Tony Evans on wife's legacy, navigating grief, and trusting God 'even when He's confusing' - The Christian Post
Tony Evans on wife's legacy, navigating grief, and trusting God 'even when He's confusing' - The Christian Post |
| Posted: 11 Mar 2020 08:43 AM PDT  NASHVILLE — For Pastor Tony Evans, the past year has been riddled with tremendous loss, uncertainty and grief. "It's been a tough year," Evans, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, told The Christian Post during a sit-down interview in Nashville, Tennessee. "I lost my brother, lost my sister, lost my sister's husband, lost my niece of a sudden heart attack at 39," he said. "I lost my father, and I lost my wife. My daughter Priscilla had lung surgery due to some growth irregularities that needed to be removed. My oldest daughter Chrystal has a growth in her leg that's suspect. We've had a lot of challenges this year." Yet through it all, Pastor Evans stressed, he can confidently say: "God is faithful, even when He's confusing." "We're trusting in Him day by day, in spite of the challenges and the loss," he shared. "Sometimes you have to learn to trust God in the dark when there is not clarity, when He becomes inscrutable. You have to have enough foundation before that happens to weather the storm when that happens." Trusting God when it doesn't make sense, Evans said, is a "decision of the will." "It's often not supported by the emotions, because you're not feeling what you're trusting," he explained. "It's a decision to act like God is telling the truth, to act like God knows what He is doing. That's what we choose to do and continue to choose to do day by day." "It's important to not give up on God when life appears to have given up on you. It's easy to trust God when everything is right, blessings are flowing, prayers are being answered, needs are being met. That's the fun part of the faith. But sometimes, you have to trust God when you don't see the benefits, the blessings, and all the frills of the faith." Lois Evans, Pastor Evans' wife of five decades and founder of Pastors' Wives Ministry, passed away on Dec. 30, 2019, after battling biliary cancer. She was honored with the Heroine of the Faith award at the NRB 2020 Christian Media Convention in Nashville on Feb. 28, recognizing her for "loving the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind and for loving others as yourself." Reflecting on his wife's legacy, Evans emphasized, "There's no part of my life and ministry where her footprints aren't felt." "Lois committed her life to Christ when she was 9. At 15, she told the Lord that she would serve Him in whatever capacity He called her to, so she kind of dedicated her life to service. We met at 18, and I saw her heart for the Lord and for ministry and we kind of connected around that." In addition to "helping me through school, mothering our four children, and leading them to the Lord," Evans said Lois assisted him both in starting their church and The Urban Alternative, a media ministry whose radio broadcasts are today heard by millions each week on more than 1,400 radio outlets across 130 countries. "She was there, every step of the way, to foster the Word of God and the name of Christ, whether it was counseling women, leading music, or growing our ministry," he shared. "There's no part of my life and ministry where her footprints aren't felt. Her absence leaves a big hole in our lives in our family and in our ministry." And Lois remained faithful to the very end, Evans said, adding, "Even in death, she just kept calling up the name of Jesus. She was ready to go. In fact, she said, 'Let me go' because it was clear that healing wasn't going to occur." "She was ready to make that transition. And so we had to piggyback on her faith in the midst of transition and learn to trust Him even when it was the hardest thing to do." In her final days, Lois caught several glimpses of eternity — sacred moments her entire family witnessed. "She saw her mother and father and she said, 'Why can't y'all see them?' She also said, 'The voices are telling me that my time is near. Let me go. I'm ready.' She let us know that what was hard for us, she was well prepared for," Evans remembered. While his wife's supernatural experience "kind of blew your mind," the pastor said it called to mind Acts 7:56, where Steven, as he was being stoned to death, "saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God." "Evidently there's this Twilight Zone, this space between time and eternity when you're in transition, that you get to see what's headed before you, making it easier to leave what's behind you," he explained. Even in his darkest moments, the influential pastor said he finds solace in "knowing God's character — that He is benevolent and He is good." "I have to look at 49 and a half years of marriage, where He was good," the No More Excuses author said. "Not the bad year and a half. Because if I only look at that and let that define me, then, of course, I might question the goodness of God even if I didn't want to question it." "But when I look at all the good that has been done in His kindness, the good days far outweigh the bad days, no matter how horrific. I have to keep going back to that and not let this season define my history." It's this mentality, Evans said, that sustains him as he continues his work and ministry without his partner. "Sometimes, it's harder than other times," he admitted. "But we press on. We're called to keep living, keep serving, keep preaching, keep proclaiming, keep witnessing." Recently, Evans became the first African American to have both a study Bible and a full-Bible commentary with his name. The theme of both books, the pastor told CP, is "advancing God's Kingdom agenda." "The 'Kingdom agenda' is defined as the visible manifestation of the comprehensive rule of God over every area of life," he said. "It is where God gets the final say. If God has the final say in every category, then that means He supersedes our history, our backgrounds, our race, our class, our culture. All that must be now subservient to His authority in every area."  "When that happens, when it applies to the individual, the family, the church and our civic engagement, then His will is done on earth as it is in Heaven." At 70, Evans told CP he has no plans to retire and will continue to dedicate his life to advancing the kingdom of God. Like his wife, Evans said he prays his life reflects Paul's words to Timothy: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." "I'm still in the game," he said. "You can't go to the sideline just because your teammate is not there with you. You've got to keep going because you know, you have to one day stand before the Lord too." Pain and sorrow in this life is a "guarantee," Evans said. "It's appointed that man must die, so we all have to bleed." It's of the utmost importance, then, to "make sure you are fighting a fight worth fighting," he stressed. "In other words, we spend a lot of time fighting the wrong things, things that don't matter," Evans contended. "We argue and fight each other over things that are insignificant. Make sure you're fighting a beneficial thing, that you're finding something that's worth the time, the effort, the energy, the sacrifice." "Be able to come to the end of your days and say, 'I did what I was put here to do. I didn't live a wasted life.' Live a life that allows you to anticipate the words, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant,' because you did what you were put here to do."  |
| FAITH MATTERS for Feb. 29, 2020 - Savannah Morning News Posted: 28 Feb 2020 12:00 AM PST Submit your event at savannahnow.com/calendar. Events printed in chronological order as space allows. Info at 912-652-0365. Christianity and LGBTQ+ community: 11:15 a.m. worship service March 1 at Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church, 1008 E. Henry St.; 12:30 p.m. March 2 in room 157, University Hall, 11935 Abercorn St., Georgia Southern Armstrong Campus. Speaker and author J.J. Warren will present his discussion followed by signing copies of his book "Reclaiming Church - A Call to Action for Religious Rejects." Lenten services: Wednesdays March 4-April 1; First Presbyterian Church, 520 Washington Ave.; buffet dinner $6, $2 child under 12. Following 6 p.m. dinner in Stewart Hall, a 40-minute service will begin at 6:45 p.m. in the sanctuary led by First members reflecting on "Wonderful Words of Life." All are invited. Chorus concert series: 7 p.m. Thursdays through March 19; Isles of Hope United Methodist Church, 412 Parkersburg Road; $100 for all for concerts at the church office or online at bit.ly/2SuTHGb. Proceeds to choir to participate with other choirs at Carnegie Hall in November. March 5, Isle of Hope Chamber Players, Terry Moore, Sarah Schenkman, Kevin Vogelsang; March 12, Vocal performer Kim Polote; March 19, Vocal performer Roger Moss. Interfaith Worship: 5 p.m. March 8; Thankful Missionary Baptist Church, 820 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. A program of the MLK Observance Day Association Inc., mlkingsavannah.com. Eternal Vision and David Livingston concert: 6 p.m. March 8; Whitemarsh Island Baptist Church, 59 Johnny Mercer Blvd.; free, refreshments served, love offering; Jim Bulluck at 912-695-6510. Celtic Cross Mass: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. March 8; Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 222 E Harris St.; savannahsaintpatricksday.com. A Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee event. Celtic Cross Procession and Ceremony: 1 p.m. March 8; Emmet Park; savannahsaintpatricksday.com. A Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee event. Passover Seder: 5:30 p.m. March 14; Trinity Lutheran Church, 12391 Mercer Blvd.; Pastor Jeff Webb at 912-925-4839. Guest speaker Steve Cohen at 8:30 and 11 a.m. March 15 services, 9:50 a.m. Bible study. Free will offering received for The Apple of His Eye Mission Society. Christian Women's Connection: noon March 25; Carey Hilliard's Banquet Room, 11111 Abercorn St.; RSVP by March 23 to Betty, 912-925-3789, Diane, 912-25872587 or email Savannahstonecroft@yahoo.com. Speaker is Corbina Ike of Rincon, a former business owner and Savannah tour guide, on "An All New Adventure." How to fight the good fight: 7 p.m. March 28; Saint James Parish, 8412 Whitefield Ave.; free and open to the public; stjamessav.com. "With Jesus in the Wilderness - Resisting the Tempter's Power" presented by award-winning journalist and best-selling author Paul Thigpen. ONGOING St. Elizabeth of Hungary Episcopal Church: 16491 Hwy. 144, Richmond Hill; 912-429-7264. Daily office morning prayer using Book of Common Prayer at 8:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. Contemplative Prayer Class at 6 p.m. Thursdays. Evening Mass in the Celtic tradition: 6:30 p.m. Sundays; St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1802 Abercorn St.; 912-232-0274. Young Mothers' Bible Study: 9 a.m. Tuesdays; Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 429 Abercorn St.; free; RSVP at 912-234-9245 or tbordeaux@prodigy.net. Nursery provided for infants and Bible Buddies course with Bible story and art project for preschool children. Feed His people: 9 a.m.