Tribute to Pastor Stan

March 12, 2018
4 min read

How do you even begin to describe a man such as this? Someone who has left a profound impact on almost everyone who knew and loved him.

When I think of Pastor Stan, the word ‘grace’ immediately comes to mind.  Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines grace a few different ways, such as “simple elegance or refinement of movement; a period officially allowed for payment of a sum due or for compliance with a law or condition; In Christian belief, the free, unmerited favor of God…”.

And it was by this that Pastor Stan lived his life – the free, unmerited favor that God had bestowed on him.  This meant that he, along with his wife Lori, was able to share in some of the most joyous, happy occasions in a person’s life, but it also meant he was called to step into some of the most heartbreaking circumstances and deepest hurts that life can bring, coming alongside those who were in the midst of incredible suffering.  Though this was a source of great pain and grief for him, it is also where God’s unmerited favor (grace), truly shined in Pastor Stan.

I know this because I experienced it firsthand.  It didn’t matter if it was a ‘simple’ case of daily, chronic pain that was giving me a particularly hard time, or some unexpected, often traumatic surgery/prolonged hospital stay, Pastor Stan (Lori too) would be there, whether in person, via email, phone call, etc., to provide an encouraging word – from HIS Word – to help get me through.  To be honest, sometimes not too many words were said – only prayer and worship were sufficient to express what words could not.  Pastor Stan knew how to bring comfort and peace when it was needed most.

He had a sense of humor that often left me in stitches (literally and figuratively).  There was hardly a time during any of our visits when I wasn’t left smiling and feeling like my heart could burst with joy.

When I saw Pastor Stan just over 2 weeks ago, little did I know it would be the last time I would see him on this side of eternity.  He had stopped by the Foothills Hospital, just in time to see me sitting up on the edge of my bed for the first time in 6 weeks.  The joy on his face at seeing this is something I will never, ever forget!! After I had gotten settled back into bed, we talked about the Hope of Heaven, imagining what it will be like to walk streets of gold, run with the angels, and share stories with those we loved who have gone on before us.  His eyes lit up with sheer joy at the pure mention of being reunited with his sweet daughter Jayda again!  What a day, glorious day that will be!

And now, Pastor Stan knows firsthand what Heaven is really like.

As the shock of Pastor Stan’s sudden departure to Heaven wears off, those of us who loved him so much are left to grieve a tremendous loss, and it will be felt for some time.  The reality that he won’t be at church on Sunday morning anymore, greeting everyone with a beaming smile, hasn’t set in yet.  We were not ready for this.  We were not ready to let him go. This is hard.

And yet, we have a Peace that surpasses all understanding to fill our hearts and minds!  In the midst of such grief, He is Our Peace.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this Peace is free and available to anyone who asks! If you don’t know my Jesus, I pray that you find Him…He’s waiting to welcome you with open arms if you just cry out to Him, repent of and turn away from your sin, and make HIM the Lord of your life.

Thank you, Pastor Stan, for your faithful service to your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! No one will ever be able to fill your shoes quite so well.

Now, my friends, it is our turn.  Let us carry the Torch that has been passed on and run the race with endurance until we, too, cross the Finish line and hear the words I know Pastor Stan heard the moment he stepped into Heaven…” Well done, My good and faithful servant.”

How will you share the Good News of Jesus today?

“Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endures the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

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