Rev. William "Bill" Stout

From the Pulpit ...

Several years ago I had the opportunity to teach a class for our West Virginia Baptist School of Christian Studies. This particular class was Church History. The textbook we used was a fascinating work which was titled, "The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History," by Kenneth Curtis, Stephen Lang, and Randy Petersen. While I had taken several church history courses in college and seminary, that was a very long time ago! So it was a pleasure to reacquaint myself with some very special people from the past. And it would not be a "reach" to call a few of them "heroes."

Consider St. Francis of Assisi. Born near the latter part of the thirteenth century, Francis Bernardone was the son a wealthy cloth merchant in Assisi, Italy. Because of the family wealth, he could have enjoyed a life of chivalry and affluence.

Assisi was at war with the neighboring town of Perugia, so Francis decided to fight for the city he loved. However, he was captured in battle and for a year was held as a prisoner of war. Shortly after his release, he became very ill. These experiences made him question the value of his inherited wealth.

A few years later an amazing event changed his life forever. While riding his horse one day, he noticed a leper by the road. Many times in the past, the sight of these beggars had nauseated him. But this time was very different. As Francis began to gallop past him, something stopped him in his tracks. This leper had the face of Christ! Overcome, Francis jumped off his horse and threw his arms around the leper, embracing him and even kissing him. Then he gave the man money, put him on his horse, and took him to his destination.

From that moment on, Francis was compelled to care for the needy, even though his own father scoffed at him and called him foolish. In 1206, Francis left home and renounced his father's wealth. His father disowned him. Francis dedicated himself to a life of poverty. He was never embarrassed to ask for alms from the "haves" in order to share with the "have-nots."

Francis felt called by God to preach in deserted chapels near Assisi. Soon he had eleven companions who would found the Franciscan Order. By 1218, there were over 3,000 followers. While the Church in Rome had amassed great wealth and power, Francis preached, taught, and lived a life of humility and service.

He died in 1226, and two years later he was canonized. His last words were, "I have done my duty; may Christ now teach you yours."

We have much to learn from St. Francis, and people like him. How different they are from so many in our society today who are consumed by their pursuit of material wealth and riches and power and influence! In a world that seems to find its heroes in the field of music, entertainment, and sports, and successful businessmen and women, how refreshing it is to meet and get to know people who work in soup kitchens and rescue missions and abused women's shelters and orphanages! How wonderful it is to know that God still calls persons to serve as missionaries and educators, nurses and doctors, rescue workers, and others - where the best compensation they receive is the knowledge that they have simply helped someone!

There are "heroes" among us today. We just need to look in the right places to find them.

Reverend Bill Stout, Pastor