Seeing old
friends – Andrew Robertson, host of Ask The Pastor and Saturdays 12-4.
This past
weekend we went to the Hamilton Comic-Con as a family. We didn’t want to miss
church just to go to a con, so we looked up churches in Hamilton to go to
before we went. My former pastor that has known me almost all my life was there
at West Highland Baptist Church. His name is John Mahaffey. We went to his
church, surprising him and his wife!
In my bio
for the station he is listed as someone I look up to, a mentor. After hearing
him again this week for the first time in years, he still is. He had just
gotten back from a trip to the Philippines the week earlier. His sense of
humour was still great, and his ease at breaking down the passage he spoke on
was still inspiring. He has always dealt with a speech impediment, and it’s
amazing to see how God uses people despite their flaws or impediments or pasts
to further the kingdom. He used Moses who also had a speech impediment to lead
the Israelites, He used Peter who had a hot head to help start the church, and He
uses people every day in our weaknesses to serve God.
John was baptized
the same day as my mom many years ago, a memory that made me smile since mom
has been gone for a little over three years now. He was there when I rededicated my life to God after running from Him for over a year many years ago. It was good to catch up with
him and his wife Andrea. They reunited with my wife – as he had married us 20
years ago – and got to meet my kids. He said seeing my oldest was like stepping
back in time and seeing me at that age. Still a mentor and friend after all
these years. This is why God brings friends, and of course pastors, into our
lives – to inspire us and when the friendship is genuine, they will always be
there to welcome us. Seeing as October is pastor appreciation month, Happy
Pastor Appreciation Month to an old friend!
