"Heaven's Sounding Sweeter All the Time"
Monday, June 11, one of our finest young people, Lee Waller, was called home to be with the Lord. On the front of our web page you will find an article called "Church Pioneers." Lee, along with two others, had been chosen to represent Crown College to go to San Francisco and work in a church ministry for the summer. Their job was to just go and serve in whatever capacity the pastor would need. Lee was so excited for the opportunity that had been afforded him and his friends.
On the way to San Francisco, Lee, Scott Davis, and Zach Gillit rolled the SUV that they were driving (details are vague right now). Scott and Zach were shaken but are now doing well. Lee was pinned in the car and died before he could be freed from the wreckage. Lee's dad, Butch Waller, was able to talk with Lee as one of his buddies held the phone up to Lee's ear while his dad spoke to him.
Bro. Waller called me and we prayed together over the phone; then Dr. Clarence Sexton called and told me that Lee's death had been confirmed. My wife and I headed to the Wallers to tell them of Lee's passing as they were about to leave for Nevada where the accident took place. My heart was broken as they fell into one another's arms, shocked with the news.
I was so proud of our church as the calls and visits poured in for the Wallers. Several of us gathered together around the family and prayed for God's grace in this whole situation. It was a blessing to see God's people rally around this broken family.
On a personal note, I was so proud of Lee and how he had grown in the Lord in the last couple of years. Not long ago Lee preached for me at Peoples and did a superb job. It was amazing to see how the Lord has blessed him with ability, enthusiasm, and content. It was obvious that Lee had such a heart for God.
Also, I want to tell Butch, Marla, and Bryce that God will see you through. I know that you have heard all of the religious cliches, but I am confident that God makes no mistakes. Bryce, Lee loved you and he prayed for you often. You have some great memories of a brother that died serving the Lord and doing the very thing that he wanted to do. I want to tell Butch and Marla that you are going to experience the grace of God like never before. You have every right to be proud and honored for the investment that you have made in the lives of your boys.
As for the church, we need to continue helping the Waller family with an outpouring of love and support. You have been a blessing to the Wallers and to Trish and me personally. Let's pray together that the Lord Jesus Christ will be honored and glorified through this crisis. We hurt when each other hurts, and we draw together as a church to help bear one another's burdens. I love you and I continue to be in much prayer for you all. Thank you for being a blessing.
On the way to San Francisco, Lee, Scott Davis, and Zach Gillit rolled the SUV that they were driving (details are vague right now). Scott and Zach were shaken but are now doing well. Lee was pinned in the car and died before he could be freed from the wreckage. Lee's dad, Butch Waller, was able to talk with Lee as one of his buddies held the phone up to Lee's ear while his dad spoke to him.
Bro. Waller called me and we prayed together over the phone; then Dr. Clarence Sexton called and told me that Lee's death had been confirmed. My wife and I headed to the Wallers to tell them of Lee's passing as they were about to leave for Nevada where the accident took place. My heart was broken as they fell into one another's arms, shocked with the news.
I was so proud of our church as the calls and visits poured in for the Wallers. Several of us gathered together around the family and prayed for God's grace in this whole situation. It was a blessing to see God's people rally around this broken family.
On a personal note, I was so proud of Lee and how he had grown in the Lord in the last couple of years. Not long ago Lee preached for me at Peoples and did a superb job. It was amazing to see how the Lord has blessed him with ability, enthusiasm, and content. It was obvious that Lee had such a heart for God.
Also, I want to tell Butch, Marla, and Bryce that God will see you through. I know that you have heard all of the religious cliches, but I am confident that God makes no mistakes. Bryce, Lee loved you and he prayed for you often. You have some great memories of a brother that died serving the Lord and doing the very thing that he wanted to do. I want to tell Butch and Marla that you are going to experience the grace of God like never before. You have every right to be proud and honored for the investment that you have made in the lives of your boys.
As for the church, we need to continue helping the Waller family with an outpouring of love and support. You have been a blessing to the Wallers and to Trish and me personally. Let's pray together that the Lord Jesus Christ will be honored and glorified through this crisis. We hurt when each other hurts, and we draw together as a church to help bear one another's burdens. I love you and I continue to be in much prayer for you all. Thank you for being a blessing.