This marks my last submission to the Westside Express as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church. Since 1999 I have tried to faithfully serve Christ in Los Banos.

Those who have known me may recall as many miscues as successes in terms of my administrative abilities. But despite my many shortcomings, the Lord has been good to this fellowship that began in 1948.

My wife, Janet, who has worked for the Central California Irrigation District for almost as many years as I’ve pastored here, has been a source of emotional strength and moral fortitude and I can never thank God enough for what she has meant to me and my life.

Our children, though grown, have equally been an endless source of encouragement and love.

My folks, who are now at rest, were such strong standards of faith. Likewise, my brothers and sisters that, again I can only submit a very humble thanks to God for each of them, have been standards of faith in my life. Though I owe them all endless words of sincere praise.

However, ultimately and finally, it’s been God’s grace through His Son, and my Savior, Jesus Christ, that has seen me and my family through. To Him we owe our profoundest gratitude and affection.

At the risk of droning on as though I were receiving an Academy Award, let me close this article by quoting Patrick Henry, who near the time of his death in 1799 said, “I have now disposed of all my property to my family.

“There is one thing more I wish I could give them and that is my faith in Jesus Christ. If they had that and I had not given them anything else, they would be rich; and if they didn’t have faith, yet I had given them all the world, they would be poor indeed.”

Join us for Worship at 10:30 a.m. this and every Sunday.

We welcome you and your family and encourage you to visit our website www.cbclosbanos.com. On our website you’ll find videos of our most recent services as well information about our fellowship so that you can feel comfortable and confident when you visit.

Feel free to call us at 209-826-3682, or text us at 209-675-2325 or email us at cbclosbanos@cbclosbanos.com anytime.

The Westside Express