The Walker 2007 Christmas Letter

 

From Pastor Dave:

Dear Friends,

            This season of our Savior’s birth, we celebrate His coming to the earth and look forward to 2008. We also remember God’s favor and blessing in 2007. We also have some very painful memories.

            The year 2007 started out on a very low note, as in January my dear friend and Associate Pastor of twenty-four years, Pastor Ken Collins, was taken from us. In June another dear friend, and a man who gave thousands of hours in our audio-video ministry, Ken Zacharias, was taken also.

            Losing two of my very best friends was very difficult, but in the midst of these losses God otherwise gave me one of the greatest years in my life. “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

            In February, I, and five from our church, went on a mission trip to Salur, India, where I preached a city-wide crusade, and those with me ministered in special meetings during the day for ladies and children. The crusade attendance grew every evening, with four thousand the last night. Altogether, over one thousand Hindus turned to Jesus Christ.

            In June, we took two of our grandchildren and vacationed in northern California. We enjoyed Yosemite, Sequoia, Mt. Rainier, San Francisco, and an incredible weekend worshipping at Bethel Church in Redding.

            In August, we went to our hometown of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and had a great visit with our children and grandchildren who still live there. We then went to Tennessee and joined my brother, Larry, and his wife and family in celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. It was good to personally see our extended family...cousins, nephews, nieces, etc. whom I had not seen for years.

            In September, three men from the Lighthouse and I went to China. We had a great visit, and accomplished much. We hope to go back someday.

            In November, five of our pastors joined me on a missions trip to Nigeria, the most populated nation in Africa. We did outdoor crusades in Lagos and Aba. We also did daytime meetings for ladies, children, and teenagers. Altogether we saw over 1,000 decisions for Christ.

            The high point of this trip for me was the opportunity to lead a seminar on pastoral leadership and vision for over 500 pastors in Aba. Most of the pastors in this city of 900,000 attended, so we had a chance to indirectly encourage nearly all the churches in this city.

            Meanwhile I’ve had the continuing privilege of pastoring the world’s greatest church (my unbiased and prejudiced opinion). It has been a good year at the Lighthouse. God has been very good to our church.

            Another great blessing for me is to regularly “bump into” alumni of Lighthouse Christian Academy. They are everywhere and they are in every profession, from teaching to business to medicine and all in between. Many are serving our nation in the military and some in governmental agencies. I am very proud of our students and alumni.

            As I look forward to 2008, I see in the “year of new beginnings” retirement after 27 plus years of pastoring the Lighthouse. Sometime in 2008 I’ll retire.

            I really don’t know what comes next, but God’s will be done.

            May God grant you and your family a blessed and prosperous 2008.