The Reverends:

I almost never call myself "Reverend," or sign my name "Rev. Howard Merrell." It is certainly not that I am ashamed of the designation. On the contrary--I hope in the right sense--I am very proud to be a part of that privileged few, who shepherd God's people, teach God's word and seek to challenge the church to move forward with God's program in this age.
The ranks of we "Men of the cloth," though the cloth of preference is likely to be denim, has been recently expanded by two.
Rev. Brandon Lomasney grew up in the Covington Bible Church. It was my privilege to do the wedding ceremony for his mom and dad. Brandon graduated from Word of Life Bible Institute and Liberty University. He was recently ordained by Temple Baptist Church, here in Covington. Shortly after becoming a Reverend, Brandon also picked up another title, husband. Congratulations to he and Samantha.
Actually, I can't call Jacob Morse Reverend just yet. As the old saying goes, though, "It's all over but the shouting." Jacob came to our church after a profound tragedy. Jacob's birth-father murdered his birth-mom, and is now serving a life-without-the-possibility-of-parole sentence for his crime. Jacob was a confused eight-year-old when his Aunt and Uncle began the process of becoming his mom and dad. Jacob is likewise a graduate of Word of Life and Liberty University. He is currently on staff, as Pastoral-Intern, here at Covington Bible Church. He, his wife Crystal, one-year-old daughter, Kiera, and another little girl to be born in July, plan to serve the Lord with Word of Life Korea.
Jacob was examined by a group of pastors and Christian leaders this past Saturday. In particular I enjoyed the fact that two CBC missionaries--guys we had ordained in recent years--Fred Stromberg and Pink Davis, were able to participate in the ordination council, via skype. In spite of the fact that the previous week had been one of great emotion and stress--Jacob's dad was involved in a life-threatening car wreck on Tuesday prior to Jacob's examination. In fact we weren't sure that we could proceed until Thursday--Jacob answered the questions offered by the council in a more than satisfactory manner. These eight leaders found Jacob to be of sound testimony and belief, and a man who is capable of handling the word of God effectively. Their recommendation was for the Covington Bible Church to proceed with the ordination of Jacob. We'll be doing that Sunday, May 9, at 3:00 PM. You are invited. A reception for the Morses will follow.

I was privileged to be these guys pastor as they grew through childhood, teendom, and young-adulthood. In particular both these guys were part of a Sunday School class that I was privileged to teach when these guys were in seventh and eighth grade. In a track meet passing the baton in a relay-race takes but a second. Passing the torch to the next generation of Christian leadership takes years.
Run guys! Run hard! Who's next?