I thought about entitling this post, “what I’ve learned from my friends.” That is after all, what this post is all about. However, I think the word that I am stuck on is “influence.” God has been so gracious in so many area’s of my life. I have been privileged to have been impacted by so many great men and women who love Jesus Christ. My time at The Master’s Seminary was filled with lessons learned from Godly individuals who served as great examples of what it means to live like Christ. Whether we like it or not, influence is something that we all have. Every relationship, every interaction, every day we have an opportunity to both influence and be influenced. I am grateful for the influence that others have had on me and praise God for those who have been bold enough to live a life for Jesus Christ. Influence can have eternal impact if you live for Jesus Christ.
I want to talk about some men whom I love and appreciate very much. I have spent much time with these men and can therefore speak to their character in a unique way. During the past year, I had the privilege of being one of six men who were part of an eight month residency program for church planters. Day in and day out, I was stretched, challenged, trained and equipped alongside these men and by these men. We grew together in our love for the church, God’s Word and each other. We saw one another through difficult theological issues, personal failures, unforeseen circumstances and incredible trials. God was gracious in giving me friends and comrades in the ministry for whom I have the utmost respect and whom have had tremendous influence in my life. I would like to take some time to introduce you to each of them and talk briefly about how they have influenced me personally.
(From left to right - Trevor Peacock, Ian Hales, Bryan Payne, Mark Schuler, Jeff Terrell, Eric Posteluk)
Bryan Payne
Bryan is a true Texan, through and through. He grew up all over the great state of Texas and has never lost his love for her. He and his wife Lindsey have two boys, Nathaniel and Caleb. Bryan and his family are planting a church in Austin, Texas where the motto is, “keep it weird.” If you know Bryan well enough you know that this motto alone is enough to draw him to Austin. Bryan’s love for Austin and desire to preach the gospel there is unshakable - God has clearly chosen Him for this ministry.
When I think of Bryan, I think of the gospel. The gospel is always on his heart and mind. Communicating it, being motivated by it, not neglecting to preach it and being consumed by it. His constant preoccupation with the gospel challenged me daily. Bryan is an extremely gifted and talented guy. He is quick witted and regularly made me laugh to the point of tears. Perhaps the greatest influence on my life was (and is) his graciousness and desire to serve. He was constantly thinking of ways to serve me and the other men. He would bring by food, buy my lunch, drive the whole team wherever we needed to go with no questions asked. Perhaps it was his southern hospitality, I prefer to believe it was his genuine love for the gospel and for others. He is a true friend who would die for those he loves. There are many examples of his love and his generosity. His encouragement was always at the right time and was thoughtful and specific. In fact, one of the most influential things he did for me was write me a letter when we first entered the program together. His letter was extremely heartfelt and had a tremendous impact on me as he affirmed me for ministry and expressed his gratitude for our friendship. I would often find little note cards of encouragement in a jacket pocket or in my laptop bag that meant very much to me. I am blessed to have afriend like Bryan who will challenge me, serve me and demonstrate the love of Christ to me. He has taught me much and I am grateful for his influence on my life.
Trevor Peacock
Trevor hails from the great country of Canada, and although he isn’t from the greatest part of the country (Toronto), the city of Calgary is stunning and I’m certain it has much to offer. All kidding aside, Trevor is planting a church in Calgary and has a great love for that city and the people who live there. Trevor has two beautiful girls, Hope and Gabriel, and a sweet wife, Heather, that is a great support and partner in the ministry.
Trevor modeled for me, day in and day out, what it means to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19). Perhaps it was the fact that he was the oldest in the group, but Trevor had a wisdom and maturity about Him that I respect very much and had a tremendous influence on me. He would never jump to conclusions or hold a position without giving it much thought and reflection. He was always willing to rethink a position and had a deep desire to line his heart and mind up with the truth of God’s Word. Trevor is extremely smart and is one of the most naturally likeable people I know. We had many laughs and his dry sense of humour was often the highlight of the day! His desire to grow and his persistent pursuit of Christ is a strong testimony to his integrity and character. Trevor demonstrated tremendous patience and love as he interacted with me and the other men. His great humility and commitment to excellence has challenged me to pursue the same. He is a hardworking, godly man and has great integrity. He is a treasured friend and his influence in my life cannot be overstated.
