Saturday, October 23, 2010

A Legacy of Ministry

Today there was a service at Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge to celebrate the life of Dave Ohlerking.  Dave was the founder of Children's Cup.  Mission of Mercy partners with Children's Cup in Swaziland and Mozambique to change the lives of children.

The first time I met Dave, I was struck by his grace, kindness and wisdom.  Dave had traveled to over 100 countries on 6 continents and had been in many "Hard Places" in his life.  He has impacted thousands of lives during his years of ministry.  Yet he listened and showed respect to everyone he spoke to.  I had only been in my position for a few months, but he treated me like a seasoned veteran of international ministry.  He won my love and respect from our very first meeting.  Today, I know he is dancing with joy in the presence of the Lord.

There are often questions after the head of a ministry passes.  In this case, with his wife Jean, and his daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Ben, to carry the torch, I know Children's Cup will grow in size and impact.  In fact, I jotted down some words that came to me while watching a video of his life:
     "The legacy of a life well-lived and a work well-started,
       Is the growth that God gives when the man has departed."

My life was richer for having Dave in it, even for a few short years.

Dave Ohlerking
1940-2010