Father's Day Triad
In you our fathers trusted . . . and you delivered them (Ps. 22:4).
Fatherhood has never been easy, but its grave responsibilities come with divine rewards for both fathers and their children, as these comments from three College Church dads suggest:
Jim Behel
Reflecting on my role as a father and grandfather, I never imagined how far reaching it would be both geographically and influentially! Having children and grandchildren on two continents making societal and church contributions is a sobering responsibility. Now I can understand better how God has used me as a father in His master plan to grow the kingdom. I pray that my spiritual leadership has pleased Him and that He blesses my descendants in their own leadership roles.
Brandon Lowe
Being an adoptive parent has brought intense challenges that overpower your own strength, forcing a deeper dependence on God and prayer. Being a father of children with past trauma has led to a reordering of values. Success becomes less about milestones and accomplishments and more about treasuring those moments of connection, laughter, or small victories as profound gifts from God. I have experienced love, gratitude, and the heart of the Father more intimately than I ever imagined.
David Anguish
I doubt Dad ever heard John Westerhoff’s terms “owned” and “inherited” faith (Will Our Children Have Faith?), but he always modeled belief in the former. Because he let my sisters and me grow our faith, not parrot his, I wanted my sons to do the same. But practice is harder than theory; for them to own their faith meant reaching some conclusions I don’t share. The effort is ongoing, but worth the risk, a measure of grace that I hope is extended to my grandchildren.
Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight (Prov. 1:4).
Fatherhood has never been easy, but its grave responsibilities come with divine rewards for both fathers and their children, as these comments from three College Church dads suggest:
Jim Behel
Reflecting on my role as a father and grandfather, I never imagined how far reaching it would be both geographically and influentially! Having children and grandchildren on two continents making societal and church contributions is a sobering responsibility. Now I can understand better how God has used me as a father in His master plan to grow the kingdom. I pray that my spiritual leadership has pleased Him and that He blesses my descendants in their own leadership roles.
Brandon Lowe
Being an adoptive parent has brought intense challenges that overpower your own strength, forcing a deeper dependence on God and prayer. Being a father of children with past trauma has led to a reordering of values. Success becomes less about milestones and accomplishments and more about treasuring those moments of connection, laughter, or small victories as profound gifts from God. I have experienced love, gratitude, and the heart of the Father more intimately than I ever imagined.
David Anguish
I doubt Dad ever heard John Westerhoff’s terms “owned” and “inherited” faith (Will Our Children Have Faith?), but he always modeled belief in the former. Because he let my sisters and me grow our faith, not parrot his, I wanted my sons to do the same. But practice is harder than theory; for them to own their faith meant reaching some conclusions I don’t share. The effort is ongoing, but worth the risk, a measure of grace that I hope is extended to my grandchildren.
Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight (Prov. 1:4).
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