A Grace Brethren pastor is mentioned (and quoted) by his father, who writes a column in the Cape May County Herald, Cape May, N.J. Rudy Sheptock Jr., who is senior pastor at the Lighthouse Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Cape May Court House, N.J., used his regular column today to wish a happy birthday to his son, Rudy III, who senior pastor of the Pike Grace Brethren Church in Johnstown, Pa. Rudy Jr. also shares some of his son’s writing. A portion of the column appears below. Click here to read the complete article.
A Word From Rudy III
Happy Birthday to my son Rudy. He is 29 years old today and it seemed like just yesterday that Terri and I welcomed our firstborn child. We were living in Morristown back in those days and I was serving as a Campus Life Director with Youth for Christ working exclusively with high school students.
We loved investing our hearts into the lives of teenagers, but we were so yearning for kids of our own. After two painful miscarriages in 1983 and 1984, we were both so joyful and very grateful to God at the safe delivery of our pride and joy–baby boy–Rudolph Peter Sheptock III. The year was 1986 which turned out to be a banner year, not only because Rudy was born, but the Mets won the World Series. Times were good.
Today Rudy is already the senior pastor of Pike Grace Brethren Church in Johnstown, Pa. I was a youth pastor for the first 15 years of my ministry and didn’t become the lead minister until I got here at The Lighthouse Church back in 1997.
When Rudy’s church lost their shepherd, the congregation turned to my son who really does show wisdom beyond his years. Needless to say I am very proud of him. He is married to a wonderful gal named Lindsey and they have two wonderful and lively sons named Jude and Gideon. There is a third baby on the way and we are already praying for a healthy arrival come next February.
I share all this with you because I thought today you might like to hear from the younger Pastor Rudy. He has become a very gifted preacher and writer. Here is a little sample of his work as my gift to all of you on Rudy’s Birthday. Enjoy:
“I have met many people who openly proclaim they don’t need church. They have an attitude that says, “Me and God have got our own thing going on.” Church is not a priority nor is fellowship with other believers. When it comes down to it, God has declared that we need one another. …
Click here to read the rest of the column.