Appreciation: Ben Leonard.

Monday, October 04, 2010
Appreciation: Ben Leonard. The month of October is Pastor Appreciation Month, so I thought it fitting to spend the first few days of this month sharing my appreciation for some pastors that have impacted my life. I want to start off with my current pastor, Ben Leonard.
The first time I heard him preach he did a toe touch. He was 72 at the time, and I thought he might be in his late 50’s, early 60’s, tops. He and I had already talked about the possibility of my coming to Victory to serve as Youth Pastor fulltime, and he had asked me to come on a Sunday simply as a visitor, unannounced, to see what I thought of the church. I was instantly sold. And the rest is history, as they say. Fast forward 8 years to 2010…
I served alongside Bro. Ben for just short of 6 years when God took me to Hot Springs to Pastor. He used that experience to teach me many things, and after about 2 ½ years He brought me back home to Victory. I can tell you that one lesson He taught me while away was very direct: be thankful for the friend I have in Ben Leonard. Not all friends are as true, faithful, and unconditional. So today, I’m grateful for your friendship.
Vision – a necessary ingredient to any pastor’s heart. And Ben Leonard is no exception to this rule. For 20 years he has led Victory Baptist Church. From the early days as a new start up, to present day and about 250 folks strong on a Sunday morning. He’s touched countless lives, and he has a God-given vision to be a part of touching countless more. And he wants for Victory to be about the Father’s business – bringing the Gospel to lost men, women, boys and girls, whether they live in Cabot, Arkansas, Mongolia, Kenya, Belize, or anywhere else on this sphere called Earth. So today, I’m grateful for your vision.
Compassion – a virtue sorely lacking in the hearts of many leaders today. Yet time after time, I’ve seen Bro. Ben offer hugs of compassion to breaking hearts. I’ve even been the recipient of this compassion last fall when my own world was seemingly falling apart. He’s been “to the hog pen” as he says, and that time spent there has given him a compassion and grace for folks going through the tough stuff that only experience can grant. So today, I’m grateful for your compassion.
I could go on for days about what I’m thankful for in my pastor, but I’ll simply close with this last thought: I’m thankful for you. You’ll be 80 in just a matter of months, and I still think you’re one of the greatest there are. It’s an honor to work alongside you as your Youth Pastor. It’s an even greater honor to count you a friend, and a close one at that. I’m looking forward to many more years of serving Him with you. So today, thank you Bro. Ben Leonard, for being you.


That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
Blake

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