Roger

After I came to Christ, my mother was the first to realize that something was different.   Following my conversion I worked late into one night alongside mom while she was canning tomatoes.   I said, “Mom, I went to the altar at camp and gave my heart to the Lord.”   She looked at me through loving eyes and replied, “I knew something happened.   I’m proud of you.”   And then she kissed me on the cheek.   Little did I know at the time, but mom’s days on earth were numbered. Two summers later, my mother awakened one morning not feeling well and by evening was bowed low in pain.   A wrong diagnosis in the emergency room sent her back home, only to have her return the next day.   By the time the problem was properly diagnosed, gangrene had worked a destructive toll on key internal organs.   Infection brought on a raging fever.   It was too late for even the strongest antibiotics. For eight weeks she reeled in pain, solaced only by massive do...

Jefferson, the seat of Ashtabula County (Ohio’s largest county in square miles), is historically rich.   Established in 1805, it was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson.   Lawyer, statesman Joshua Reed Giddings built his quaint law office here in 1823.   He practiced law with Senator Benjamin Wade and wrote the first draft of the Republican Party platform in 1856.   Before the Civil War, they were among the nation’s leaders in the anti-slavery movement.   Jefferson is home to several buildings listed on the National Register, including Lawyer Row, the old courthouse and the Joshua Giddings law office, now adjacent to the Jefferson Police Department. Jefferson is my hometown.   Even though the years called me away, my heart never strayed.   For when it comes down to it, the village is much more than buildings.   It is people!   At 18, I was eager to explore the world beyond Ashtabula County.   Now at 61, I have returned to my roots.  ...

My wife and I grew up in church when the musical portion of our service was called "the song service."  The phrase "praise and worship" became popular in the 1980's.  I mostly recall hymns and the old-time choruses being sung in our church during the 60's and 70's. Blessed Assurance  was one of my favorite hymns and at summer youth camp we sang with gusto "Everyday with Jesus "   over and over.  Perhaps you remember: Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. Everyday with Jesus, I love Him more and more. Jesus saves and keeps me; and He's the One I'm waiting for. Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. In those day, service flow was seldom emphasized and the compilation of pre-selected song lists was not stressed.  Service components were often unrelated, not like the fast-moving, deliberately planned services found in many churches today.  Of course, there were exceptions, as every generation hails people who init...

If I had my way, every chair in my house would be a rocking chair.  When I was still in diapers, I'd sit in the middle of the floor and rock.  Today, when I visit in homes, I search for a rocker.  I think they should design pews that rock.  Occasionally, I notice myself rocking in straight back chairs.  I don't mind waiting outside for a table at Cracker Barrel, because I get to enjoy "rocking chair row."  Maybe I'm off my rocker! While still using a high chair, I refused to eat toast unless it was first rubbed on the floor. Why did I develop such quirks?  Maybe I need counseling.  Perhaps these oddities were warning signs of things to come.  Perhaps God was preparing me for the weird times in ministry.  Who knows?  My Aunt Dorlene still laughs about my eccentricity.  She let me rock and gave me all the toast I wanted--dirt and all! I'm just glad God never asked me to preach an illustrated sermon by walking around naked for thr...

Hope Community Church was birthed in 1974, that is, in my heart. I was born in Ashtabula and grew up in Jefferson, graduating from Jefferson Area High School. I came to faith in Christ at the age of 14 while attending youth camp.   I  also felt a call to full-time ministry. During the summer of 1974, I struggled with what to do regarding my perceived need to remain at home or to leave for college.   One day, while walking in the field behind my home and feeling overwhelmed, I cried out to the Lord for direction.   I  fell to the ground, sobbing in the high grass and heard the Lord say, “ He who does not forsake, father, mother, brother or sister for my sake is not fit for the kingdom of God.   One day you will return to Jefferson and plant a church. ”   That promise came to pass 40 years later! I subsequently attended Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, where I met Lori Owens.   We  married in 1977, and  o ver the next 35 years,...