Transition-Looking_Back_and_Looking_Forward.pdf

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.—James 1:17

God the Father doesn’t change, but his gifts do. This life is by definition not permanent. Change happens. Accordingly, Tom & Jeanie Eckblad are changing with the relentless turning of calendar pages in this temporary life. But their ministry is not over. Rather, it is modulating from one key to another.

We thank God for the investment they have made in their seven years at Bethlehem. Many recipients of winsome counsel and care thank God for the ministry of the Eckblads. They have taken on some very complex and difficult situations and cried out to the Lord for wisdom and grace to handle them well. The impact of their ministry has been felt inside and outside of Bethlehem.

One member says, “As a result of being in one of his Soul Care classes, my heart always wells up with joy and thanksgiving when I see Tom. I praise the One who makes possible Tom’s steadfast joy and patience in loving people.”

After Tom participated in a participated in a Spiritual Life Conference (renewal event for Bethlehem global partners and other missionaries), one of the participants contacted me to say how helpful Tom’s part had been to those who attended the conference.

A Bethlehem leader points to Tom’s mentoring of Luis Méndez (Tom & Jeanie speak fluent Spanish, having been missionaries in South America for 11 years) and Tom’s investment in the Spanish-speaking community at Bethlehem as being so timely and providential with the influx of Hispanic immigration to Minnesota in recent years.

In their fleeting years among us at Bethlehem, we have seen them face such difficulties as a broken leg from a slip on Minnesota ice, Jeanie’s eye problems, Tom’s adventure with Parkinson’s, and a grandchild born with serious disadvantages. And yet I have never heard Tom complain or grumble.

I asked Tom about this.

“Sam, Christians are realists. We admit pain. We suffer. When a mother gives birth, she doesn’t pretend like it doesn’t hurt. And yet, we are not to grumble or complain. How can we admit that there is pain in this life, especially when we are facing it at the moment, and yet do so without murmuring against God?”

His answer was immediate and came right out of Romans 8: “We groan with all creation (verse 22) yet we know that God is working it all together for the good of those who love him (verse 28).” There is a way to groan without complaining, to suffer with thanksgiving.

As Tom & Jeanie transition (they are not “retiring”) they plan to expand their work among Spanish speakers and continue counseling—and Tom is already at work on a couple book manuscripts. In addition, they have grandchildren in whom they would love to make greater direct investment.

When Tom leaves staff at the end of December, Bethlehem will still give attention to life challenges and issues in Christ’s Body. When you face a significant difficulty in life and would like some information on Christ-centered options available to you, consider contacting Karla Elsenbroek (612-455-3474), Administrator for Congregational Care (Pastor Tom’s assistant), who will remain Bethlehem’s main contact person for counseling needs.

Pray for Tony Campagna, who chairs the elder subcommittee evaluating how Bethlehem should provide biblical counsel as part of our overall discipleship. Tony also chaired the committee that produced the “Guiding Philosophy for Counseling,” an adaption of the Confessional Statement of the Biblical Counseling Coalition. As soon as we have permission from the Biblical Counseling Coalition to use our adaptation, we’ll make it public to Star readers and others.

Meanwhile, we thank our unchanging Father for the temporary gifts he gives to us, and we look forward with eagerness to see next good thing he will add to our experience.

Joining the Eckblads in looking back with thanksgiving and looking forward with eagerness,

Sam Crabtree
Executive Pastor/Lead Pastor for Life Training