Last Sunday night I had the opportunity to take part in a concert at Mt Hermon Christian Conference Center, a camp nestled in the towering redwoods north of Santa Cruz, California where I spent a good deal of time ministering in the early days of my career. The fact that I was sharing the evening’s offering of music with folk legend, Noel Paul Stookey, only added to the magical nature of the event for me. And though there were so many facets of the experience worth writing about, the highlight for me turned out to be in the people who came, manifested by those I met afterwards.
There was my old college roommate and his wife who drove many miles to get there, my sister and nephew who drove even farther, someone I was in a Bible study group with in college, more than one from our Catch list, the daughter of a family that hosted a Bible study for me 40 years ago, a retired flight attendant co-worker of my wife’s, someone who was a camper when I was on staff at Mt Hermon, a woman who credited one of my books as being influential in turning her husband around and saving their marriage, someone who was in a Sunday School class I taught in 1968, the husband of the woman who credited one of my books as being influential in turning him around and saving their marriage (they each came to me separately with the same story), the Chaplain of the Stanford football team and his wife at whose wedding I performed years ago, a pastor who was a fellow intern with me in 1972, a woman who told me her husband heard me sing “Roses on Wednesday” in the early 1980s and hasn’t missed a Wednesday since, and a guy in a bomber jacket who just stood back and watched, smiling, as I greeted all these people, then hugged me without a word and walked off with wet eyes.
The standout in all this was how varied these people were, and yet how ordinary the situations that bound us together. A wedding, a Bible study, a Sunday school class, a camp, a college roommate – people and events that we all share, and yet many of these people I hadn’t met or communicated with in years.
My guess is that many of you have people like this you don’t know about – people whose lives you have touched without knowing it, or if you once did, you have long forgotten it. Just as well, because this is not to dwell on, but to draw encouragement from. Probably there are people right now who would stand up and thank you if they were given the chance. Way to go!
John Fischer The Catch 
This makes me smile. Not necessarily because of the people I may have touched but because of the long list of people who have touched me over the years, in incredibly ordinary situations. I am thankful if God has used me. I’m eternally grateful for all the people he has used in my own life. I’m glad all those people showed up. How wonderful that must have been!
At a funeral last month, in the previous parish I served as an assistant, the now minister gave me news of how a Family Service I had set up in a small village church continues to thrive. This was good news. But what amazed me was what she said about how folk there still remember my ministry and often quote me. I have been really blessed to be given this unsolicited bit of feedback. I love the prayer ‘Teach us, Lord, to serve thee as Thou deservest…. not for any reward save for the joy of doing Thy will.’ I live my life by that – but hey, knowledge that folk have been blessed by our ministry is pretty awesome.
That was lovely!
John, this post took me down memory lane to being a camper at Mount Hermon in 1969 when you were there with your guitar – 40 years ago – Wow! I still remember you there that summer, so yes, God does use each of us in ordinary ways to influence others. God bless you and your ministry.
I am not sure why I should leave my neglected web site?
You are beginning to date yourself. I do not think that you have reached my 68 years, but your memories are long enough that you are getting there.
I view it as memories of service to my Lord, the good, the bad(some very, very bad) and the indifferent.
I am still involved in preaching for a little church and have recently tackled a MA program.
God bless your continuing service to Him.
And I used to play Road of Life, Love Him in the Morning and many others. And yes, I ‘know’ you from PBC. I still have some of your early vinyl LP records. So yes, we appreciate your ministry.
And way back in 1972 your music influenced me to write a tune to Psalm 51:10-12. Years later, I was totally dazed to find it in the Maranatha Praise books and recorded by Keith Green. About a year ago our pastor was speaking on Psalm 51 and they allowed me to tell the story of writing that tune. People visiting on that Sunday from Australia and India told me how God has used that song in their worship times. No matter how messy our lives may get He is the Only One worthy of our praise.
Thank you for your ministry and remaining faithful to continue to seek the truth and communicate it in an understandable way.
TimC
Hillsboro Oregon
John:
I couldn’t be there in person because of work, but my thoughts were there as I remembered all the other times I was blessed by your music and teaching at Mt. Hermon. I am glad it was a good night for you.
Thank you for your continued ministry.
I was at the concert with my sister and daughter, and what a joy it was to hear you and Noel again. The celebration of Christian folk music was great, and it is always amazing how the words can be remembered even though I haven’t sung the song in years.
Your concert Sunday evening was great!
I think that anyone who drove the distance to be there was not disappointed.
The Lords presence was felt. Your songs and reading brought anyone there a chance to connect with the Lord and worship Him. Your performance was good but what was Great was how inspiring it was and how you truly are a signpost pointing towards Jesus.
It was so calm and seem so unrehearsed. It was just like you were up there having a good time being blown by the Spirit…..Not trying to be impressive.
I think what I really wanted to say to you Sunday night was
THANK YOU FOR BEING FAITHFUL!!! Thank you for rising to your calling….To choose to be used in the way the Lord wants to use you….THANK YOU!!
To go home from a concert thinking you got your moneys worth is one thing but to go from a concert and be inspired to love the Lord more is awesome!