Since the death of our son, Christopher, on April 25, our lives have been turned upside down. So much changed in an instant. What should we do? What will our lives look like as we go forward? Should we retire and spend the rest of our lives on a small remote Scottish or Faroese island? Many of you have experienced these seismic upheavals in your life, causing you to reassess your priorities, your future, your very existence.
Gudny and I have also reflected on our call, which took us from a comfortable life in Scotland to full-time ministry. Was God now rescinding that call? The answer is a resounding “No!” My call is to glorify God through the exposition of the Word of God. It is a call not to political or social activism, not to retreat and spend the rest of my life writing books, but “to preach the Word in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). Over 15 years ago, we answered the call to come to Calvary Church to be a “preacher of grace and shepherd of souls.” Calvary was then and continues to be devoted to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
I am thankful that the leadership and congregation of Calvary Church share this commitment to the Word of God and the Gospel. Many churches have gone the entertainment or political or social activism route and have become mere mirrors of the culture. The leaders of Calvary stand firmly with me to continue to be and make authentic followers of Jesus Christ.
Gudny and I again thank you for all of your love, encouragement, and kindness during this excruciatingly difficult time in our lives. But we can attest to the faithfulness of God, His perfect purposes, and our commitment to continue to serve the Lord Jesus at Calvary. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8).
