I was encouraged recently by reading the story of Philip in Acts chapter 8. He preached the gospel to large numbers of people in Samaria. Then he was called away to minister to one man. After that he lived in relative obscurity. At least we are not told any more about him except for a brief mention in Acts 21.
His story blessed me because it reminded me of my own experience. In the good providence of God, I was also honored to preach the word before large numbers of people. For four decades I was privileged to serve as senior pastor of two significant churches, Calvary Baptist Church of Covington, Kentucky, and Metropolitan Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
By God’s grace, I was invited to preach and teach overseas in several countries of Africa, Asia, South America and Europe. I did not seek these opportunities. I simply went through the doors the Lord opened and obeyed his call. Looking back on all this fills me with amazement.
When I retired from local church ministry in 2018 at the age of 72, I went through a period of emotional withdrawal. I really missed the regular weekly rhythm of study and preaching, the care of souls, and planning for corporate worship. My ministry focus changed to an investment in the lives of a few individuals who were interested in discipleship, and writing this blog every week.
Then came the Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2022. Tremors, choking, balance, difficulty with handwriting became distractions to me, and I am sure, to others. This motivated Connie and me to move from Oklahoma City to Valdosta, Georgia, to live near our daughter Carrie and her family. This move was a big adjustment after 32 years in OKC. The Lord is giving us new friends and a new home here in South Georgia.
This is where the story of Philip touched me. I read that the Lord led Philip away from his influential public ministry in Samaria where he had been preaching to large crowds. Many had been converted to faith in Jesus and were baptized in his name. But Philip was called away to a solitary ministry to one man.
Then I noticed that Philip’s world got even smaller. He was led by the Holy Spirit to a life we know little about in Caesarea. What was he doing there? We only know that he was identified as “Philip the evangelist” (Acts 21:8). He had a house in Caesarea which was, apparently, his permanent residence. Did he have a ministry from that home base? Twenty years separate his public ministry in Acts 8 from his private life in Acts 21. Surely he continued to be a witness for the Lord, even in obscurity.
We are told he had four daughters “who prophesied” (Acts 21:9). This means that they were believers, and that they were equipped by the Holy Spirit with the gift of prophesy. They used their gift to serve the Lord. This says good things about Philip’s influence as a Christian father. Those twenty years were not wasted. They were invested wisely in his family.
What I learn from this is that fame is not important. Large numbers are not important. Ministry to a single individual can be as important as ministry to a crowd. What matters is faithfulness. In my case that means that I want to be ready to fulfill whatever ministry the Lord sends my way, personal witness, occasional preaching or teaching, and mentoring, despite obvious physical limitations.
What matters is family. I am delighted to be able to enjoy gatherings with Carrie’s family. I am proud of my son-in-law and his international ministry which is flourishing. My adult grandsons honor me by wanting to continue breakfast Bible studies. I enjoy golf and fishing with my granddaughter. I want to use whatever influence I have to be an example to my family of how to finish well.
Like Philip.
Pastor Randy Faulkner