Recent Sermons

Here are the links to some of the more recent sermons:

http://www.cvbc.org/podcast/5-14-06.mp3
http://www.cvbc.org/podcast/5-7-06.mp3
http://www.cvbc.org/podcast/4-30-06.mp3

Tribute to Grace San Luis Obispo

The Early Years
I have the unique and honored privilege of being raised under the loving protection of the Grace Church family. My parents were role-models of Christ-centered values. As infants, my sister Lynne and I were brought to the front of the church to be dedicated. Founding Pastor Leroy Persson officiated at our dedication and as teenagers at our baptism. The formative years of Christian education was defined by colorful personalities. I remember vividly the creative flannel graph bible stories of Glee Cooper. She prayed with me to receive Jesus as my Savior and friend. The 4th-5th grade Sunday school class with teacher Ken Pharis was anticipated with eagerness. He would read "The Adventures of the Sugar Creek Gang" and have our complete undivided attention. Teacher Harry Paulson helped me memorize and respect the Word of God. Elmer and Florence Mc Lennon helped define my Jr. High years. He made the piano do things that had us cheering. Our high school advisor, Roberta Ryan was the picture of "quiet grace" and was our confidential counselor. Hume Lake and Lopez Conference Grounds were the "holy places" for spiritual renewal. Grace Church will forever be connected with those two locations where thousands of youth experienced God.

Wedding Bells
Grace Church is where I met, fell in love and married Dorothy Marie Harris. Grace youth ministry attracted students not only from SLO High but Mission Prep, Morro Bay High, Atascadero High and in my case, a group from Arroyo High School. One of the great dynamics of Grace's youth ministry was the spiritual and social connection with other area schools. Worshipping with student-athletes who would also be rivals on other days of the week helped teens see the bigger picture of God's Kingdom. I met Dorothy through the high school ministry. We both dedicated our lives to Christ at Hume Lake High School Camp. Grace would sponsor and offer camperships to students so that the Hume experience would be available to the youth community. A group of 6 or 7 of us from Grace would later attend Dallas Bible College together in large part because of our Youth Pastor David Woodworth. I believe he was the second "full-time" staff position at Grace in youth ministry. One of those students was Rich Bullock who would later have a long and accomplished ministry with Youth For Christ.When I reflect on my 15 years on the Pastoral Staff, my wife Dorothy must be highly honored. She was responsible for most of the detail planning, food preparation, female discipleship and general hospitality for the ministry. Our two children Craig and Carrie were dedicated in the Sanctuary at Grace and both raise up and call her blessed.

Sr. High Director of Outreach
After completing college I was asked by Pastor Johnny Boswell to develop the ministry to high school students. I would assist the Youth Director Chuck Girton. Our first outreach was an alternative to the tricks of Halloween. High school advisor Bonnie Miller had secured a ranch property with a large barn. We planned for about 35 students. On the night of the event almost 100 teens converged at the church. My first outreach and with a major obstacle to overcome. How would we transport these students? I huddled with my adult advisors and made a crazy decision. We allowed the seniors with cars to drive with the underclass mates. I gave very strict instructions concerning the caravan and obeying all traffic laws. I will never forget driving out Johnson Avenue past General Hospital with student drivers weaving in and out of lanes with windows down and bodies sticking out in conversation with other vehicles. I thought my ministry would end before it started! One of my key student leaders that night was Gary Peterson who would later become a respected missionary trainer with Wycliffe Bible Translators. The night ended with invitations to receive Christ and new believers were loved into the Kingdom.

Sons of Thunder
Later the church commissioned and licensed me as a minister of the gospel. As the Minister of Youth many gifted students were discipled and launched in ministry. A number of godly adults came alongside to disciple students. Dr. Michael Wilkins, Dean of Faculty, Talbot School of Theology was instrumental in bringing seminary classes to the Grace campus. Among the gifted students there were two brothers I affectionately called the "sons of thunder". Mark and Matthew Perry were glued to my side during their teen years. Mark has established at least three churches and authored at least two discipleship books. He is currently pastoring in the Arroyo Grande area. Matt has been a faithful pastor to God's flock and currently ministering in the mid-west. Men such as these have greatly advanced the legacy of effective youth ministry at Grace.

Panic in the Pulpit
A few years in my tenure at Grace I faced my "moment of truth". As I was preaching on Sunday morning on live radio with a packed Sanctuary I experienced a panic attack - a complete emotional breakdown. Thank God that Grace had godly elders who know how to respond in crises situations. Dr. Leon Maksoudian stepped up to the pulpit and calmed a concerned congregation and radio audience. He has been a servant-leader who demands our highest respect. That day I learned that God does not need me but I desperately need Him. I began to experience what it means to be "poor in spirit". God can only use people who have a broken and contrite heart.

Lasting Fruit
Almost monthly I receive information on former Grace students who have a long ministry of integrity. Former college students Dan and Nancy Pryor are some 20 years into a ministry to inner-city peoples. Pastor Rich and Lynette Fisher continue in Atascadero building our Fathers Kingdom. Pastor Mike and Julie Kauffold have faithfully served in Montana at a Southern Baptist Church. The doors are open to "whosover will may come". Many others could be listed including Pastors Ken McDuff in Bakersfield and Paul Robie in Utah. Last week I received a note from Jenni (Waller) Ramsey who received Christ at Grace. She is the Director of Missions at New Harvest in Irvine, CA. Pastor Leroy was given a vision and a verse that continues to be fulfilled to this day. God has opened a door that no man can shut.

************************

Sermons-
Reflections of High School Years
Reflections on College Ministry