Pastoral Care Matters - The Kenyan preacher’s words gripped me one night. “How many stars can you see? So many! And God knows the name of each one. He has a big book, too. In that book, he has the names of all who love him. Do you love the Lord Jesus? Has your name been written in that book?”

At age 4 and a half, I wanted to love the Lord Jesus. That was probably my first insight into how a pastor can communicate God's deep things to young and old. Pastoral care matters in youth and children’s ministries.

I’ve been privileged to know many notable pastors in my ministry. I consider them my mentors. I learned another aspect of pastoral responsibilities from each one. In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Dr. Thomas Schultz spent hours each week exegeting the Scriptures, whether from the Hebrew or Greek. In Vancouver, Dr. Ward Gasque excelled in hospitality; years later, I recall conversations in his home. Dr. James Houston never tired of giving himself to others. Pastoral care engages intellectually.

Cathie and I were part of a loving, vibrant, growing fellowship in Vancouver. Watching Pastor Baxter, I learned much about home and hospital visitation. I realized that something had been left out of my DNA structure. He could recall the names of people, even years after having met them. Dr. Ben Gullison’s ministry with seniors was the best I’ve ever seen. Pastoral care matters to individuals.

I learned about church planting in Brazil from Pastor Jonathan de Oliveira and Pastor Williams Balaniuc. Many aspects of evangelism, only occasionally mentioned in Canada, became daily topics. We rejoiced, for in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, the 12 churches and 11 pastors in 1977 multiplied to 115 churches and 250 ordained pastors by 2020. Pastoral Care impacts evangelism and discipleship.

I always appreciate learning from others. In July 1985, a dozen pastors gathered in Corumbá, Brazil, on the border with Bolivia. From that week of prayer for the region's impoverished, the Pantanal Project along the Paraguay River grew. This led to ministries with abandoned street children. Later, in Istanbul, Turkey, we began a decade-long ministry with refugees, people fleeing 65 nations. Pastoral care engages with the poorest, the hopeless, and the helpless.

I constantly thank God for the leaders who showed me greater depths of obedience to the Lord.