Great Commission Churches

January 2010

To the Pastors' Wives,

Greetings in the Lord Jesus.

I know it is unusual for me - a pastor - to write in the Pastors' Wives Newsletter.  But there is a story and a message that I thought would be good for you to know. And as will become evident, there is no one other than I who can tell this story.  Also,  because of the nature of the story, I asked my wife Sandy to bypass writing an introduction, as she normally does.

So, here goes...

I did not grow up in a home that taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. But by the grace of God I became a Christian on December 11, 1973 through the witness of people who planted a Great Commission church in Columbus, Ohio.  It was in the church that Sandy and I met. We fell in love and got married on December 3, 1977 - the happiest day of my life (except for every day thereafter!).  Since then, Sandy has been my best friend - and my best helper.  

When we were newly married, the pastors of the church planned a 5-day open-air preaching series on West Campus at Ohio State.  Jesus Christ was the focus of the series, as we addressed topics such as, "Why Jesus Sociologically?" and, "Why Jesus Psychologically?" and, "Why Jesus Philosophically?"  I was picked to start on Monday with "Why Jesus Historically," in which I would share the proof of the resurrection. 

This was a big step of faith for me. Before I was saved, I was not much of a risk-taker.  I preferred being a couch potato and watching football games, to stepping out and being courageous. So I was really going outside my comfort zone to preach before the students at OSU.  (Frankly, I was scared to death!)

Sandy and I drove to West Campus, parked the car and strolled nervously to the grassy hill where students were eating their lunches.  I carried an easel with a cardboard sign that said, "Why Jesus Historically?"  We prayed, and I walked to the top of the hill, and set up the easel.  And then I started.  "Today, I want to talk to you about 'Why Jesus Historically' - why Jesus is the center of history."

Of course, right away the snickers started.  "Oh, brother. Who is this kook?  Oh, no, not another religious nut."  But to make matters worse, the day was very windy - and 15 seconds into my preaching, the easel and sign fell down.  As if I didn't look foolish enough already!   My courage was really being tested. Quite honestly, I felt like giving up.

But then came Sandy.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her come to the top of the hill.  She picked up the easel and sign and held them in the brisk wind.  It was extremely windy that day.  It took a lot of effort on her part to keep the easel and sign upright.  But she did it.  As people mocked, she just stood her ground behind me, holding this sign that said, "Why Jesus Historically" while I preached about Jesus and the resurrection. 

I did not preach long. Unlike Tom Short who gathers crowds and leads many to Christ, I did not see anyone come forward to receive eternal life. I do not know of any students on the grassy hill whose lives were changed that Monday afternoon. But I do know this - my life was changed.

At a moment when my faith was being severely tested, my dear bride stepped forward. This timid aspiring pastor was bolstered by his wife who was willing to suffer with me in the cause of the gospel. And I was forever changed. 

On December 3, 1977, Sandy made a vow to God and to me to stick by me through thick and thin. In the spring of 1978, on a grassy hill at Ohio State University she fulfilled that vow in dramatic fashion. She held up my sign - and she has been holding up my sign ever since. In doing so, she has not only affected me - she has also affected the world.

Ladies, I cannot overstate the effect that you have on your husbands. Your love, your support, your faith and your loyalty are powerful. Very powerful.

God commands us to "Only be strong and very courageous." (Joshua 1:7)   For a man, sometimes his courage is tested when God calls him to take on a new venture.  Other times his courage is tested when he is being questioned or attacked.  Whatever the situation, each man must face his fears.  When his courage and convictions are severely tested, each man must trust his God and climb the hill. The world may laugh at him. But he must go forward. 

When a man takes that step, it is not only a God-moment for him. It is also a God-moment for his wife. She has an opportunity to follow his lead-to join him at that critical moment when his faith is being challenged.  A wife has the great privilege to stand by him, proclaiming the One who died and rose again on our behalf. It is her opportunity to hold up his sign.

Ladies, you have no doubt had the opportunity to hold up the sign of your husband many times in your life. When you did so, you made an impact on your husband more than you will ever realize.  As you follow the Lord in the future, you will have many more opportunities to hold up his sign.  When that opportunity comes again, seize it.  Seize it with all of your heart.  When you do, it will not only transform your marriage.  It will also transform the world.

God bless you, ladies.  
John Hopler