Pastor's Perspective - Dr. Forrest Pollock

Dear FCC Family & Friends,

You never know when you’re making a beautiful memory.

Five years ago while I was persevering through a challenging season in my life, I had the opportunity to meet and spend time with a great man of God – Dr. Forrest Pollock. Forrest, 44, was the lead pastor of Bell Shoals Baptist Church, a 7,000-member mega-church near my hometown of Tampa.

I was introduced to Dr. Pollock by Bob Anderson, one of his wonderfully dedicated staff pastors. Graciously, the pastor agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to meet with me. He met me with a huge contagious smile at the door of his palatial office, hugged me and made me feel like a friend from the old neighborhood. He listened to me, nodded along kindly, encouraged me lovingly from the Word and did something that tattooed itself into my memory. Wearing a nice pressed business suit, Dr. Pollock stood up, walked across the office and kneeled down on the carpet and prayed for me. Here was a shepherd of thousands taking time to love on a fellow brother in the cause, hitting his knees on my behalf – and I’m not even a Baptist!

Five months ago I thought about what that day meant to me and the deep lasting positive impression it left in my soul. I emailed Dr. Pollock and expressed my heart-felt gratitude, a victory letter of how blessed I was ministering to a great congregation in northern California; a letter that was soon read by thousands in the monthly Bell Shoals newsletter. I just had to tell him how a few minutes of his time, and a humble prayer of intercession preached a message I’ll never ever forget.

Today, three thousand miles away, your pastor is mourning with the family of believers of Bell Shoals Baptist Church. Their beloved pastor and his 13-year-old son Preston perished in a private plane accident in the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina on Monday morning.

Friends, you never know when you’re making a beautiful memory.

If someone out there made one for you, please take a moment and say thanks while you can.

In the Fight,

Steve

Pastor's Perspective - Bubble Gum Heroes

Dear Family & Friends,

Are you somebody’s hero today?

Last night our 8-year-old son Sam thoroughly entertained us. His play as a team member of the undefeated (11-0) little league Twins had his family’s undivided knee-slapping attention. Admittedly, the kid is pretty good. But what really entertained us was that throughout his game, Sam had a large wad of bubble gum in his mouth. Throughout the six innings of regulation play, Sam whether at bat or fielding, chewed, blew big bubbles and popped away. I have to admit, seeing my boy out there chompin away all chipmunk-cheeked took me back a few years. My heart swelled with pride – a Daddy thing I guess! It was clear to all of us that my kid has watched many of his big league heroes doing this on television, and last night was his opportunity to imitate them and shine.

As much as we laughed at Sam, it was a good reminder for me and one worth passing along to you – that our children are looking for heroes to imitate; and that their observations have laser clarity.

As a kid my heroes went from sports stars to rock stars and back to sports stars. As an adult my heroes shifted to heroes of the faith (biblical and contemporary) and those who heroically and courageously wear our stars and stripes. Most real heroes I’ve found are only known by a relative few. They humbly live dedicated and content lives, selflessly serving a higher cause by sacrificially serving others. Their quiet integrity is unquestionable, and their definitions of true success always substitute “I” with “We”. They are known not by their flashy skyrocket ascents, but by their consistency and ability to attain and maintain an altitude. The Bible is filled with them, and “real-life” too, if you’ll stop and look.

I believe strongly that the Lord is calling each of us (especially as parents, grandparents and guardians) to be people worth looking up to and worth imitating. Even the apostle Paul encouraged his readers to follow him as he followed Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). For you see, it’s only as we personally know and fall-in behind Jesus that we become people worth following.

Chew on that!

In the Fight,

Steve Kiefer