Oralle is such a great Sunday school teacher; I was surprised to learn that she was nervous and scared when she first joined the program 4 years ago. That surprised me, since Oralle has taught special education and then pre-school since 1972. Oralle emphasized that the call to Children’s Ministry came: “When the Holy Spirit placed it on my heart first.” So when the Director of Children’s Ministry asked her to be an aide, she agreed. That immediately turned into team-teaching.
Frank, who is a teacher/trainer in his own right, started in the Sunday school program “just to help Oralle.” According to Frank, working with children was “definitely a move outside my comfort zone.” Today, however, he’s very comfortable working with the kids. Time and exposure have led to an easy familiarity with the kids in their class. When asked what he likes best about the team teaching, Frank immediately broke into a big grin and said: “I love the opportunity to learn from Oralle… and I enjoy how well we compliment each other in the classroom.”
Later, I posed the same question to Oralle. She, too, smiled as she immediately replied: “I love to see Frank around the kids; how he interacts with them, bonds with them, and how he mentors and encourages them.” Oralle also added that she and Frank really enjoy… “The connection they make with the kids and the look on their faces when they ‘get it’.” After reflecting a bit, she went on to say: “The kids help me. I pray that I’m helping them. I want them to be excited about coming to Sunday school every week. Along with the lessons, they are learning to put forth the effort, and to be respectful… all in a fun environment.”
Today, Oralle and Frank team teach every week for Messiah’s Sunday school program. Although they have no kids of their own, or perhaps because of it, they pour their intensity into the kids in their Sunday school classes. Both of them agree: “It’s important for the kids to see your passion for God!”
Somewhere in the middle of interviewing Frank and Oralle, I realized something that I hadn’t ever taken in before. Here was a couple extremely comfortable in their passion and joy for one another! They really do compliment each other. Oralle nestles into Frank as they sit together, not out of any need, but because they fit together so perfectly. Their passion and joy are so infectious; I wondered aloud just how long had they been married? They were excited that this August would mark 25 years of marriage for them. And with that, they asked me if they could share another of their great passions and involvements at Messiah.
It turns out that they have been involved with the Marriage Retreats at Messiah since 2003, and they’ve been on the planning committee for the marriage retreats since 2005. They both share a real passion for planning the retreats, and find it a great honor and privilege to work on, and be part of, the marriage retreats with Pastor Ron.
It was impossible to stem the tide of passion and enthusiasm that this new topic had released in this special couple! They wanted me to know that the marriage retreats are for all couples… whether you’ve been married 4 months, or 40 years. Their overwhelming passion for this topic swept me away to a marriage retreat that was not just a ‘marriage retreat’, but was about meeting new people, knowing your spouse better, learning new things, having fun, and sharing in meaningful sessions and breakouts. They painted a picture of a secluded retreat environment that was comfortable, and that gave couples the time and the opportunity to share, to open up to each other, and to ultimately grow closer. The retreat format is fun, not forced, and on the final day most of the couples renew their vows. Wow! Are you ready to sign up, yet?!?
If you want more out of fellowship at Messiah, get involved, seek your calling, and like Frank and Oralle… take a step on faith by daring to be passionate!
Your brother in Christ,
Dave
P.S.: This entry will appear in a newsletter called RISE; look for it on Easter.
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