I have been so overwhelmed the past few days. I received a call a week ago that my beloved pastor Dr. M. D. Treece was at the point of passing. I knew he was so ill and had been so ill for such a long time, but his passing was not even a part of my thinking. I began to pray, that the Lord would do a marvelous miracle in his life.
I received the call on Thursday morning that this great man had passed from this life. I must say I along with so many was devastated. At the same time I knew my beloved pastor, mentor, friend and giant of the faith was no longer suffering as he has done now for so many years of his life. My thoughts immediately went to Sister Betty Treece, Sister Paula Anderson, Rev. Rick Treece and all of their family members. I knew this family who is so close was now hurting and feeling such a deep loss in their lives. I changed praying for my long time pastor Dr. M. D. Treece to praying for his beautiful family.
It was later in the day that I finally talked to Brother Rick Treece and he requested I use a portion of the letter that I had blogged on December 12, 2010 as a portion of my comments at the memorial of our beloved Dr. M. D. Treece. I must confess I was overwhelmed with the thought that the Treece family asked me to be a part of my mentor's home going service.
I have been a part of near a hundred memorial services over the past twenty three years of my life, but never one that has impacted me like this service, because it was for my hero, Dr. M. D. Treece. I was somewhat concerned that I might not be able to hold my composure at this service and I sure did not want to make any errors or mistakes, certainly did not want to hurt the Treece family. I felt so inadequate in my ability for that service, "Who am I," to have a part in the memorial of such a great mans life?
What a great send off? What a great service? I want to personally thank the Treece family for including me in this great occasion. This has been a highlight of my ministry and will be remembered the rest of my days. To the great church family of Apostolic Temple you are the greatest. I have never been to a church that handled a service of this magnitude any better. Everything was first class, I commend you all. I extend my thanks to the church family also, thank you all for making me feel a part of our great church family.
To Sister Betty Treece, you are to be commended for preserving the dignity of my wonderful Pastor and mentor these past few years of his illness. You are one of the greatest ladies I have ever known. You are also my hero.
Brother Russell and Sister Paula, words cannot be expressed to tell you how much I love you and your family. I thank you for simply being my friend over these past few years. I know your loss is beyond measure and I do not have the words to tell you how to over come the deep sorrow and grief, but i can tell you the Lord is walking beside you in this time of your loss.
To the wonderful Grandchildren of Brother M. D. Treece, what beautiful godly young people you are. The legacy of your beloved PaPa will forever live on in your lives. What a great tribute you three paid to your PaPa. I was so proud of your comments Brother Jordan Anderson, his wonderful grandson. Then to top the night off the beautiful voices of your sister Lauren Beckham and your Cousin Lacey Treece your tribute was so great to your PaPa.
Then to my wonderful Pastor R. D. Treece and your lovely wife Sister Diana Treece you are two of the greatest. I do not have the words to tell you how to handle this great loss, but I can tell you that the memories of your father, will be your stay in the days to come. These memories will become your strength. When you need direction and have questions you can go back into this great memory pool to find the answers that you are searching for. I have watched the work of your father flourish under your leadership and am always so proud to tell others you are my friend. I have always been loyal to your dad as my pastor, because he has covered my ministry for the past twenty three years and my life for the past thirty three years. I now place my ministry and my life under your covering as my pastor from this day forward. I will be loyal to you and your ministry, which I feel I already have been before this date. If you ever need me or my services I will do my best to fulfill your wishes.
I love you Pastor,
I love the Treece family,
I love Apostolic Temple,
Forever I will be your son in the gospel, Rod Bankens
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
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