I carefully descended the long staircase, the heels of my boots clicking on the smooth stone. After a century of use, the wear and tear on each stair step was evident. I gripped the polished wooden banister to steady myself.
How many people had descended this same staircase at First Baptist Church over many decades of ministry? I pictured Henrietta Mears, in her spectacles and Sunday hat, slowly making her way down these steps after leading her small group Bible Study. After a long hard day, did she ever question her abilities? Her calling? Was she ever as tired as I feel right now? Henrietta became a member of First Baptist Church (FBC) in Minneapolis, MN at seven, and taught her first bible class at 11. Growing up, she thought she was bound for life as an overseas missionary in China, but God had other plans. A clearly gifted teacher, she taught her Fidelis Class at FBC which grew to 3,000 attendees in a span of ten years. (Did I mention this was the 1920s!?) After her years of ministry in Minneapolis, she moved to Hollywood to serve as the Director of Christian Education at a large Presbyterian church. I'm sure Henrietta had moments of frustration and exhaustion dealing with the demands of ministry. She was single, short, and stocky, with thick glasses and a husky voice, and I imagine she didn't meet the expectations of some within early 20th century evangelicalism. I am guessing she probably didn't care. She impacted thousands of lives with the Gospel while being true to who she was and what God had called her to do, while breaking cultural stereotypes as the likely sole woman serving in church leadership among men. I can relate to Henrietta a little bit (in both appearance and experience). I have walked up and down those tall staircases many times in the last 12 years, living out my calling with Cru in our rented office space on the third floor of First Baptist Church. Some days I marched, while other days, I trudged. I have loved it, challenges and all. From time to time, I would think of Henrietta as I left at the end of the day, and be encouraged to keep pressing on. This week the Minneapolis office of Cru will move from its current home at FBC and transition to a new building space this summer. I know it's just a building, but it's where I started in ministry, and the place Henrietta got her start, too. She influenced countless women and men, some who went on to start their own ministries, including Bill Bright who founded Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru). At times, I have felt as worn as those stairs I descended every day. But as thousands of feet have shuffled up and down them, I realize it’s ok their edges are less sharp. My edges are less sharp, too. That's what happens after years of ministry. The stairs are still steady and supportive, even after all these years, because they were built on a firm foundation.
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Amy WellnerEncouraging others to intentionally live out their God-given identity. Archives
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