-noon third Saturdays; Brown bags given out at Beulah Baptist Church, 619 E. Anderson St.; 912-234-8575. Family night activities: 5:45 p.m. Wednesdays, lecture series or Biblestudy to follow dinner; 6:15 p.m. Wednesdays, bible lecture series Kids Club for ages 7-17; Port Wentworth United Methodist Church, 201 Turnberry St.; $4, $2 for children, maximum of $10 per family, first supper free; Info/RSVP 912-964-4210. Nursery provided. Maritime Bethel: 6 p.m. worship, fellowship, dinner on first Thursday; Maritime Bethel at Savannah, 193 Main St., Garden City; 912-826-0206. Monthly giveaways of food, clothing, household items: 9 a.m.-noon second Saturday; Growing In Grace Ministries: 1517 Staley Ave.; the Rev. Bertha Edwards at 912-695-2044. New church office/worship service items needed: St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 30 Saint Paul AME St., Cobbtown; Brenda Edenfield at 912-314-9958. Computer with current software, 4-in-1 'printer,' drum set, musical keyboard. Contemplative prayer group: 10 a.m. Fridays; Library of First Presbyterian Church, 520 Washington Ave; 912-354-7615. All are welcome. Awana, Youth Bible Study and Fellowship, Adult Bible Study Family: Wednesdays, 6 p.m. meal, 6:30 p.m. Awana, youth, 7 p.m. adult; $4 individual or $9 family for meal; nursery for 2 and younger for parents in Bible study; North Salem Baptist Church, 955 Hwy. 30, Port Wentworth; 912-777-9382. Summer worship: 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday with Holy Communion, at Lutheran Church of the Ascension, 120 Bull St., and 5:30 p.m. 912-232-4151 or stephanie@ascensionsavannah.org. Nursery on Sundays for ages 4 and under. Guyton Gospel Jam: 6-8 p.m. Sundays; Guyton Christian Church, 301 Pine St., Guyton. Musicians of any skill level invited to play along with simple, familiar Gospel music. Bring any instrument. Singers, listeners encouraged, as well. Bring the family and snacks to share. Orthodox Christians: Sundays 9 a.m. Orthos, 10 a.m. Devine Liturgy, 11:05 a.m. Sunday school (during school year); Fellowship Hour (times vary; Hellenic Center); St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church, 1400 Bull St. West; stpaulsgreekorthodox.org or 912-236-8256. English, Korean services: Korean services: 10 a.m. Bible Study and 11:15 a.m. worship service. English services at 10 a.m. worship service and 11:15 a.m. Bible Study; contact Rev. Stuart Fletcher, 912-598-1851; Savannah Korean Presbyterian Church, 6501 Waters Ave.; contact Rev. Yoon Sang Nam, 912-356-3555. Connor's Temple feeding the homeless: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday, 1-3 p.m. Wednesday; Connor's Temple Baptist Church, 509 W. Gwinnett St. Manna House Food Pantry & Thrift Store fall/winter hours: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, second Saturday of the month; 1210 Patriot Drive, Rincon; 912-826-2037. Thrift store open to public, pantry assists Effingham County residents with food, clothing, household needs. Donations accepted Monday- Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Youth student ministry: 7 p.m. Wednesdays; The Sanctuary of Savannah, gym, 8912 Whitefield Ave; Students grades 6-12 welcome to attend youth group student ministry; 912-691-1148 or thesanctuarysav.org. Savannah Deanery Latin Mass: 1 p.m. Sundays; Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 222 E. Harris St.; 912-233-4709 or savannahcathedral.org. Free Bibles: Life ministries is offering free Bibles to people who allow them to make a 10-minute presentation in their church. For more information, call 912-695-6510. Donations needed for low-income families: Life Bridge Inner City Ministries in Savannah seeks funds and food items for families living below poverty level and the homeless. Seeking donations, such as non-perishable items, can goods, toiletries, turkeys, hams, blankets, and more. Contact Pastor Jonathan Brown at 912-856-0663. L.I.F.E. Ministries Bible study: 7 p.m. first and third Tuesdays; L.I.F.E. Ministries, 114 Wynngate Road, Wilmington Island; Jim Bulluck, 912-695-6510. 12-Step Recovery Eucharist/Holy Communion: 9 a.m. fourth Saturdays; St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1802 Abercorn St.; Rev. Charles Todd at 912-232-0274. Gregorian Chant sung by candlelight: 9 p.m. Sundays by the Service of Compline (night prayer) Choir; Christ Church Anglican, 2020 Bull St.; 912-355-7730. Prayer Faith & Deliverance Ministry Savannah Mission Project: 207 Elm St., Bloomingdale; Collecting nonperishable food, water, soaps, hand sanitizers, blankets, clothes for the lost, hurt and homeless in Savannah. LaQuanda Middleton-Diabene at 912-631-8864.  |
| You are subscribed to email updates from "words of life fellowship church" - Google News. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States | |
Comments
Post a Comment