
For a couple who have been in ministry for most of their lives, Gord and Heather Martin are figuring out how to integrate retirement and ministry.
In some ways, things stay the same.
They still have purpose and meaning.
There are still people to neighbour and to love.
Their gifts of encouragement and mercy and evangelism remain.
Hospitality and relationships and church planting continue to be a big part of their lives.
And yet not working full time at a paying job and having less energy is a new reality.
A special challenge for those in ministry who are approaching retirement is to somehow keep the extensive circle of relationships that have been built over the years and yet be intentional about nurturing a close circle of friends.
Having an eclectic group of friends is key to being relevant and keeping our worlds big.
Heather’s gifts of mercy and noticing people are invaluable to any worshipping community.
She regularly pays attention to people spiritually and can often sense how people feel from a distance.
That is a spiritual gift that has been practiced and sharpened over the years.
Her phone calls and messages are a form of warm and encouraging connection that doesn’t cost money, can be done from home, and doesn’t take a lot of energy.
Gord’s encouragement to Chinese, Farsi, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Nigerian and Chin church leaders has been vital for VMC’s church planting efforts and he continues to support them on a voluntary basis.
Gord and Heather believe (and are evidence of) that our 50’s, 60’s 70’s can easily be our most influential decades due to our experience, wisdom, and spiritual maturity.
In God’s generosity, being able to participate in the mission of God continues through all the decades.
What a grace – to God be the glory.
From our March 2023 enewsletter