Still passionate after all these years

Submitted Photo Pastor Kevin Moyers and his wife Cindy stand outside Community Christian Church. The Moyers have served the church for 25 years.

On the second Sunday in July 1987, Kevin and Cindy Moyers made their way to Fort Scott for Kevin to begin a new job as senior minister at Community Christian Church.

Kevin, born and raised near St. Louis, had been working for several years as an associate pastor at Tyro Christian Church between Coffeyville and Caney, Kan.

Cindy, a native of that part of Montgomery County, had met and married Kevin during his time there. With their "almost 1-year-old" son in tow, they embarked upon their new ministry in the Fort Scott church. Now, 25 years and three grown children later, Kevin and Cindy continue to serve in that same church. They have watched it evolve and change and grow in many ways over those years. An average worship service attendance in 1987 of 280 has progressed to an average of 613 weekly worshipers in 2011.

I sat down with the Moyers recently and asked them to reflect on some aspects of their 25-year tenure:

1) In 25 words or less, how would you sum up your 25 years at Community Christian Church?

Kevin: "It has been a great 25 years for me and for my family. Being able to be here the whole time that my kids were growing up provided great stability for them, and I think it has provided great stability for the church, too. This church was started in 1973 and it has had only two senior ministers. That has been a good thing for the church."

Cindy: "I love this church. It's been a great growing time for our whole family. We have all grown and matured here. We have had so much love and support shown to us during these 25 years. This is home; we raised our family here. I can't imagine living anywhere else."

2) What would you identify as a "highlight" of your time in ministry here? Or maybe a "lowlight"?

Kevin: "A highlight would have to be the many souls that have been brought to Jesus. I love being able to talk to people about Jesus and bring them to a personal relationship with Him. I'm thankful God has used me in this way -- in spite of my weaknesses.

"And also, seeing my own kids come to Christ and develop their own faith -- their own Christian walk -- has been exciting.

"Of course there are occasional tough times in most ministries for various reasons. It is always disappointing when people turn away from their faith after the church has invested many years in attempting to grow them spiritually. I will say for sure -- during the times that have been more difficult -- my wife has been such a wonderful encourager to me and my very best support. She has been by 'right arm' in ministry."

Cindy: "A highlight has to be the support we have enjoyed from many good friends; longtime supporters as well as those who have been in our church only a short time. It has been very exciting, too, watching our own kids give their lives to Christ here and then, as adults, be involved in ministry in their churches.

"There have been rough times, but God has always seen us through those times and, thankfully, those times have been few."

3) How have you changed/matured/adjusted during these 25 years?

Kevin: "I have learned from my mistakes. I've become more tactful (I think) and more understanding of how to respond to people in different situations. When I was younger I had a lot of rough edges, so I'm thankful to our church leadership who gave me time to learn and grow. They really did 'stick their neck out' hiring me at 27 years old with my never having been in a senior minister role before, but I feel that God was in that decision working His will for all of us."

Cindy: "Kevin moving to the senior minister position was a big change for both of us. We had to mature quickly in responding to all the expectations and responsibilities involved. As a senior minister's wife, I make a conscious effort to show love to all people unconditionally, no matter what else is going on. Also, each and every Bible study I have been part of through these 25 years has been a growing experience for me."

4) Twenty-five years is a long time to be at one church. What advice would you offer a young minister striving to attain a similarly long tenure?

Kevin: "Stay personally connected to God. Burnout is very common in ministry -- the work is never finished, and working with people daily can sometimes be very challenging. However, if you stay connected to God, He will replenish your spirit and strength and get you through. When it is all said and done, it can be a wonderful thing to be in the same church for so long. You develop relationships with people that are deep and meaningful and honorable to God.

"So, to that young minister I would also advise: be patient; go into a new position with good ideas, but make changes in time. Make changes together with your congregation and church leadership. Face hardships -- trust God through these. Admit mistakes, own up to those and learn from them. Make time for your family --that's important -- and marry the right person."

Cindy: "Honestly, I did not intend to marry a minister, but God changed my mind. God does have a sense of humor you know!" (Note: Kevin apparently just swept her off her feet.)

"I would say to a young man going into the ministry, your wife can make or break your ministry, so be sure she is committed to the ministry just like you are. To those young ladies who are marrying into the ministry: You will need patience, a great deal of love and be willing to share your husband with the congregation ... He kind of ends up belonging to everyone."

5) What is your vision for the future of your congregation here in Fort Scott?

Kevin: "My vision is what I understand to be God's vision -- that this church would grow both spiritually and numerically. God longs for the world to come to know His son, Jesus. So for as long as I am here, we will emphasize evangelism and we will encourage our church to love God first above everything, to love people and to live God's plan as it is written for us in the scripture.

"Every number is a soul that can be turned to Christ and encouraged to grow spiritually through His word. We need to strive to be a beacon for Christ in our community and in the world."

Cindy: "It's exciting to see people deepening their faith and growing spiritually. I want to help people stay connected to Jesus and His church. To help people have a lifelong/life changing experience and to watch them grow through the years. I'd like to try new directions in ministry and expand outreach to those needing God's touch and those struggling to change their lifestyles."

So, 25 years have passed since the Moyers drove into Fort Scott on that warm July Sunday in 1987. Only God knows what the future holds for them. Still, I am confident Kevin and Cindy will be a blessing to those they continue to encounter along the way. The God of our fathers -- the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end of the universe -- will remain in control of their destiny and ours as well.

The inspiration to serve God for them -- and for all of us -- can be summed up in a quote from the gospel of Matthew 28:18-20: "And Jesus came up and spoke to them saying, 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'"

In recognition of Kevin and Cindy's 25 years of service to the Community Christian Church in Fort Scott, a reception will be held in their honor beginning at 7 p.m., Sunday, July 8, in the gym at the Community Christian Church following the 6 p.m. Sunday evening service.

Everyone is invited to join the event recognizing this milestone. A short program will begin around 7:30 p.m.