton and H.D. McCarty.  The Paris family was foundational in the beginning of the college and Twila Paris is Ecclesia's spokesperson.


Our church is trying to lean toward excitement for our pastor's new opportunities.  But we will really miss Bob and Sharna.


At first, it's scary to be without a pastor.  But then we feel our faith legs...and know that if the Lord has called Bob to another post, He has someone in mind for us, too.  


We're open if you know anyone who is looking for an opportunity in a little country church who loves the Lord.