By DAVID EPPS
Pastor

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1.

I first met Mark Johnson some 17 years ago when he was working at a local physical fitness center and I was the new Assemblies of God pastor in the community. He reminded me of Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter. He was quiet, pleasant, had short wavy hair and wore glasses just like the reporter for the Daily Planet. But when Mark dressed out to lift weights, he reminded me of Clark's other self, Kal-El from Krypton, known to earth dwellers as Superman. The man was in excellent shape and strong as a horse. I liked him instantly.

Before long, Mark was in attendance at our church and growing tremendously. He began to date a beautiful girl named Natalie Eckhart, who also attended the church. Natalie's father, Ken, a leader in the church, once said, prior to their wedding, "If anything ever happens to me, I know that Natalie will be cared for. Mark is one of the hardest working people I have ever met."

Sadly, Ken spoke prophetically. He would die unexpectedly not long after making that observation, but he made a true statement. Mark would go to any lengths, including working extra jobs, to provide for his wife and growing family, which would eventually include three children.

Early on, Mark demonstrated a call to the ministry. He also became a student of the scriptures and was in church whenever the doors were open. Mark and his family moved to Cleveland, Tenn., where he enrolled in Lee University to study for the ministry.

Each and every weekend, he would drive the five-hour round trip back to the south metro area to find his place in Sunday school and church. At the same time, Mark also enrolled in the church's ministerial training course and eventually was licensed, then ordained, into the ministry of the Assemblies of God. He was one of those men who was dependable, loyal, faithful and totally trustworthy. He was also an excellent addition to the pastoral staff of our church.

Five years ago, I resigned as the pastor of the Assemblies of God church to become a priest in the Charismatic Episcopal Church. Mark came with me and, together, we have worked with a host of wonderful people to build a strong congregation known as Christ the King.

About two years ago, the bishop appointed Mark, now Father Mark, to serve as the vicar of The Church of the Good Shepherd, a church in Milledgeville, Ga. Each week, Mark would drive the 220-mile round trip to preach and serve communion to the Milledgeville congregation, all the while continuing his duties at Christ the King.

During this time, Father Mark also served as a police chaplain for the Peachtree City Police Department and worked full-time as an insurance adjuster for a major corporation. Unbelievably, Mark also worked those ever-present second jobs to provide for his family. And, six years ago, he enrolled in St. Michael's Seminary and, this year, will receive a Master of Ministry degree.

Yet, as busy as he was, if I called Mark at 3 a.m. to pay an emergency visit to the hospital, he never refused, never begged off. For all of the 17 years that we have been together, he has been a good shepherd and a faithful man.

This Sunday, our congregation will honor the man and his family as they prepare to leave us. Because of his diligence, his character, his faithfulness, and his love of the ministry, Father Mark attracted the attention of his bishop and archbishop. They were looking for a man like Mark.

On Monday, the Johnson family will leave their home in Sharpsburg and move to Wilmington, N. C., to become part of the ministry and leadership of The Church of St. Peter the Fisherman. The position will be full of challenges, but Mark is used to that. He will have a great many things that he will be called on to do, but his work history demonstrates that he is up to the task.

One of the members of our church, upon hearing that Father Mark and his family would be moving to Wilmington said, "That is so great! But it really stinks, too."

I think he summed up the bittersweet emotion that all of us at Christ the King are experiencing this week. We are so proud of Mark and so excited for him and for his family. But, at the same time, we feel a bit like the parent who is watching his or her son go off to war.

We know that he must go, but we wish he were staying. We are excited, but we are sad. We are proud of Mark, Natalie, Hannah, Emily, and John Mark but the ache in our hearts is still there. We will miss them terribly because we love them so much.

Nevertheless, we pray for this family: "May the Lord bless you, indeed. May he enlarge your borders. May his hand always be with you. May the Lord keep you from all evil, that you may cause no pain."

It is time for a change. I wish it were not so, but it is. Go with God, Johnson family! You will always be a part of us.

[David Epps is rector of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church in Peachtree City. He may be contacted at FatherDavidEpps@aol.com or at www.ChristTheKingCEC.com.]

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