Eric Posteluk
Eric spent his childhood in Wisconsin and moved to Chicago in his early adult life. He and his wife Barbie have four beautiful girls, Corinn, Kiera, Karis and Kendra. Eric and his family are planting a church in Joliet, Illinois.
Eric is a man of prayer. He truly practices what the Scriptures command, “to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17).” Alongside his persistent prayer life is his incredible faith. Eric encountered some serious trials throughout our time in the training center and his remarkable faith was a tremendous testimony myself and the other men. His settled confidence in God’s sovereignty had a great influence on my own faith. He was unshakable and immovable because his hope was in the Lord. Eric is also a very compassionate and caring individual. He has a shepherd’s heart and a deep desire to lead God’s people in knowledge and truth. He is a man of the Word, and his insatiable appetite for it was a great encouragement in my spiritual life. He was committed to memorizing Scripture and fasting. He is a man of intense discipline and a man that I respect very much. Eric spurred me on in my spiritual disciplines and watching his commitment to make sure Christ was the first priority in his life was influential to say the least. His love for his wife and his family and his desire to disciple and lead them in the truth was such a blessing to watch and learn from. He is blessed beyond words with a wife and children who are growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ and they will have a profound impact on his ministry. His influence on my life is significant and I thank the Lord for my brother.
Mark Schuler
Mark is from the Chicago area and was actually saved through the ministry of James MacDonald. He has a deep knowledge and understanding of Harvest and has a great love for the church. He and His wife Stacy and their sweet baby Kate, followed the Lord’s leading to serve at a Harvest Church in Houston, Texas. They have committed to serving at that church for at least two years and will likely plant a church after that.
Mark is such an intense guy. He is an athlete and could likely have played college basketball. I have fond memories of Mark shooting the lights out at 7:00am in the morning and hitting the gym for an hour before that! He is disciplined and organized. When Mark puts his mind to something it get’s done. I have enjoyed getting to know Mark and have learned much from him. When I think of Mark, the word, “resolved” comes to mind. Mark is unwavering when it comes to the Truth and what is right. He has a deep desire to do what is pleasing to the Lord, no matter what it costs and no matter who opposes it. I have so much respect for his singleminded pursuit of Christ and his acute ability to speak from the Word of God at the appropriate time. Mark has influenced me greatly in the area of being uncompromising. He is unwilling to compromise on the truth and is willing to suffer the consequences for it. He does and will preach the Word with boldness and authority. He will proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ without watering down doctrine and truth. He will lead with strength and integrity and I have been blessed to be influenced by Him.
Jeff Terrell
Jeff is a former professional baseball player who grew up in Kansas. He and his wife Sally have three adorable little girls, Meg, Malory and Macy. Jeff and Sally are in the process of planting a church in Overland Park, Kansas and have had some tremendous blessings from the Lord.
Humility and gentleness. Those are the words that first come to mind when I think about Jeff. He has an acute ability to shift any and all focus off of himself and to engage with the person he is talking to. He is always interested in others and wants no attention for himself. He is gracious and soft-spoken, always able to speak encouragement and biblical truth into a situation. His attention to details as it pertains to people is remarkable and speaks volumes of his love for others and desire to serve them. Jeff is fun-loving and incredibly dedicated. He is driven and get’s the job done with excellence. He is an athlete, a techy and holds an Mdiv and an MBA. He is truly a jack of all trades and is extraordinarily smart. Jeff will give you the shirt off his back and will not only walk a mile with you but carry you if need be. He is selfless and giving and that alone has profoundly impacted my life. I have watched him serve us men when he didn’t have the time. I have watched him give of himself when he had nothing left to give. He is truly and sincerely one of the most caring people I know. This is perhaps most profoundly demonstrated in his love for his wife and family. Nothing comes between his time with his family. He has challenged me by his actions to be a better husband and father and to truly love people as Christ did. His influence has been great and I have a deep love and admiration for him.
How about You?
Perhaps the questions I will leave you with are: Who has influence you? Who has modeled Christ to you? Have you thanked God for these individuals and do they know How God has used them in your life?
I would encourage you to take some time this week to reflect upon those that have influence you and to consider how you might influence others. We all have influence, both positive and negative. Will you strive to be influenced by godly individuals and then reciprocate by striving to influence others for God.
Please pray for these men, asking that God would use them mightily to further His Name and His fame.
In Him,
Ian