On All Saints Sunday, Henry Adair shared a heartwarming reflection on nearly 50 years as a member of Central Presbyterian Church. His story is one of resilience, faith, and the enduring power of community.
Henry and his wife, Jane, first visited Central in 1977 at the invitation of dear friends Kay and Harold Gilbert. What kept them here was the church’s welcoming atmosphere, powerful sermons, and a sense of belonging. Over the decades, they witnessed Central grow and adapt, nurturing generations of members.
Central’s impact on Henry’s life is profound. It has supported him through immense joys and heartbreaking losses—helping raise his children and grandchildren, standing by his family through illnesses, and offering unwavering love when he lost his wife, Jane, and son, Ross Adair. Even after a serious car accident left him in recovery for months, the church’s prayers, visits, and thoughtful gestures gave him the strength to heal and return.
Henry’s love for Central is rooted in its people. From shared pews with cherished families to the embrace of a congregation that welcomed him back after a year away, Central embodies God’s love in action. The church continues to rally around his family, even as his daughter Henri faces her own health challenges, ensuring that every moment is filled with grace and support.
Reflecting on his life and faith, Henry sees heaven not as a distant promise but as the love he experiences within the church walls—a testament to the power of community and God’s presence. In his own words, “My Heaven is right there on that pew with my family, surrounded by the Perkins, Rodgers, McCallum, Anderson, Southard families, and this entire church.”
Through his moving story, Henry left us with an essential message: to live with love, see the world through the eyes of Jesus, and cherish the people who walk alongside us. “I love you,” he says to his congregation, and his words resonate as a call to embrace faith, hope, and love in our own lives.
I am grateful for Henry and his willingness to share his testimony of gratitude for our church-community. I urge each of you to keep reflecting on the significance of this body of Christ in your personal faith journey.
Grace and Peace,
Michael
Comentarios