William and Rae Eddington

“Fifty years is a long time, but the time seems to have passed in a short time, and it’s the last 30 that have been the most memorable. The challenges since the apostasy of 1995 changed my involvement, attitude and actions almost beyond comparison with earlier years.

“We all understand the responsibility of everyone called to the truth and who has become a member of the household of God to ‘grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.’ But there is one lesson I have learned that’s been one of the most important: the importance of building God-centered personal relationships with each other. Through all our trials and tribulations, it seems the breakdown of relationships has been the cause of so many issues.

“Although I pastored for quite a few years, I have never been an employee of the Church, so I speak as a ‘non-salaried elder.’ In this context, the foundation built within a congregation over many years, enables an elder to be a key influence in building strong God-centered personal relationships within that congregation, provide support to the pastor, and a bulwark against members drifting away through lack of positive relationships.”

Robin and Susan Webber

“We have been serving in Southern California and Las Vegas for the last 47 years. This is an anomaly and some people ask, ‘How did you do that?’ Well, we never asked to stay or to leave. Challenges and circumstances on the ground made it imperative for us to remain here. Two blessings have come from this: 

“1) In some cases, we know four generations of Church family members, which creates security and comfort for members.

“2) We have the rare ongoing blessing of enjoying our three daughters and their families, all also living in Southern California. 

“Future elders: remember to always put God first, family second, and then give your all to serving our fellow believers. In so doing, give yourselves permission to rest and call ‘time out’ sometimes, for we serve and exist in a rewarding but demanding calling. Remember to listen to our wives! Everyone else knows you as ‘Mr. Pastor,’ but she knows you best and loves you, and desires you to succeed not merely as a pastor but as a disciple of Christ.

“Last but not least: Never underestimate what God can do, and will do, through you as you ‘grow in grace and knowledge’ and surrender in faith to His perfect will for you and yours.”

Leif and Kathryn Anderson

“I know I can speak for others when I say it’s difficult to wrap my mind around the figure 50. It’s been an incredible honor to serve God’s people during that five-decade run.

“After graduating from Ambassador College Big Sandy, I was sent to Canada to serve. I married the love of my life—Kathryn—and we served in the full-time ministry for three years.

“Then, due to unusual circumstances we took up a position in our currently fourth-generation family business. I then served as a unsalaried elder in the Little Falls, Minnesota congregation—mostly of widows and those of the ‘mature set.’ What a blessing it was! This became our spiritual ‘base camp.’ Business can be a rough and tumble world and it’s always good to have a group of widows and seniors to bring you back to reality. Every Sabbath we had the privilege of spending concentrated time before, during and after services together. What a treat—serious discussion and laughter that still rings in my ears.

“Another highlight was assisting by conducting Passover services in Fargo, North Dakota for over a decade. Words fail to describe what a privilege it is to be in front of God’s saints on the most important evening of the year. 

“Having been a trainee, an assistant, a full-time pastor and then a non-salaried elder, I perhaps have an unusual perspective. My respect for those men and their wives who serve God’s people full time continues to grow as our world becomes more challenging. Our Heavenly Father and Elder Brother have been most gracious sustaining us through the years—through the valleys and the peaks. We look forward to the time when genuine unity will become the shining reality.”

Jim and Joan Tuck

Jim shares: “I shake my head and wonder where the last half century went; it flew by so quickly! One thing we set our minds to do from the start was not to neglect our marriage or family for the sake of the work of the ministry. We set aside Monday as family day, and we did things as a family. It kept us all together as our sons were growing up, but I wish I had done more.

“An important element which made the ministry a remarkable journey for Joan and me, has been all the love and friendship both with each other as well as with neighboring pastors and their wives. Friendships within the ministry are a critical social glue. They help hold the Church together tightly, as does the Holy Spirit within us. It is my encouragement for the ministry to prize and cultivate your friendships. After all, not only are we to be friends, but we are family.

“We have been privileged to travel to a variety of international places in the world over the last five decades, but a highlight was conducting leadership training classes for our elders, deacons and their wives in Zambia and Malawi. We loved the brethren and made lasting friendships. Africa is a special place, and it is like no other place on earth. If you ever get a chance to go, seize the opportunity!

Joan says: “I was 21 when we married. I learned early on the importance of encouraging him and being careful to be a good and ‘righteous influence’ in the various scenarios that came upon us. Our 50-year trek took us across the United States. It was not an easy path going to areas where we knew no one. I look back on all the labors, all the circuits on the Sabbath, the Bible studies, youth activities, men’s clubs, ladies’ clubs, activities. Most meaningful of all were the bonds built in the process with God’s people.

