27
A Good Friend has fallen
Posted by Eric Jaffe | Posted in Misc | Posted on 27-02-2007
This morning the reality of pastoral life hit home with me again smack in the face as I woke up to Mary Jo screaming at 6:42am this morning as a good friend of mine, Sam Pascoe Pastor of Grace Anglican Church in Orange Park’s face was plastered on the newcast because he had fallen in sin. It also made the front page of the Jacksonville Times Union.
I must say that I am pretty much devastated. I have been through this a number of times in past congregations but I don’t know that it ever gets any easier. I was really beginning to develop a relationship with Sam, we were starting to have coffee every other tuesday morning. To see him fall is just incredibly sad.
The following is semi-unrelated to above, but what is really on my heart.
I have only been in ministry for about 4 years. I have been told the average length of time for a pastor in ministry is like 3 years. I must be honest and say that I realize why. The enemy puts a huge, huge target on the back of those who reach out to make a difference. He attacks our families, our children, our churches, etc. Whats worse is most of the time he does it through friends.. Friendly fire is the absolute worst.
I would encourage everyone to be in fervent prayer for your pastors. Lift them up, encourage them, help them, resource them, love on them and their families, cover, protect, challenge, hold accountable.. Pastors need you to have their backs and pastors need to have eachothers back.
enough said.. I am bummed out today.. whew…
Our family is behind you, and Im sure many other are as well.
You and your family have made Orange Park Campus what it is today, and it wouldnt be that way if it werent for you and wont be the same without you in it. You and Mary Jo brought so many in with your down to earth approach, and tender hearts.
God Bless You and Thank you for making such a positive impact in our lives, our family, and our spiritual walk. We hope to remain connected with you and your family & are 100% behind you. True Friends in Christ.
I have to start out by saying that i was totally devastated by what Karrie shared with celebration women today. I have shed many tears, and as well shared your name in many prayers. Celebration of OP would not be what it is today, i know i havent been there as long as other families have, but long enough to realize some of the differences god has put on pastor Eric heart and those of Stovall.
I love the two of you so much and just know that you will be greatly missed and never forgotten. If i can be honest with you i have never been close to my pastors before, (and after this im not sure if ill want to again)so if this ends up being something that you come to do somewhere else or in some other way dont change anything about you. God has made you just the way he wanted you to be, and its that annointed but down to earth attitude that brought so many people to god, definatley me.
I love you Mary JO because you believed in me, even when i didnt believe in myself and most of all you never passed judgement. In the begining of my alter time with you i had to take it day by day, and then week by week, and then months at a time, after all is said and done you made me a better woman in christ.
Mary Jo please dont loose touch you mean so much to my (spiritual) life. When you are ready call and we can do lunch or shopping, im not the type to prye, because its none of my business. 904-236-3821
P.S. god is still blessing me, i start at Acura of OP on monday, tight work huh. When i met you i didnt even have a job, look at Gods baby girl now.
Devistation is the first word that come to mind for me. When I heard the news I told the person that said it to stop playing with me. Pastor Eric you and MaryJo have made my walk with Christ that much easier to understand Pastor Eric with your teachings and MaryJo with your unconditional LOVE. The two of you have come to be very important to me and Alvin (he is very sad and confused). I know that our Celebration family will pull together and help those that are confused and sad get through this very sad time. On my way to work this morning I described my feeling to a friend as I feel as though I have lost a part of my family. I love you both very much and will lift your entire family up in prayer and please know if I can do anything and I do mean anything I will.
MaryJo thank you for always making me feel so beautiful and often times so powerful. You truly are the definition of God’s greatness and ALWAYS an inpiration to others.
Whatever you are moving on to do you will be very successful and just remember you have an entire congregation that will be lifing you up and that has your back!!!!!!!!!
Thank You Both and God Bless you.
Love Tracey 874-9939.
Eric and Mary Jo ~
Shelly and I were deeply saddened to hear that you and Mary Jo are leaving Celebration church. Having gone through a number of these transitions (I count 5 in the past 6 years), this one hit us the hardest because of the kinship we’ve felt with both of you. We want you to know that you guys are always in our minds, hearts, and prayers and that we stand behind you all the way. Of course, I will be there for all the GFBN and Impact Clay stuff going forward and you can count on us to volunteer in the future.
Keep us in the loop on all your future endeavors and thank you for everything you’ve done for God, our community, and us!
We fervently pray for God’s Blessing on you and your family.
Your brothers and sisters in Christ,
~Rich & Shelly
Okay so I’ve typed the first sentence and backspaced it out at least three times….point being…what does one say besides I love you guys, I love your kids, and I love your modeling behavior of an honest, true, and open relationship with God and your church family. (backspacing again) I don’t need to know the why behind the what…I only need to know that you are focused on God at this time and remain open and trusting to his prompting, teaching, growing, comforting, guiding, and will. I heard once from a friend as our church went through a horrific split that church buildings do not make a church family. It is our absolute dedication to the body of Christ. We are but empty vessels waiting to be used and filled and used again. Hopefully people understand how God uses people for specific purposes in His timing and then provides a different avenue for their talents. I am blessed to have served with you and will continue to seek opportunities to serve with you because my friend was right. We are connected not by the building on Kingsley Avenue, but by the blood of our savior who knit our hearts as family the moment we received Him. That being said, know that I love you guys (especially you Miranda) and I will be there when you call.
Eric and Mary Jo,
I’ve recently heard the news and I thought it was all a bad joke. My son Bryan came home last night Youth services & told me. I just “KNEW” he was trying to pull my leg. When I got confirmation today I was devastated! I’m sick to my stomack with sadness & just can’t understand. I’m confused & heartbroken.
I want you both to know that you will be missed so very much. That can’t even begin to describe it! I started out at Celebration Deerwood 6+ yrs ago, but my faith had never grown or blossomed in the way it has since I walked through the doors of Celebration O.P.. You are both such an inspiration & incredible people. I will never forget either one of you! I hope I will be blessed enough to see the 2 of you somehow, someway again. I love you both & will be lifting you both up in prayer. I’m not sure what brought this on, but I do know that God knows what he’s up to & that is what matters. I pray that He is with you both, now more than ever on the path you are taking. Know that ALL of the people at Celebration of O.P. love you & will continue to lift you up in prayer..now & always! This is such a loss for us all. I’m shocked, devastated and so very sad.
God Bless you both!
Dena
God is so good! He is in control, and no one else. He holds you in His hand. There is nothing the enemy can do that takes God by surprise. We love you guys. Can’t wait to see what God has planned for you, faithful servants, true to your Father’s heart.
Dear Pastor Eric and Mary Jo and family,
Please know that you will be dearly missed at O.P. Celebration Church and that you are all in our prayers. I know that as long as you continue to follow God’s leading in your life, He has better plans for you than we could ever imagine or dream of. I hope we can continue to build our “just beginning relationship” since I’ve only known you 4 months. That is a testimony to what you have begun at Celebration Church. It doesn’t take long for God to use you when you are willing to be used as God has planned for you. I will be part of the God 1st Business meetings so I will continue to be blessed by knowing such an awesome couple that God has ordained for His purposes. I really feel blessed to have met you and trust that God will lead you through this time. You are not alone…
All our love,
The Delgado’s