A few summers ago, while on our way to the North American Christian Convention, the crew I was traveling with spent the night in St. Charles, Missouri. Before heading on our way on Sunday morning we attended Harvester Christian Church. I was excited to attend Harvester for many reasons. Part of my excitement was being able to experience that growing church firsthand, but I also was looking forward to hearing Ben Merold preach again, which is always a treat.
I Was Impressed
As we pulled in to park, we were met by parking lot attendants. I was impressed. They were serving in the midst of the heat and humidity of early July, and did so with smiles and warm greetings. They directed us to a spot that was easier for our van to park in, opened the doors for us, and gave a personal greeting to each of us individually.
A Sermon Come to Life
What I saw next impressed me even more. Walking through the parking lot with a pitcher of ice water and a pot of coffee was Ben Merold himself. With the help of a young man, he was bringing drinks to the servants who were helping park cars. Even though the spoken Word I heard Ben share inside was wonderful, the living sermon I saw in the parking lot spoke even louder.
Ben Merold preached a living sermon in the parking lot that day and reminded all who saw him that we are all called to serve just as Jesus did. We are all commissioned to use our lives to the praise of his glory as we serve others. Jesus said in Matthew 20:26-28, “It will not be so among you, but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did come not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (New Revised Standard Version). |L
Kevin Ingram is the president of Manhattan Christian College. He and his wife Lisa have been married for 26 years and have two children: Lauren and Tyler. After graduating from MCC in 1986 he served in two different ministries in western Kansas before coming to work at MCC.
