Our Pastor

He drives his baby blue pick up truck to church each day. He always parks it in the same spot, right behind the sign that says Hinkle Creek Friends and close to the mailbox. He has his cell phone on his hip and he is always on call. He is our Pastor.

He attended this church when he was a child and now he is the Pastor. He lives just down the road, but the road that’s led him back to this place has been long and winding. He is our Brother.

He is quick to smile and loves to joke around. Laughter is the best medicine for a man that will hold your hand when your heart is broken or fix your car when it won’t start. Or let you interrupt his meal because you need to tell him something, need his help or his advice. He is always ready with a sympathetic ear and a pat on the back. A heartfelt “I’m so proud of you.” Or a, “I sure do love you guys.” He simply does not like it when you can’t come to church. If you will just come to church on Sunday then he won’t have to worry about you, why you weren’t there, if you’re okay. He is our Friend.

He is always reminding us to look to God for the answers and for the comfort we seek. Learn to be patient when waiting upon the Lord, to help those less fortunate, to love one another, to love ourselves, to rejoice in the Lord and be glad. He is our Mentor.

We know he loves us because of his dedication and his sincerity and his consistent attention over his flock. He’s both easy going and highly principled, silly and insightful. He loves his garden, his dessert and his coffee. He loves the old time Hymns. But even more than these things, he loves it when he sees one of his flock show signs of the spiritual maturity that he’s been watching for. He’s nurtures us. He tenderly and patiently nudges us. He encourages us and reminds us to say our prayers, hold fast, apologize, reconsider or to just simply wait. He’s our Teacher.

His life is a testimony to his love and his trust in the Lord. He is always telling us not to follow him, but to follow Jesus. He’s just showing us the good old way, the path to salvation, the path to peace and love, happiness and strength. He can’t do it for us but he will guide us. But we have to do the work, read that Bible, step out in faith, show kindness.

Friend, Pastor, Mentor, Teacher, Brother. We are thankful to God for sending us a Pastor who is so humble, sincere and real. Thankful to him for being obedient to the call that brought him back home.

We love seeing that truck parked in its spot when we turn into the gravel parking lot of our meeting house. Where we come to wait upon the Lord. Thank you Bob, for your patience as we learn and grow, try and fail and try again. May God richly bless you as you continue to preach the Gospel. May Jesus forever walk beside thee and the light of God continue to shine though thee.