The Kiwanis Club of Durant had its annual Minister Appreciation Day on Nov. 19 to thank pastors and church staff for their service to God and the community.
Kiwanian Greg Clay welcomed all the ministers, and he said it was an honor for them to be in attendance.
“Each year for the last half century on the Wednesday of the week before Thanksgiving, we gather those that God has called into full-time ministry to both honor you and applaud you for your spiritual leadership,” Clay said.
According to Clay, the designation of this particular Wednesday was not random.
“It gives us an opportunity to use this Thanksgiving season to thank God for His provision of you to the flock that you minister to,” Clay said.
Instead of having a keynote speaker, the club decided to give its members an opportunity to introduce pastors and church staff from the congregations they attend. There were 25 in attendance.
At the conclusion of the luncheon, Clay said he wanted the ministers to know that even beyond the body of the churches that each of them serves, their reach goes out into the community.
“There can be no doubt that this part of the world is better for you allowing God to use you,” Clay said. “After all, Acts 17 tells us that God has appointed us to our specific times and places. I’m not aware of any nationally known ministers in our audience, but let me assure you that God is using each one of you in this specific place at this specific time and who knows that someone you infl uence may be used by God to spread the truth of Jesus in ways none of us could have imagined … in God’s time frame, not ours.”
Clay said he senses an awakening in the country. He said Bible sales are 100 percent up since 2019 and more Millennials and members of Generation Z are coming back to church.
“Thereisahungerforsomething more than the dominant secular culture that the last few decades have brought us,” Clay said. “So, let me speak this word of encouragement over each of you ministers. You may or may not see tangible results this side of heaven but keep the faith.”
Kiwanian Bart Rustin was an organizer of the Minister Appreciation Day.
“Kiwanis members are honored to have our pastors as our guests to thank them for their contribution to our community’s well-being,” Rustin said.
