every impression

I remember growing up under the care of my parents, my pastor and youth pastor. All of them were very important in my upbringing, but there was one other person that was important that I could never explain until just a few years ago after he was dead. Rev. Armando Silverio, I wish so badly that he had lived long enough for my children to see him, and for him to come and some time preach at Freedom. I wish people today could see him, and more importantly experience him.
He was originally a missionary for the Southern Baptist Convention when he got into the ministry as a young man. He preached mostly to the Italians who had settled near Pittsburgh and boy oh boy could he tell some stories. Things that he had experienced, things that had happened to him, and most importantly things God had taught him through those experiences. I remember taking Tara over to see him and not wanting to leave. What a date I was, spending a Friday night on a couch listening to stories and gleaning from every word what I could that would help me grow into a youth pastor and some day a pastor.
The thing that I could finally put my finger on was that he was so full of personality, yet it didn't come accross as him. Let me explain.
When he preached he didn't have a real style, he opened up God's word, explained each verse and then he talked to the congregation like you were sitting down for dinner with your family. THat's what I remember but there's a verse he shared with me one night in Colossians 1:24, I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ... He used this verse to teach me humility. To teach me that his personality, his appearance and his attitude were all important but they could not be the lead in what people think about him. THey need to experience him as someone who cares, who is compassionate and who is full of Jesus Christ. He wanted people to remember talking to someone who loved the Lord and hoped that the Lord loved them if only through him.
What a testimony for someone who had preached all over America. He was known by everyone in this area. He was pivotal in starting Anastasia Baptist Church, he was the first preacher at Moultrie Baptist Church, and at Cresent Beach Baptist Church. I believe he did alright for himself.
The biggest story he told me was the way he taught me to teach and to pastor. He asked me how many children we wanted, I was young and said 5. Tara grinned but no comment. I know we're falling behind for sure. But he said, if only 2 of them show up for dinner would you feed them? Would you feed them just as well as if all 5 had showed up for dinner? Well, yes, yes I would! Exactly, that is how it is with the church. As a Pastor you are their shepherd and if you have 1,000 in attendance or 2 the same message comes through your heart and your lips. Because you are talking to and for God and not man.
Those words helped me when I first got into the youth ministry and we had singled digit attendance for a few months. Those words got me through the first year at Freedom and they continue to ring through my head. Bottom line, it's not about us, it's about God and His Will. We should feel honored by the fact that He would even use us in His plan.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!