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What
are you thankful for in this season of Thanksgiving? One thing
I am thankful for is our rich heritage of saints who have given of
their resources, time, talent, prayers, and even sometimes their very
lives to promote the Kingdom of God. Everyone from Martin
Luther and John Calvin, to each and every one of you who help us
build an incredible ministry right here in Clinton have a vital part
in helping the Spirit of Christ to spread the Word of God.
A
while back, it dawned on me that the room outside my office really
didn't have a name. Some called it the youth lounge, others the
room with the calendars, or the space outside the church office.
Some just pointed and said, "over there." Well, Session
decided to make it official. So, I'd like to introduce you to
"Knox Hall" named after the Father of Presbyterianism, John Knox.
For those of you who might be a little rusty on your reformation
history, here is a brief bio of John Knox:
John
Knox 1513-1572 Scottish reformer. Born in Scotland, John Knox was
ordained as a Catholic priest between 1530 and 1540. He was converted
to Christ after he met two Bible-believing Christians, Wishart and
Beacon. Wishart was burned at the stake in 1546, and shortly
afterwards Knox was arrested by the authorities and made a galley
slave of the French for 19 months. He went to England in 1549
and preached the Bible until the reign of Bloody Mary, during which
time he lived in Frankfort, Germany. There he was influenced by the
work of John Calvin. Knox returned to Scotland after several years in
Geneva, and began preaching against the Papal Church. He was arrested
under Queen Mary Stuart in 1560 and tried for treason, but was
acquitted. He spent his remaining years preaching and lecturing in
Edinburgh and St. Andrews. He began the Church of Scotland, which is Presbyterian.
His beliefs and his bravery in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ
strengthened the church both in Scotland and abroad.
As
you consider your gifts to the church in the year to come, be
mindful of the incredible sacrifices that people like John Knox have
gone through so that we could worship and minister as we do.
Maybe we could learn a lot more from their example.
In
Christ,
Rev.
David Hunte
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