It has been over 40 years since Richard and I entered full-time vocational ministry. I remember going to the altar and telling the Lord we would go anywhere and do anything He asked. Throughout the years we have had occasion to fulfill that promise and have been blessed to intersect in the lives of many people. We have impacted a few. We have been touched by multitudes.
In Re-Ignite we often talk about living a legacy. We ask what we want to be remembered for, how we are investing in the future generations and what ethical and moral truths we want to hand down. Typically our mind goes to our children and our grandchildren and how we can lead them in the ways of the Lord.
This past weekend we experienced in a different way what it means to live our legacy. It was our privilege to welcome four individuals to a Re-Ignite Exclusive on Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest. These two couples, now in their late 50’s and early 60’s were among the first young people with whom we ministered when we served in our first youth pastorate in 1975! Now, four decades later, we sat around a dining table and a campfire and contemplated God’s work in all of our lives. More specifically, through the Re-Ignite process, we focused on how God was leading each of them in the “next” season.
The impact of introspection and intercession was profound. We testified to God’s faithfulness in our lives, our 
families, and in our work. We cried tears of despair and pain over the trials each had experienced. We reminisced and laughed at stories we shared. We marveled at the bonds of Christian fellowship.
As I pray for these dear ones with whom we again had privilege to invest in their lives, I am humbled and deeply grateful. Reuniting with our young adult singles – now mature adult marrieds – was a profound opportunity to experience the legacy.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20 NIV
written by Leona Bergstrom, Director, Re-Ignite
Copyright ChurchHealth 2015
