This past week we received the news that Pastor Ken Adrian left this world for his eternal home. For the government, he is just simply another statistic for COVID-19. For all who knew him, there is great loss.
As I read all the comments this week about his life and ministry, the common word that was interlaced in all the threads was “Encourager.” If you knew Pastor Adrian, then you knew an encourager. This morning I have collected a few of the comments that were so meaningful to me this week as I read them.
On a personal level, he was a pastor’s pastor. He made it his aim to encourage many of us who were a generation or two behind him. He looked us up, remembered key bits of information, engaged us in conversation, and sought to encourage us in the Lord and His work. I’m not sure how many conversations we had over the years, but the past two years have been so fun. As he learned about the purchase of our church’s land and watched the building go up, he was always interested in talking about it. He never left without a word of encouragement or kindness. Since he lived in Nixa, it was often on his mind. He communicated that and prayed often for us. He never did get to take that tour and visit as he had wished.
Bottom line… as you go to church today, seek to be that encourager as well. Seek to be that person who understands the power of a spoken word, a smile, and the importance of encouragement. Strive to be the kind of person that people want to see, want to run into, and want to be around. Why? Because of your intentional gifts of encouragement to those around you. As Pastor Adrian did, we would do well to encourage those around us as well.
Testimony for Friends on Social Media
Here are some clips from social media that all speak to Pastor Adrian’s desire to encourage others. These are just a few of many that could go here. Plus, I’ve been blessed with some deeply personal conversations this week as well with those who loved him, were served by him, and will miss him.
- “I loved running into him around town. The last visit he and I had was at a Starbucks. Neither one of us did what we were there to do. Instead we talked for over an hour. He was such an encourager.” – Craig Carson
- “One of the kindest and most godly men I ever had the privilege to know. … He was my wife’s pastor in Phoenix and always treated me just like I had grown up in his church. I met him in 1994 and was immediately impressed with his personal interest in me and his distinct ability to encourage, whoever he spoke with. In 1995, we were thrilled to have him officiate our wedding. This evening I have read comments about him being a Pastor’s pastor, an encourager, a great pastor, and on and on. I fully agree with all of those statements. To know him was to love him. Speaking of encouragement, you would come to visit him in the hospital and he would do the majority of the encouragement. It was sad to not be able to visit him during this pandemic. I am so thankful for our last visit to his doorstep recently. He loved our family in more than just words, he showed it. We loved him too!” Jon Jones
- “Ken Adrian was one of the finest Christian gentleman I knew. He was such a good friend and encourager to me personally.” – Keith Bassham
- “I didn’t have the privilege of knowing him for many years but he was such a kind and encouraging person that just knowing him briefly had a great impact. He had a way of making you feel like the most important person in the world. For a few years (before Covid) we had a standing “coffee date” at church every Sunday morning. We would sip our coffee together for about 10 minutes and catch up before services started. I always left feeling blessed and cared for. That’s how I’m picturing him in heaven right now. He’s drinking coffee and encouraging the other saints and letting Jesus know how wonderful it all is.” – Renee Brumett
- “Our friend, our pastor twice, East Side BC, Denver, CO and Ryan Road BC, Warren, MI. He and Judy watched over us when we moved to Warren, MI – they made sure we had family there since our families were far away in Texas/Oklahoma. They’d invite us over for various holidays to share with their kids (their families were also far away from MI.) Ken would often have us get a sitter for our kids and he would take Judy and us out for a dinner (date night) at some place he’d discovered, . He’d purposely drive to the definitely wrong place, park the car and start to get out – then change his mind – all to get a rise out of Judy, “Oh Kenny, we’re not going in there!?” Then we’d go to where he really intended to go and share a meal and wonderful fellowship. As parents of 2 boys (one that was quite sick at that time) we appreciated the night out with friends. One time he loaned us his Buick Riviera to take to the BBFI May meeting. While in Springfield the wire wheel covers were stolen off the car at the hotel – how embarrassing for us. He never made a big deal out of it saying a phrase learned from his son Terry, ‘No sweat!'” – Bob Pentecost
Encourage Someone Today
On this Sunday… take some intentional time to encourage someone.
Therefore encourage each other and edify one another,… (1 Thess 5:11)
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but encouraging one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb 10:23-25)
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (Eph 4:29)
If you do not have a church home, feel free to worship with us either in-person or online at 10:00 AM CST. You can get directions online at www.sonrisebaptist.com or can join our service online.
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
