Power Team Members Still in the Game

One of our Power Team members who is continuing to serve God locally and globally in retirement sent this to me recently, “Since the turn of the century three words have characterized retirement in North America: detachment, relaxation and leisure. Detachment depicts the release from responsibilities and obligations of career and work. Relaxation describes the manner and mode of living and leisure is activity that is free from toil and strain, fills the time and occupies the attention. Hence the main objective has been to change the retiree from a producer to a consumer in every aspect of life.”

This definition of retirement however does not depict most of our Power Team members across Canada. Our members who have experienced years and decades of ministry are continuing to grow deeper in Jesus and are active participants to further our mission.

There are those who are growing deeper and sharing that through their book writing. Some are interim pastors, some preach regularly, some serve the local church as ministering members. Some are traveling to other countries to preach and encourage international workers. Some are mentoring the younger generation as they are preparing for the pastorate, international work or ordination. They are giving leadership to some para-church organizations or serving in another denomination.

We recently received a farewell letter from Garth Hunt, who is the founder of World Serve and served in Vietnam with the C&MA. He, at age 89, is now passing the baton as his graduation to heaven is imminent due to advanced Parkinson’s disease. What an example he sets!

No matter our age, we are all able to grow deeper in Jesus and further the mission which God has given to us. “Though outwardly we may be wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16). For us, this growing deeper and furthering the mission may just be in a different place and at a different pace. We honor our Power Team members who are continuing to add much value to the Alliance family on mission.

This story is taken from the Fall 2018 Alliance Connection magazine. You can get a free copy of the Alliance Connection at Alliance churches across Canada or view the digital copy online. We hope you will be encouraged and inspired to go deeper in Jesus and as a result, further on mission.