Kairos Defining Moments

Chapter One

The Call

Here am I. Send me!

Isaiah 6:8

When Pastor Hambrick was at Parsons, WV (1971-74), he often visited in the home of a lovely lady, Mrs. Frances Kresge, whose husband had cancer and was very sick for many months. He would stop by to see about him and spend time with the two of them to help divert their attention from the terrible pain and struggle that had become their lot. Early in their relationship Mrs. Kresge asked if Pastor had ever been to the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. He told her no and asked what is different about the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. From that point on they had many conversations about her life in Pennsylvania, her family that still lived in the Dutch country, and her longing to go back home some day. She often ended those conversations with, You really need to visit the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. I think you would really like it. To which Pastor would say, someday, maybe. Little did he realize that at the time he was only about five hours away from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania–the heart of PA Dutch Country.

In 1774, he moved from Parsons, WV to Logan, WV where he spent the next years of ministry. Logan was in the heart of the southern West Virginia coal fields. Logan was not noted for its beauty, but for its wealth; it was an unbelievably prosperous town at the time. Most of the people in the church were small business owners, mine operators or owners, professional people, or workers in the stores in and around Logan. The Hambricks had an excellent ministry for twelve and one half years there with many people coming to Christ. The church grew and expanded its ministry with a day care, bought properties and built a new sanctuary. Pastor was young and energetic working far too many hours for a man with three young sons. The one thing he was faithful to do was to take his vacation time. The Hambrick family traveled all over the United States for summer vacations and spent the week after Christmas at Myrtle Beach every year. During vacation time, Pastor gave 100% of his time to the family because he knew that when he was home, he worked way too much.

During their twelve and a half years in Logan, the family would talk about where they would go on vacation. And almost every year one of the places up for consideration was the PA Dutch Country. Year after year that trip was preempted by some other location that would accommodate a trip south to visit family. Then in 1986 when Pastor was taking counseling classes at WV School of Graduate Studies and serving as the District Secretary of the WV South District, he said to Barbara, we do not have time to take a long vacation. This year we can go the PA Dutch Country. The date was set for two weeks after District Assembly.

During the time he served Logan, Evangelists Dorothy Adams and Gloria Files held two Children’s Crusades there. The Hambricks and the church loved having them! They did a great job with the kids, but the family also enjoyed spending time with the two of them. They often talked about their home in Pennsylvania and their church at Ephrata, PA. But neither Barbara nor Pastor remember making the connection that Dot and Gloria’s home church was located in the PA Dutch Country. They just knew Dot and Gloria loved the area, the people, and their church that they believed had great potential for growth.

The Hambricks had hardly made their decision about when and where they would go on vacation before Pastor received a call from Rev. Talmage Haggard, the District Superintendent of the Philadelphia District. Barbara answered the call at home and transferred it to Pastor in his office. She said, This is a District Superintendent, and I didn’t get his name, but wherever he is calling about, that is where we are going. Pastor took the call and Barbara paced back and forth watching the light on the phone to see when the call was finished–but it seemed to take forever.

Rev. Haggard told Pastor all about the church, its history and the retirement of Rev. Don Mowen after twenty-five years. As he talked about Ephrata, it did not dawn on Pastor at first that this was the church he had heard so much about from Dot and Gloria. But his description did include the fact the church was in Lancaster County as he described it, the heart of the PA Dutch Country. He commented that since Pastor had been in a twelve and a half year pastorate at Logan, that it may be easier for him to follow a man who had stayed a long time than it would for someone without that experience.

Before he hung up, Rev. Haggard told him that he was new in his job as DS, having been elected in May. There had only been one pastor to move to the district since his election and that was someone I knew Rev. Paul Thornhill. Oh yes! Pastor said. Paul and I have known each other since college days and our early pastorates in Kentucky.

Rev. Haggard continued, But Ephrata is the first church where I have had the full responsibility of placing a pastor. I called the General Superintendent in jurisdiction and went through the procedure to call a man, but after he accepted, he called the church a few days later and said he was miserable after he accepted the call and had to rescind his acceptance.

Then how did you get my name? I asked.

From the Church Board. After Ron Justice turned the church down, when I met with the board, I asked them if they had anyone they would like to consider and they gave me your name.

Where did they get my name?

I don’t know. That is something you will need to ask them.

