This past weekend was a mind-blowing experience. We were to start a new series for April called "Proof" that will lead into Easter. I was all ready with a great message - but it was not to be. After the first song my friends Devin Lantier and David Baudoin came walking out onto the stage. I thought, "What is this about?" I am not a control freak, but I'm used to being in control. Believe me - the rest of the day was out of control! In a good way.
This month we celebrate 20 years as the Lead Pastors here at Crossroads Church. For months, my staff, our board of directors and others have been secretly planning a special service in honor of our twenty year anniversary. (I'm sure there is some kind of ecclesiastical absolution for all the lying and deceiving they have engaged in to pull this off!) David began by pointing to the fact that the average stay of a pastor these days is three-and-a-half years. We have been so blessed to have this kind of tenure in one place. Devin pointed out that, in addition to the twenty years as Lead Pastor, we were here for eight years as the Youth Pastors - Can I say it again: WE ARE BLESSED!
I've always believed that there are some things you will never experience in ministry without longevity! As the tribute videos began to play, I was reminded of so many of those things. The one that probably defines my point best was represented by a video of Emily Thibodeaux, who is now one of our missionaries in Kenya. Her video greeting from Africa segued into a video of me dedicating her as a baby. One-by-one the videos played - Ministry colleagues from around the country, staff that have served along side me through the years, members of my family, sons and daughters in ministry that are now serving around the world - It was heart warming and so extremely SURREAL. I know this sounds horrible but it was almost like attending your own funeral. We sat there (very much alive!) and got to hear people say things about us that people typically say at your memorial service.
Many of the people who are responsible for where and who we are today participated in Sunday's tribute. Gary and Dee Sapp, who actually introduced us to the Pastors of Bethel Assembly of God (now Crossroads Church) way back in 1986 were there. Gary actually had me come up on stage and sing my infamous "Moon Pie" song. Pastor Denny Duron kicked off the video segments with some extremely kind words. Pastor Scott and Kara Holmes, leaders of the Louisiana Assemblies of God and our close friends for many years, were there and presented us with two gifts - one was a photo album that they found a few weeks ago at the old Claiborne Assembly of God church in West Monroe, filled with pictures from our first days of ministry - the other was a beautiful leather bound journal, with it's blank pages waiting to be filled with descriptions of future adventures because, as so many pointed out - OUR BEST DAYS ARE STILL AHEAD OF US!
At one point in the service, David stressed how we have always made the most of what God has given us - including the talent he has surrounded us with though the years. He mentioned how much I loved the music of Russ Taff and how I had my friend Tim Gautreaux sing every Russ Taff song in the book back in the day! As we were laughing at the memory, the band strikes up the old classic song, "We Will Stand" and Tim comes walking out to sing! We were so elated and just when we thought, "It can't get any better!" Tim calls the real Russ Taff out on to the stage! JAW DROP MOMENT! For a kid preacher in the eighties - Russ was the equivalent of Bono and the Pope all wrapped up in one package and there he was Sunday, singing on our stage! The shark has officially been jumped!
After service, our friends Troy and Melissa Bejeau had our family picked up in a limousine and brought to their restaurant where they had prepared an incredible meal for us. Another dear friend, Preston Broussard had a limo there for our guests. Needless to say, we are still processing all this. Being honored in this way is a very humbling experience that I can't seem to find the words for. Russ Taff told me over and over that day - "Jeff, I've been in church all my life and I've never seen love like this!" I guess that's a good way to describe it - I feel loved. Perhaps the best description is found in the 23rd Psalm - My cup runneth over!
