Hester

A year ago today my youth pastor, Rob Hester passed away suddenly at the age of 37, leaving behind a wife and daughter. He had a tremendous impact on my life as well as so many others, I know he never realized how much...it all started back in February 1997. I was a 17 year old wayward Christian and "decided" to go on a youth ski trip at my grandparents church. That's where I met Rob and his wife Joy, they were on the trip in lieu of a call to the church. I didn't know them or anyone else really, but Rob spoke one evening, gave his testimony and it was then that I realized how foolish I had been, I hadn't been attending church regularly (I was a ChrEaster), did not have the right attitude and was very worldy. But, I had a responsibility as a Christian to share the gospel, kind of hard to do when I wasn't reading my bible, I hadn't been to church to hear a message or around other believers to help keep me accountable! I rededicated" my life to Christ at age 17 and was baptized. I had never been around anyone like Rob or Joy, such devotion to God and accomplishing what they were called to do and it was fun!!! They were real examples of how Christians could and should be. Rob was such a charismatic person and people gravitated to him, Joy was a rock and such an encourager, an awesome team. We were so excited when they had their daughter Kara in 1998 (after a number of miscarriages), in fact I was actually in the stall next to her when her water broke at church!!! I pride myself in being the first non-family member to hold her!!! Ten years later, Jody and I have the opportunity to mold and shape young Christians into solid believers! What a tremendous responsibility, but so worth it. . .the circle of impact. It's often when people die that we realize how much they truly influenced our lives and that we didn't convey that enough. We hurt for Joy and Kara today, Rob is having a blast with his Savior and we'll see him soon :-)

I stole this picture from facebook, taken last year of their family.