Eighty Five and Counting

This past weekend was an incredible celebration at Northwest Family Church where I serve as a staff pastor. We trace the founding of our congregation back to 1923, when a small group of people began meeting in the Truitt Building in downtown Auburn, and formed what was called the "Auburn Interdenominational Mission". Through a succession of pastors and change of locations over the years we emerged as Calvary Temple Assembly of God in 1961 and a new facility was built on the present site at 3535 Auburn Way South. While it has been added on to and renovated a number of times since then, we still worship in this building. In October, 1989, my wife and I began attending Calvary Temple, which was then pastored by Dr. Wayde Goodall. He was a key individual who came into my life at a crucial time and helped me to find my bearings and realize that life was not over at 50! When he resigned in 1993, Jim Filbeck became the Senior Pastor and under his leadership, the church witnessed remarkable growth, numerically and financially. I was asked to join the pastoral staff in February, 1999. While I had been a senior pastor for 19 years, I had not been in active ministry for the past 15 years. I thought I was finished, but God had other plans. I joined the Staff as Pastor of Community and have served to this present time. Three major functions of my portfolio deal with Pastoral Care, Bible Teaching and leading our large Senior Community. What a great group of saints God has brought into Milbre's and my life.

Yesterday was a highly charged emotional time as we fondly remembered many old friends who came back to join the celebration. Many spoke to the past, but Darrel J Johnsen, a former staff pastor, spoke that "Our best days are yet to come"!

Under the capable and wise leadership of our present senior pastor, Dr Warren Bullock, we have witnessed healing, growth and stability in all areas of the church.

A link to our church web-site: www.nwfamilychurch.com