GIVING HONOR TO WHOM IT IS DUE

What can one say about a man who has impacted thousands of lives not only locally but around the world and with forty years of ministry leading the same church? Pastor Stan J. Tharp stepped down today at Christian Life Center in Dayton, Ohio. Although we are to exalt no man except for our Lord, the Bible says to “give honor to whom honor is due.” Stan was my first pastor when I was born again decades ago. He kindly acquiesced to meet with me in his office to hear my heart which was burning to serve the Lord. Through the years Stan has been a father in the faith, my pastor, mentor, boss, and friend. I want to thank God for putting him into my life, and offer a personal “thank you” to a humble man of God who guided, encouraged, taught, and believed in me, a former substance abuser, whom God called into the ministry. He believed in me and the calling even when others didn’t. I know that today thousands of personal stories could be shared by others about the Tharps’ impact upon lives. There’s so much more I could write here but will keep it short and sweet. The story of Stan & Joyce Tharp and their family at CLC could literally fill a book. However, there are so many new chapters yet to be written as they embark on a new journey in their lives.
Next to God and my wife, a best buddy, and among other living human beings, I am extremely grateful for Stan Tharp, whom I could never repay for all that he has poured into my life through the years. I love this man of God, and thank the Lord for him. May this new journey in which the Lord is taking Stan & Joyce be filled with much love, joy, adventure, and fulfillment impacting many more souls with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The following verse is the very first one ever spoken over me, a newly born again believer, during our first meeting in Stan’s office, and I pray it over him today…
“He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).