I did ask later and heard the story of how Dot and Gloria had told several people in the church, including Melody and Willis Campbell, about me and what was happening at Logan. They had remembered the conversation and presented my name into nomination at the Board meeting. Since Rev. Haggard had already struck out with Ron Justice, whom the General Superintendents recommended as the pastor he felt secure that he was free to let the board decide who they wanted. Later he was reminded that the General Superintendents had other names they would like to have presented for the Ephrata Church.

Back to the phone conversation with Rev. Haggard, he said, We need to set a time for you to come and meet with the Board and then if you get the call, we could have a time for you to meet with the church family.

Do you mean two different trips to the church?

Yes. That seems to work best most of the time.

Rev. Haggard, that schedule will be a real challenge for me. In fact, I am very limited in when I am available to meet with the board. I am taking a class at WV College of Graduate Studies this summer and I am the District Secretary and in the middle of planning for our District Assembly.

I understand. I have been a District Secretary. Maybe we can work it out so that we can do both meetings in one trip.

The plans were made and the excitement was building as the family waited until the appointed time. Pastor and Barb tried their best to keep the interview a secret from the boys, but that became an impossibility–Ron asked too many questions and before they knew it he had it all figured out! He was sworn to secrecy because they did not want the church to find out they were interviewing somewhere else. They had already figured out something was up because several times over the past several months various people had asked Pastor if he was leaving them. He would always say, No, I am not going anywhere. I don’t even have a call. He had had a call in September 1985 to Raleigh North Church of the Nazarene. The District Superintendent had encouraged Pastor and Barb to pray about the move and be ready to accept the call. They had done exactly that and when the time came, the call did not come. The church called their associate pastor instead. Pastor felt like a man without a country. He knew his ministry was done, he had prayed through on going someplace else, and yet he had no place to go!

Pastor and Barb also warned Rocky and Ron not to tell Rob that they were dealing with a call. He was attending the Governor’s Honor Academy in Weston, WV and there would be plenty of time to talk to him about the possibility of a move after he finished his six weeks advanced training there. But the next time Rob called home, Ron asked him, what do think about us moving to Pennsylvania? Pastor and Barb were not happy, but what could they do? The decision was made to call the Academy and ask for special permission for Rob to come home for the week-end so the family could talk about the situation. Although an agreement had been signed that they would not take him out of the Academy, the permission was granted.

Pastor drove the three hours to Weston and picked Rob up late Friday evening. He and Rob talked about what was happening at the Academy and enjoyed Rob’s excitement at all he was learning. Then as they entered Interstate 77 headed toward Charleston and then home, Pastor said, Rob, I don’t know if we are moving to Pennsylvania or not but I am really sorry you heard about our call the way you did. We wanted to wait until you finished the Academy before we told you so that it wouldn’t mess up your time there. Ron just got ahead of the game plan.

Dad, it’s alright. I know Ron.

Rob, if we do move, you do not have to move with us. I have always promised you that I would not move you your senior year, but I have to deal with this call. It really feels like this may well be where we will be going. I know there are several people in the church who would be willing to keep you this next year if you want to stay in Logan and finish school here.

Dad, Rob said emphatically, I am a part of this family. And if God is calling you to Pennsylvania, he is calling me to Pennsylvania. I am going where you go.

Rob, you are so right. That is quite a mature statement, but you are so right. If God is calling us to Pennsylvania, He is calling you to Pennsylvania. The car was quiet for awhile. Rob had so astounded his Dad with his wisdom that a tear or two trickled down his cheek as he with pride delighted in the incredible blessing he had just received from his son. Kairos.

As the day of the interview approached Pastor felt a little trepidation. The only view he had ever had of Pennsylvania was in the 1970’s in and around the steel mills and coal mines of Western Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh and a weeklong stay in Center City Philadelphia for a conference. There was a part of him that was beginning to actually dread a move to Pennsylvania. He felt he had lived long enough in the dirt and grime of coal mines and knew that steel mills were as bad if not worse. Was he ever surprised at the beautiful serene landscape and manicured fields he saw as Rev. Haggard drove them to the church. It was an unforgettable experience to turn the corner off Route 272 onto Dawn Avenue. He was so surprised at what he saw—the church was breath taking. The grounds were manicured and the outside of the building was beautiful! Their pleasure was freely expressed to their future leader.

