This is a true story.
The names have not been changed because there is no one innocent to
protect (see Romans 3:23). It had been
quite an eventful year. I had graduated
from the largest accredited Protestant seminary in the world in May. I was voted on (and approved) to serve as an
Associate Pastor in Wichita, KS; my first full time (paid) ministry
position. I got married in August. So here I am with my Masters Degree, a new
job, a new wife… and no idea what in the Wide World of Sports to do. I am in way over my head. However, God was in control and sent me to a
church that had their troubles, as it seems all do, but they were kind and
patient with me. The Senior Pastor liked
me and was a wonderful mentor helping me learn the ropes.
It was Single Adult Sunday.
We were trying to grow our ministry to single adults. I had been looking forward to the day. The single adults would lead in the morning
worship service. We would follow the
service with a fellowship lunch (a typical Baptist tradition). I taught the Single Adult Sunday School
class. We were having our morning coffee
fellowship just before I would begin the lesson and there he was.
The doorway seemed to be filled with his presence as the
entire class was drawn to his entrance.
He was tall with a white three piece suit. He wore no necktie but he had a plethora of
gold necklaces draped around his neck.
If this were not before his time, he would have reminded everyone of Mr.
T except for two things. Mr. T was
bald. This guy had a huge afro and black
beard. Secondly, Mr. T was black. This guy was white. I noticed one of the women in the class was
visibly distressed with his appearance so I asked if she was OK. She came to the church from a life of drug
addiction and had a terrified look as she told me, “I recognize the jewelry, he is and angel of the Devil!” I found out later that she snuck out and
smoked a joint in the parking lot to calm her nerves. That may have been the first medical marijuana
usage in the US. No matter, I was on
staff and it was my class so, I walked up and introduced myself and invited him
in to join us. He smiled and told me his
name was Barry. He enjoyed the free
coffee and pastries and seemed to enjoy the class.
Since the singles were leading worship I had the opportunity
to sit with my new bride. We were on the
back row, her preferred spot, as the service was about to begin. She turned and noticed him standing at the
rear entrance and was clearly startled and asked, “Who is that?” At least she
didn’t sneak out for a joint. I had
about the same level of maturity then as now so I answered, “He is an angel of the Devil but it’s OK, he
was in my Sunday School class.” Surprisingly enough she still loves me although after 38 years I still have not matured much beyond continuing with such remarks.
Barry stayed for the fellowship dinner and had a lively
conversation with the senior pastor and me.
He told us that he couldn’t understand why people seemed to shy away
from him. Clyde, the senior pastor, was
bold enough to tell him that his dress (the white suit and jewelry) and his
huge afro were quite different from the way most people around there
looked. Barry smiled and said, “If my hair is a problem then I can change
that.” He took off the huge afro wig
to expose a shiny bald head. Needless to
say Barry was quite a different character than most of the folks we ran across
in Wichita, Kansas.
However, I learned a great deal as God seemed to lead Barry
to us. We found out that Barry had
family in Arizona. He had received an
injury that caused brain damage and received a monthly disability check. Other than the brain injury that affected his
personality, he had consumed quite a large number of drugs in his day and that
seemed to also affect his personality and thinking process. However his family assured that he was not a
danger to anyone and he enjoyed a life of wandering over the country. They were grateful for our update on his
whereabouts. We discovered that he was
very childlike and as we reached out to him I believe that for the first time
in his life he heard and understood (as much as was possible for him) the
Gospel. Barry professed his faith in
Jesus and we baptized him as he became an active member of our church.
Barry was admittedly not good with his monthly check so
Clyde agreed to help him by keeping his money and give him a daily
allowance. Clyde kept strict records of
these transactions and asked me to be a third party witness so there would be
no question of impropriety. He was truly an interesting addition to our
church family. Among other things, he
was the first male member of our choir with ear rings to my knowledge. Barry seemed quite at home until one day he
came into the church office and told us that it was time for him to move
on.
He thanked us graciously for leading him to know Jesus and
helping him with his money and other areas of his life. Barry told Clyde that he wanted to give him
some money to express his appreciation.
Clyde refused saying that the fact that we had helped him was reward
enough. However, Barry insisted and
Clyde finally said, “If it is important
that you do this that is fine. Do what
you think you need to do and I’ll donate it back to the church.” Barry smiled and gave Clyde $50. We shook hands and bid him a fond farewell as
he drove out of the parking lot. We had
not been back in Clyde’s office very long when Barry returned and said, “You know, I got to thinking and I may need
that $50.” We all smiled as Clyde
returned the money and we watched Barry drive off into the next adventure that
God had for him…and to whomever God would lead him.
I share this story because it taught me several things that
I hope will be helpful to you. First,
God has all sorts of children in this world.
If we will be open to those who may be a little different we can truly
be used of God to help one another along in this journey of life. Second, “Never
be afraid of anything from God.” That was a phrase that Clyde taught me. We may encounter things in life that we have
not learned about in a book or class, I never learned about anyone like Barry
in seminary, but if we will be open to what God brings us and respond in love
and trust we may allow God to open some doors to wonderful experiences of faith
and love in our lives and the lives of others that we could not imagine. Finally, I am reminded that there is always
hope when we place our faith in God. If ‘an angel of the Devil’ could find a life
changing relationship with the love of Jesus there may be hope for anyone.
Press On!