“Proverbs 14:1 says, ‘The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.’ This principle works in a congregation as well! A pastor’s wife can ‘build’ in a congregation by focusing on serving, encouraging and loving God’s people. Building also means having a carefulness in what is said and done—to promote peace. It means keeping confidences and being flexible to the variables the pastor faces working with people and situations. I’ve observed that our choices in how we help our husbands can have a positive impact on an entire congregation. In addition, a pastor’s wife can add a certain ‘soft touch’ to her husband’s ministry.

“We learned to ‘bear all things,’ and what it means to be ‘a living sacrifice.’ 1 Corinthians 15:58 encouraged me often, ‘…your labor is not in vain in the Lord.’” 

Mario and Caty Seiglie

Mario shares: “First, being in the ministry is an undeserved honor and it has been a great pleasure to serve God and His people in this way. In my 50 ministerial years, Romans 8:28 is a key scripture in this regard. In the direst moments, when the Bride of Christ was severely tested, God was there to rescue and show us how those trials were so vital in shaping our godly spiritual character. Namely, what is so precious in His sight. As Christ said, if you choose self-sacrifice and lose your lives for His glory, you will continually discover true life. But if you choose to keep your lives for yourselves, you will forfeit what you try to keep. Self-sacrifice includes putting Ecclesiastes 9:10 into action.

“One of the toughest tests for many was in 1995. My wife and I adopted the words of Joshua 24:14–15 and I repeated them to the congregations in my care, ‘…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Eternal.’

“God gets all the honor and glory for the privilege to serve in employed service for 50 years! My most memorable and fulfilling years were serving and pastoring the Chilean congregations with my wife, Caty, for 21 years, and the Orange County, California congregation for 25 years.

“The three years we served in the Spanish region under President Denny Luker, until his death, left a deep impression of outstanding godly servant leadership. Also, the 22 years I served in the Council of Elders with the help of my wife, Caty, were quite profitable. We also can’t leave out the rewarding experience of raising four wonderful daughters, loving their husbands, and being blessed with eleven grandchildren.”

Caty shares: “Over these 50 years we have lived in and served in multiple countries: the USA, Colombia, and Chile (my homeland). While living in Chile we served five other countries in the Southern Cone, so we’ve had the privilege of knowing all the congregations in the Spanish area.

“We’ve learned that regardless of culture, language or customs, the needs of those God calls are the same: they want to be part of the Body of Christ, to be fed wholesome and doctrinally sound spiritual food, and to feel that the Church cares about them as God’s children. 

“Through the hard times we have experienced as a church, many times God has shown us that when things seem humanly impossible to solve, He is always there to guide us.

“Advice for younger elder’s wives:

• “Make time for the sick, the shut-ins, the elderly, the children, the young people and those who are going through trials of all kinds.
• "Make a point of personally greeting and acknowledging the visitors and new people every Sabbath.
• "If possible, always go to a funeral or memorial service, even if your husband is not the one officiating it. It means the world to the grieving families.
• "Be approachable at church services and available by phone, texts and emails. Return the calls and messages ASAP.
• "Help your husband so he can concentrate on his ministerial duties.
• "When things feel overwhelming, especially with young children or health issues, or when experiencing your own trials, give yourself some grace and delegate. I’m always in awe of the many talented brethren in our congregations with a huge disposition to help and contribute.”

Fred Kellers

“Early in our ministry, my wife Lucretia and I were transferred to Oregon. A gracious couple—the Dickinsons—
owned a very successful jam company, but what stayed with me most was the example of servant leadership shown by Mr. Dickinson, a local elder. I watched him sweep floors, set up chairs, and even scrape gum off the church hall floor with his pocketknife. Despite his standing in the world, he was never afraid to do the humblest tasks. I’ve told my children many times what an example that was—not only for me, but for all the brethren.

“I remember many relationships built through anointing and baptizing. In 1997, there was a request for someone to help pastor in Nigeria. Likely because of the turmoil there, no one had volunteered. Lucretia and I had previously served at summer camps in South Africa, so after prayer and discussion, we stepped forward. Little did we know how many years we would spend in West Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana and Togo. Along the way, we formed lasting friendships with brethren who became more like family, and what a blessing they were to us.

“Because Lucretia is not here to receive this honor of 60 years of service, I want to speak of her faithfulness. Many times she cared for our four children while I was busy serving. She was often the listening ear for those who needed comfort. She didn’t like ‘roughing it’—yet she willingly traveled to Africa, used a bucket for a toilet, and slept on sheets stained with snail trails. What an example she was. I know she will rise to meet her true Husband, Jesus Christ.

“One of the greatest responsibilities we have as pastors is to lead others into service. Where pastors were once often first-generation believers, now most are second to fifth generation in the faith. The examples they grow up seeing leaves a lasting mark and shapes the leaders they become.

“I have made many mistakes over the years, but my Father and my elder Brother, Jesus Christ, have helped me time and again. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve Their children.”