THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

Over 40 years Rick and Fran Love came to our church to familiarize themselves with Indonesian culture.  They were still in their late 20s and preparing for ministry in Indonesia.  Despite their relatively young ages they were clear with the purpose of their lives—to serve God by bringing His Good News of salvation to those who do not know His Son Jesus.  Through Rick’s teaching God began to plant the seed that later grew into a calling for me to return to Indonesia.

Rick and Fran served in different capacities but all have one thing in common: building a bridge for the love of God to cross over to those who are different from us.  From time to time we crossed paths; when we were in Indonesia, we visited them and when they were here on furlough, they visited us.  The last time I had contact with Rick was over 10 years ago.  Somehow, I saw his name’s teaching at Fuller Seminary, so I contacted him.  He was so excited to hear from me that he called it, “a blast from the past.”  That’s typical of Rick.

A few days ago, an issue of Christianity Today, a magazine, landed at our church as an introductory offer.  In it I stumbled upon an article about interfaith dialogue.  How happy I was to find Rick’s name and quotes in the article . . . until I read the part, that Rick had passed away in December 2019.  Rick had been battling cancer when he suffered a heart attack.  He was 67—not too young, not too old.

Rick and Dr. Greg Owyang were the keynote speakers at our college group’s retreat in 1981.  In that retreat God used them so mightily that many of us—including I—gave our lives to serving Jesus.  God took Dr. Greg home earlier—in his 30s—but the seeds that he and Rick planted have grown in many hearts.  We are farmers and God is the grower; we plant the seeds and God grows them.

Pastor Paul