Faith of Our Fathers

by Jeff Goodman

Life is a precious gift we often take for granted. I have said hundreds of times while preaching, “You only get one life, so make it count.” I often ponder my own life and wonder if I will make a difference in this grand world. I know God has a purpose and plan for my life. It is to that calling—to that still small voice of the Lord—that I desire to be faithful.

Three years ago, I felt the call to plant a new church in the West, and my heart was torn by the new direction God had for me. I had pastored Homerville FWB Church ten years, and it was a wonderful time of ministry in my life. I loved the people and the friends I made during my time in Georgia. Yet, I knew in my heart it was time to move on, to put my faith in God for the next chapter of our lives.

As we traveled to raise support, I continually saw God’s faithfulness and the faithfulness of His people. I truly dreaded asking people for financial support, but as I began to share the vision of what God had called us to do in Marana, Arizona, my dread turned to pure joy and excitement.

You see, people were not only supporting us, they were partnering with us in this ministry. Every person who prays for us or helps us financially shares a vital part in what God is doing in Arizona. It is difficult to ask good folks for money to do something that may or may not succeed, but the success of this work must be left in the Lord’s hands. We often measure success differently than God does. I want to do what is important to God, and not what is important to me.

The last two years in Marana have been amazing—meeting new people and seeing God at work in their lives. As I think back, I am amazed at God’s faithfulness, and I am reminded of the words of the old hymn, “Faith of our Fathers:”

Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto thee;
And through the truth that comes from God
Mankind shall then indeed be free.
Faith of our fathers! Holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!

Yet, while this year has been awesome, it has also been tragic at the same time, a roller coaster ride of emotions. I have not only experienced spiritual highs but the lowest of lows. My father passed away unexpectedly on October 10, 2011, and I have been dealing with the subsequent grief since.

I will never forget the night before my father passed away. I received a phone call from my brother Rod. He told me Dad had been taken to the hospital and had most likely suffered a heart attack. I spoke to my dad a little later that night, and he said, “Son, don’t worry, and don’t come home yet. I’m going to be fine. I love you.”

I trusted my father’s words completely. As a matter of fact, I slept like a baby that night until the ring of the phone shattered the early morning darkness, and I learned my dad had gone into eternity. I ran onto the balcony and cried out to God in my deep loss, desiring to be home with my mom as quickly as possible, but finding myself 2,500 miles away. I felt helpless and didn’t know what to do.

My dad was neither a pastor nor a missionary. He was simply a hardworking man who retired from the Illinois Central Railroad after 42 years. He worked the same job from the time he graduated high school until retirement. In all of those years, he never missed a single day of work—no matter how sick he was. Dad was someone to be counted on.

He and my mom were married 49 years. They would have celebrated their 50th anniversary in April. He always made sure we attended church faithfully, learning about God and His love. Mom and four kids always had food, shelter, and clothing, even when dad’s clothes were worn, and his shoes had holes in them. He taught us life skills we would need as adults—budgeting, commitment, paying bills on time, working hard, and making wise decisions.

My father was not a perfect man, but he was Dad. He loved his family, and he was faithful to provide for our needs. I still miss him, and some days the smallest of things remind me of him: every time a train goes by, or when the St. Louis Cardinals are playing. Tears spring to my eyes unexpectedly, but I always remember his words during our last conversation, “Son, don’t worry and don’t come home yet. I will be fine. I love you.”

In my heart, I promise Dad that I will keep on working here in this old world. Because of my earthly father’s model of faithfulness to God, our Heavenly Father, I will strive to make a difference for my family and for God. My prayer and promise is the same as that written long ago, “And through the truth that comes from God, mankind shall then indeed be free. Faith of our Fathers, holy faith. We will be true to thee till death!”

About the Writer: Illinois native Jeff Goodman pastored in Georgia 10 years before moving to Marana, Arizona, to plant The Springs FWB Church. Learn more about The Springs at www.homemissions.net.