His Life Has Touched So Many

Posted on December 5, 2022 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters

“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” John 17:4

I just finished reading through the Gospel of John, and it was refreshing to read the account of what Jesus shared with His disciples in the Upper Room Discourse.

John 17:4 was the acknowledgment that Jesus was obedient to complete the mission that was given to Him by His Father. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church at Philippi, wrote this about Jesus:

“And being found in appearance of man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8

Dr. Luke, in the book of Acts, recorded these words from the Apostle Paul to the elders of Ephesus:

“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my ^[b]race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

What a great tribute from the man who was a persecutor of the church to desire to finish his race with joy!!!

 

Yesterday I was blessed to share the Word at the memorial service for Chaplain Jack Noel, a Chaplain at the Colony of Mercy. Jack faithfully served the Lord at America’s Keswick, and for fifteen of those years.

I met Jack when I was Vice President at Sandy Cove Ministries. The first time I met him, I remember saying to myself – “this is what I want to be when I grow up!!!”

Jack loved the Lord and his family, and did he ever love serving the Lord. No matter what task he was given, whether it be in church ministry or at America’s Keswick, he went at it 150%!!!

He faced major health challenges throughout his life, but he lived as Paul said: “BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME!”

His precious wife, Dottie, faced years of physical challenges, and Jack faithfully cared for and provided for her every need. He could have grumbled and complained, and he sometimes did – but what he communicated with his life was, BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME!

 

After retiring to Calvary Homes and the loss of his wife, he continued to serve the Lord despite the physical challenges he faced. He faithfully led our Keswick Prayer Team at Calvary Homes and led those prayer times in such a way that you would have thought he was still serving full-time at America’s Keswick. THIS WAS HIS MINISTRY.

He loved to lead the worship at the Colony of Mercy, and hundreds of men would testify that the most memorable TNTs were when Jack led them. He would sit on the stool and lead the hymns, often telling the stories of those hymns and how the gospel had impacted his life. THIS WAS HIS MINISTRY.

If you spent any time with Jack, you would hear tons of stuff about his kids and grandkids. He loved his family. He loved that his sons and daughters-in-law loved the Lord and were serving the Lord. His greatest joy in his latter years was being able see first-hand his kids and grands serving the Lord on the staff at Calvary Church in Lancaster. JACK’S FAMILY WAS HIS MINISTRY.

Two months ago, Jack called me and said, “I have to talk to you. I don’t know how much time I have left and if I will get to talk to you again. I want you to know how grateful I am for all that you have done for me and for the opportunities to serve the Lord.” What a gift.

On Saturday, November 26, in the early morning, Chaplain Jack slipped safely into the presence of His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that Jack heard these words: “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

And I can only imagine that big ole smile as Jack looked at the face of His Savior. Thanks, Jack, for finishing well. We love and miss you!!!

In His grip,

Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick

You can write to Bill at bwelte@americaskeswick.org

 

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.” Psalm 133:2