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Upcoming Sermons & Devotional Message
June Sermons 2026
6-14- Words on a Tombstone
Nehemiah 6:1-3 Philippians 1:6
6-21- Father’s Day Sunday
“The Bond”
2 Samuel 18:1-5 Luke 15:11-24
6-28- Youth Sunday
Devotional Message : These will change 1-2 times a week. Stop by often to read the new message.
A Tribute to My Dad
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)
This isn’t a typical daily devotional. It can’t be. Today is my dad’s birthday. Harold Edward Greenway would've been 91 years old today. Today marks 17 years he has been absent from the body and fully present with the Lord—and I miss him. He was a great husband to my mom—the perfect father for me and my siblings—a gracious acceptor of his daughters-in-law and son-in-law—and beloved Papap to his ten grandchildren. He never knew his sixteen great-grandchildren, but he would have adored them! Our lives are richer because of his love and presence in. We are his legacy.
People often ask me how I learned much of what I know about ministry—and I learned most of what I know about life and ministry from watching my dad. Not only was he my dad, he was my pastor, colleague, and friend. I write today to honor him—his love, his life, and his legacy.
If you know me well enough, you know my love for my dad is deep; but it might surprise you to know we didn’t always get along that well. My teenage years weren’t always easy. I wasn't rebellious in the classic sense—but I was strong-willed. As a result, we frequently struggled against each other's will. If he thought one way, I would choose another. If he wanted one thing, I would desire another. If he was for it, I was likely against it. I always LOVED my dad—but I didn’t always LIKE him. In hindsight, our similarities caused our discontent. We could see things in each other we didn’t like about ourselves, and it was easier to express that about each other than to deal with ourselves. Over time, we came to understand the source of our angst with each other; and it became a source of great strength for our love for each other. Today, one of the greatest compliments people can give me is when they say they can see my dad in me. When Dad passed, there was nothing left unsaid or undone between us—except a desire for more time. I loved him then—I love him still.
Dad was my first pastor. He and Mom were the principal disciples of my early life. Dad’s influence on my life in preaching, teaching, calling, and mentoring is clear. I have his fingerprints all over me. Dad could see God’s call upon my life long before I wanted to admit it. He named it, but never forced the issue. When others would tell me they saw gifts and graces in my life, I would bristle; but Dad kept giving me opportunities to be exposed to ministry. He encouraged me to attend an adult Bible study in 10th grade when my faith needed to be stretched. He invited me to lead our church’s student ministries when I was still a student. When I was 19, our church hired me to serve on its staff; and He gave me the opportunity to lead worship and serve in various areas in the life of the church. When I finally responded to God’s call to ministry, he was not surprised and incredibly supportive.
My dad was also my colleague. His birthday always fell during our Annual Conference, and we would celebrate at his favorite restaurant—The Iron Bridge. When I was ordained as an elder on his 52nd birthday in 1987, he was one of the elders who gathered around me to lay his hands on my head and the first one to hug me when I stood at the altar as an elder of the church. For the first 20 years of my ministry life, we sat together in clergy sessions and annual conferences. I cherished those times. I also remember his self-awareness in realizing I needed to have other mentors who had experiences he didn’t have. While that circle expanded, none has ever come close to taking his place for giving the most valued advice. I’d love to pick up the phone and call him to hear his advice, but what I miss most is the consistent expression of his love and affection. I would give just about anything for one of his bear hugs right now!
So today, I take a break from words of encouragement on how to live life as people of faith in these times to remember a life well-lived. Harold Edward Greenway was my dad—my pastor—my colleague—and my friend. It’s my prayer that someday my family and those I have served will feel the same way about me that I do about him. My life is better because I am his son.
I'm honored to be the son of Harold and Betty Jo Greenway.
