Yesterday, one of the first elders at MVBC died, Gerry Chatham. It was a joy to have him. From my arrival in Atlanta in 2008, Gerry and his wife, Carolyn, have been a constant source of encouragement to me. He died a year after he had been diagnosed with Leukemia. He fought hard the entire time, sharing the gospel with whomever would listen (and some who probably wouldn't).
The past few months, Gerry had been able to attend small meetings fairly regularly. So he contributed as an elder here until the very end. But he couldn't attend the large gathering of MVBC since his immune system was so weak. Last August the Elders met for a two-day retreat. We talked about the previous Sunday morning service, discussing small changes that could be made to improve it. I remember Gerry saying wistfully, "From where I sit, the service is perfect." He missed being with the body of Christ.
He began the youth basketball season in 2012 coaching my son's 9 and 10 year old team. Gerry's own grandson was on the team, too. Gerry had a mask on (to keep germs away) as he demonstrated the pick and roll. He knew how to work the kids hard and how to encourage them. It was obvious he loved to coach. A few weeks into the season, he had to bow out. His body was failing. Gerry's son admirably stood in his father's place and finished the season.
Gerry told me how he came to grow more as a Christian. He was in his thirties working in Illinois. His small church hosted some visitors from out of town. One of them was a man by the name of Homer Bozarth. He was a carpenter. When Gerry talked about Homer, his eyes lit up. He'd never met someone who so obviously loved Jesus Christ and wanted to serve him. Homer spoke to Gerry about living out the faith not just on Sunday, but everyday. Gerry listened, and his faith grew steadily.
Gerry faithfully served MVBC. He could be critical, but he was always willing to be part of the solution. After serving as an elder for a few months, and discovering the types of issues that pastors address, he fiercely concluded that the lone pastor model was a bad idea. The senior pastor should be surrounded by men who will carry the weight of the ministry with him. Gerry did that, until the very end. I'm thankful for his ministry.
A service to praise God for his life will take place on Monday at 1pm at MVBC.
It was almost a year ago that Gerry sat in my office and shared a few thoughts about how he was doing as the battle against Leukemia had begun. He identified himself as "a sinner saved" with much to be thankful for. Fresh in his mind was a passage of Scripture that he had been meditating upon, 2 Corinthains 12:9-10.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I [Paul] will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
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