September 2026 Newsletter - Magazine - Page 7
Reflections of Love
A Special Tribute
For Ronald, Bishop Clinton became much more than the man standing behind the pulpit.
Bishop Clinton became his pastor, teacher, mentor, and spiritual example.
For approximately 14 of our 18 years in the ministry, Ronald had the privilege of serving
Bishop Clinton as his armor bearer. That position gave him an opportunity to see ministry
from a perspective that could never have been learned from a classroom or a book.
Bishop Clinton, thank you for allowing Ronald to walk closely with you.
Thank you for allowing him to observe the ebb and flow of ministry4not only what happens
behind the pulpit, but what it takes to faithfully carry the responsibility of pastoring God9s
people.
Thank you for teaching him how to serve before leading.
Thank you for trusting him enough to allow him to flow in ministry and giving him
opportunities to exercise and develop the gifts God had placed within him.
Thank you for allowing him to see the wisdom, prayer, preparation, sacrifice, discernment,
patience, and love that ministry requires.
Those years helped prepare the pastor he would eventually become.
And even today, although Ronald now pastors the ministry God has entrusted to us, he still
honors the wisdom God placed in his pastor. Bishop Clinton, your counsel continues to
matter. Your voice continues to be respected. Your wisdom continues to be sought, and your
years of experience continue to help guide him as he leads God9s people.
That relationship is something we deeply treasure.
Dr. Mary L House, your example has been equally precious to our family.
Thank you for showing us what it looks like to serve alongside your husband, to love God9s
people, to give of yourself, and to remain faithful through the many seasons of ministry. Your
love, strength, prayers, support, and example have left an imprint upon our family that we will
always carry.
Together, the two of you gave our family something that went far beyond church attendance.
You helped give us a spiritual foundation.
When we look back over these 18 years, we realize that when Gloria first walked through
those doors, she was carrying the future of our family with her without even knowing it.
