DENNIS GINGERICH

A YEAR AGO TODAY…A MENTOR OF MINE CHANGED HIS ADDRESS FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN…HERE’S A REPOST OF WHAT I WROTE THAT DAY 10/11/12:

Today, our world lost an authentic down-to-earth saint. Not a saint in some formal religious way, but an everyday kind of saint.  He was a dad, a grandpa, a great grandpa, a faithful husband of 60+ years, a pastor for 58 years, a friend of thousands, a spiritual mentor to hundreds and a ministry partner of mine for nearly 27 years.  I will miss him!!!

There’s way too much to say about Tony Hostetler in this short space, but here’s what came to mind as I touched his still-warm 89 year-old hands this afternoon–just a few minutes after he took his last breath. This is a man who lived a fruit full life. A scripture in the Bible came to my mind.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)

Pastor Tony consistently, every day, in every situation, exemplified these fruit in his life. I’ve watched him respond to every imaginable situation throughout multiple decades of ministry partnership. His life was full of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. And that is why Facebook is about to crash right now due to the hundreds of online comments and wall posts about how Tony impacted their lives. His faith was full of fruit — Spirit fruit.

Here’s just a few things Tony taught me about how to live so I can be remembered as a saint:

• Love God and Love People with all your heart, soul, mind and strength
• Live every day with gratitude
• Fill your mind and your mouth with God’s Word
• Have a short memory when it comes to the sins of others
• Brag on others much more than you brag on yourself
• Do what ever you do with all your might
• You are never too old to try something new
• Smile and hug often
• Believe that with God, all things are possible

I will miss Tony as a spiritual mentor, a faithful friend and a priceless ministry partner. See you later Pastor Tony!

QUESTION: What is the the most important thing you want to be remembered for?  Add your comment below.