Will those who come behind us find us faithful? Steve Green sang these words decades ago in a song, and those words will never leave me. This morning, my devotional email posed the same question.
Why does it matter? It matters because (unless Christ returns SOON) there will be people who follow behind each one of us. One day, our families will sift through the things we called possessions. They will probably deal with a probate court to close our legal affairs. They will pack up our living spaces and prepare those spaces for the next occupants. This is not a depressing thing, it is just a fact of life. What will they find?
Even more so, when they examine our legacies, what will those legacies teach? My first serious career was early in the days of information technology. I was a computer programmer and hardware developer. And I loved it!! I never guessed that God will call me to ministry and that this call would take me back to school for three additional degrees, a move to New Orleans from Easley, SC, and then a move to Florence, SC from NOLA. I never guessed that my move to Florence would place me here for over 31 years and I would eventually be responsible for Ebenezer Baptist Church.
I had never heard of EBC before they called me in the spring of 1995. But, what a church!! What a history!! Founded in 1778. Found to the be mother church of Baptist work in the state of Mississippi. Hundreds of men and women built this church over almost 250 years, and it is on their foundation that we stand in 2026. God put Ebenezer exactly where He wanted it and generations have been faithful. YES, EBC has had its bumps and problems. But we are still here!! A question that is with me every day now is this: Are we building a stronger foundation for the next generation?? Or are we destroying what God built?
I love and respect the history of this church. And I also know that, unless a church is willing to change and grow, it will shrink back into oblivion. So if you wanted a glimpse into the heart of David Wike, there it is … The tension of what brought us to this day vs moving into the future. I feel it every day. Our church staff feels it too. It is a point of prayer and stress at times. Just please know that we work hard to honor our past AND build a foundation for those who come behind us.
And our prayer is not so much that they will find US faithful, but that they will KNOW that God is faithful!!!
One Pastor's Perspective 