«Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?» (Proverbs 20:6).
FRIENDSHIP
It happened on September 6, 2014, in Puerto de Sagunto (Spain). The pastor stood up before his congregation and, taking his wife’s hand, with tears in his eyes, thanked God for having served 43 years as a pastor. But he didn’t get there alone. His children and grandchildren were there, along with a good number of church members who had come from Barcelona to be with their pastor the day he retired. Those who worked with him, his friends and administrators acknowledged he was a servant of God whose life had been an example for the faithful.
Pastor Eliasib Sanchez Jiménez was born on February 26, 1949, in Hueyapan (Puebla, México). Being a third generation Adventist, he was baptized at the age of twelve. His father’s faithful example motivated him to attend the Seminary to become a minister. He graduated on June 1971 and was assigned to the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez (Chiapas) to tend to forty-two congregations. Three years later he was moved to Tijuana (Baja California), and a year later, he was ordained as a minister. In 1990 he received an invitation to work in Spain as a pastor, ministering to the Zaragoza and Barcelona churches, as well as in the Personal Ministries Department at the Spanish Adventist Union.
I began admiring him when I was a child in Northwest Mexico, where he served as our Conference President. His enthusiasm for sharing the Word of God spread to the church. From the pulpit he spoke with conviction, simplicity and authority. I was excited to see him in Spain after so many years. After retiring, he is still full of energy and leadership. Then I confessed to my wife, «I really needed to admire a pastor. That feeling has been reborn in me today. It’s a pity that us pastors don’t admire each other and acknowledge others’ success. That has really hurt me.»
That afternoon in Puerto de Sagunto I thanked Pastor Sànchez and his wife for their exemplary ministry. I also thanked God for having faithful ministers who still devote their lives to the gospel.
Good role models are so valuable! God has men and women all over the world who inspire other’s lives. They’re a steady channel that allows God’s love to flow to His children.
Ask the Lord today to help you be a good influence to those around you.