Gordon Rumford Ministries

Some years ago I became involved in encouraging a fine young man whose church did not preach the Gospel. He demonstrated some potential and so I worked with him to bring him to faith in Christ. He went on well with the Lord but soon after our paths diverged and I did not see him for some years.

It was a delightful surprise to encounter him again and get caught up on his activities over the past while. It seems that soon after we parted ways he sensed the Lord calling him to ministry. He went to university and to seminary and went into the work of serving the people of God.

When I met him he was the pastor of a large and thriving congregation. How happy I was to witness the work of grace that had been performed in his life. We had a happy time recalling how I had been involved with him years earlier and the influence I had on his life and career.

It is interesting the impact we can have on others even though it may only be a brief time we are around them. The young man I referred to above did not have more than 6 months under my influence but it obviously was used of the Lord to change him for life.

Men and women are challenged in Scripture to look out for others whom they can influence for good.

For example Paul said to Timothy, “The things which you have heard from me…entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

And Titus he instructed to teach the older women to “train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands”.

It is so important that we duplicate ourselves in the lives of others.

Women are more comfortable doing this and seem to recognize it as an important part of their role in the body of Christ. But I particularly challenge my male readers to consider whom they are actively seeking to influence. Our young men are in desperate need of male role models who will be confidential sounding boards and repositories of wisdom.

Perhaps you have not done this before and need to become active in being a role model for a younger person.

1 Thessalonians 5:11a
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.

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Jan (not her real name) is entertaining if anything.

I met this lively woman in her 70’s through her Christian physician.

The doctor explained to me that the patient was not expected to live long, was all alone, and wanted to speak to a minister. Would I visit? I responded in the affirmative and a fine relationship has developed over the past few months.

Jan’s husband had been gone for several years and both her children had also passed away. Her brothers and sisters had also all gone. Jan was alone.

Listening to her sad story, I did not detect a trace of self-pity from her. She was anything but sorry for herself in life. She did admit to not understanding why she had to endure such an unusual level of suffering, but her cheery smile kept breaking into the conversation.

As cheerful as Jan is, she is even more outspoken. I lent her Chuck Colson’s book, Loving God to read and she quickly let me know it was not for her. “Too depressing!” she commented when I asked her why she did not like it.

Another book was too complicated and another too long. The interesting thing was that all these books have been well received by other patients I visit and thus I thought they would be good for her too.

On another occasion I was telling her about the truth that we are all sinners and in need of the Saviour. Immediately she pounced on my comments and said, “What sins did you commit today?” Flustered, I sought to reassure her that indeed I had committed sins and needed to confess them.

She summarily dismissed my self judgment as too harsh a comment and gave me to understand that she did not see me as a sinner at all. “Gordon,” she said, “you’re not a sinner!”

With several abortive efforts to my credit, the way I finally reached this lady with the Gospel was through the Jesus video.

It is important to continue to witness to those around us as opportunity affords itself. You never know when the light will break through and the person will become attentive to the words you speak.

Never give up! Persevere with your efforts to make the Good News known and eventually the Lord will prosper your patient witness.

Jan has not yet confessed faith in Christ, but continuing efforts by ourselves and her Christian physician will undoubtedly have a good result in her life.

Pray with us for such people with whom we have regular contact.

Only the Lord can open deaf ears to hear the truth and cause the blind eyes to see.

Our business is to sow the seed and water it. In His timing, God will give the increase.

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Over a year ago I was preaching at a family camp in southern Ontario and met a fine young Christian worker and his family who were vacationing and receiving my daily ministry. It was soon discovered that we were kindred spirits and a wonderful friendship soon developed.

The young man adopted me as a mentor and father in the faith.

Over the succeeding months a strong bond developed and many visits took place. Several times over the succeeding months we met for fellowship.

Not long ago I received a distress call from him. From the sound of his voice on the phone it was evident he was in trouble. He did not want to tell me the detail of what was troubling him on the phone so a time was set for him and his wife to come and visit me in my office.

When he came he poured out his heart. He had just lost his position in a Christian organization over an indiscretion and was bewildered. What should he do now? Where could he go from here? I listed patiently to him tell the detail of his failure.

He was right in immediately resigning from his position and confessing. But how was he to rebuild his broken world? How was his wife to receive help for the pain she was suffering? Where were they to go from here?

When such a thing happens there are no set rules for what to do next. Many questions need to be answered before a plan can be instituted.

Carefully we went through the detail of what the organization wanted to do in the situation and how he could cooperate with them in their wishes.

It is a hard road for someone in leadership when they fail. If they are truly repentant some will wish to forgive and see restoration take place.

Others become bitter toward the offender and refuse to show mercy. Occasionally leadership of the organization will split over how to handle the situation.

It is difficult to have a common plan for all instances of such an event.

Sometimes there is a denominational office with personnel to move in and give counsel to the organization or the worker. Other times the leadership will call on leaders from sister groups to come and sit in counsel with them.

In this instance I was the resource person the Lord’s servant chose to help him and his family. We quickly consented to assist and numerous long distance phone calls and face-to-face visits have taken place.

A daily Scripture and other literature reading program has been instituted and he is making good progress in recovery from a sad situation.

It is heartening to see how his wife has supported him through the difficulties and is seeking to assist in restructuring his life to accommodate the new realities. Susan’s minister to her is greatly appreciated.

We thank the Lord that we are available to help such people who fall on hard times and do not have someone to turn to in their time of need.

Once again I have been able to help the hurting through being a pastor to pastorless people.

Your prayers for us that we would have wisdom and discernment in counselling such needy people is greatly appreciated.

These people are precious in the sight of the Lord and are worthy of our best efforts to come alongside and help bear the burdens they carry.

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