When everyone got out of the car, he said to Rev. Haggard. That is a beautiful barn (talking about the barn that sat diagonally across the street), who owns that? Talk about a question out of context! The barn that caught his eye in the first minutes on the property would be a major part of God’s plan for the Ephrata Church of the Nazarene, but that is another story for another chapter.

The interview with the Church Board went well. In reality, like most interviews they don’t remember much about it. That probably indicates that the interview was quite routine except for the presence of God that led the process. Pastor does remember entering the room where the board was assembled (shocked at the size of the board–twenty-three members) feeling confident that this was where God was leading him. He had known for nearly a year that he would be moving (since the interview at Raleigh, NC). Now he knew where.

The interview with the congregation at Ephrata was more memorable. There were the normal questions about our call, our places of service, what we liked to do, our strengths and weaknesses, etc. But we also had some really interesting questions like, Barbara, do you play the piano? Well then, do you play the organ? Finally, the interviews were over, they went home to Logan to await the vote of the congregation. It was almost unanimous, only two no votes. One of those no votes came from the piano/organist!

They arrived at Ephrata and spent his 40th birthday as the first day in PA Dutch Country. God had been preparing them for their arrival here for many years and now they were finally here for the longest vacation on record–twenty-five years! Kairos!

An interesting side note is that during his first few days at the church, Carol Lee J. Mills the office secretary and financial officer of the church, told him the rest of the story about his call. She said that when Rev. Ron Justice (a friend of Pastor Hambrick) interviewed, it somehow did not feel right. She listed some things that had bothered her a little, but concluded, None of them were serious enough to disqualify Rev. Justice. Besides that, we were trusting God and believed that the man that He sent was the right man to serve as our pastor. She continued. But when Rev. Haggard called me to tell me that Rev. Justice had accepted the church, I said, ‘Oh, no!’ then when I hung up the phone, my thought was I can’t believe that I just told the DS ‘Oh, no.’

She had said oh, no and she was right in her perception that Monday morning. Three days later, Rev. Justice called Carol. He shared with her that since he had accepted the call, he had been absolutely miserable in his spirit. I apologize, but I have to rescind my acceptance. I cannot come to Ephrata. I will pray with you that God will provide you with the man He wants at Ephrata. God’s plan always includes "Kairos" or defining moments. Men were oblivious to God’s great plan, but He knew what he wanted to happen and He knew how to make it happen. And He did!

Also, remember Rob’s comments about if you are called to Pennsylvania, I am called to Pennsylvania? Well that one year at Ephrata allowed Rob to prepare himself for a lifetime of service. God had called him to be a minister of music. At Logan, the music program was not very strong, and he did not want to be a part of it. But at Ephrata, he was involved that one year in two music classes, glee club, men’s ensemble, and choir. He also participated with the church’s District Impact Team under the direction of Dr. Dan West. As a result of his move to Ephrata, he was on his way in preparation for his ministry in music, he was given a $4,000 scholarship for his college, and he was able to take a test and skip two of his music classes at college! Kairos.

Chapter Two

A Baby Grand

Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 6:8

Pastor arrived in Ephrata on his fortieth birthday, but was not scheduled to be installed for two weeks. That time gave him opportunity to get a feel for the place without being in the official position as pastor. He and Barbara worshiped at nearby Nazarene churches so as not to confuse the plan of the district superintendent. He also spent time preparing his library which is always a major task when a pastor moves. The reality of his situation came into focus the first time Pastor Hambrick went to the office, closed the door behind him, and sat in the big office chair behind the desk. In his previous church, Pastor had a new office that had been designed just for him. He was now in an office that had been built nearly a quarter century before for Pastor Don Mowen. It was showing its age and wear. But when he sat in that big chair, he could not help but question, what on earth am I doing here? The chair did not fit. It was too low (a reminder that Pastor Mowen was taller and needed his chair lower); it was worn deeply (Pastor Mowen had spent a long time (nearly 25 years) working from this chair and his mark was on everything; and, the back was much too tall (which seemed a reminder that the task ahead just might be greater than his ability to achieve). Sitting there thinking, praying, and questioning, he concluded that filling Pastor Mowen’s place was not at all his calling. He was called of God to do the work of the church as instructed by the Spirit. Release flooded his heart and filled the room. He could take ownership of that, but how long would it take for the church (who were no doubt making continual comparisons) to realize it and accept him as their pastor?

The first board meeting after he was installed on September 7, 1986, was on the first Tuesday of October.