Friends: I’m thanking the Lord for the Christian encouragers in my life, and for a good story. See the column below ... Blessings, Bob

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Spirituality Column #957

March 18, 2025

Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary

The Tie That Binds

By Bob Walters

“I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.” Paul, writing about Timothy’s ministry, Philippians 2:20.

Who are – or who was or is – your closest Christian mentor(s) and friend(s)?

No, I’m serious.  Stop reading and think about and pray with great thanks for the one or for those who have formed, influenced, encouraged, and sustained your Christian faith and life. List them, thank God for them, and pray for those you lead, too.

I’m doing that right now … thinking and praying about the human ties that bind me with other Christians, and with the Lord whose Spirit binds our faith and fellowship.

“Thank you, God, for the those who have led me and shared in the faith.”

Now, the story, seen in a recent video from John Samples about Russ Blowers.

The video link is below, and I obtained John’s approval before posting this.  For many of you, John and Russ are familiar figures.  They are both on my short list of the most influential encouragers of my life in Christ. Others at the top are Dave Faust, George Bebawi, my wife Pam, and my son Eric who first asked, at 13, to go to church.

Russ died in November 2007 after 56 years of ministry in Indianapolis.  I have written often about Russ, and like many at our East 91^st Street Christian Church, I still miss him every day. It was during Russ’s 50^th Anniversary sermon at E91, September 2, 2001 – my first Sunday in any church in decades – that I got it. It was my “Awake Date,” and I grew to know Russ – and Jesus – well. Russ baptized my sons, John and Eric.

John Samples, still a mainstay though retired pastoral presence at E91 “showing a genuine concern for our welfare,” officiated Russ’s funeral, November 15, 2007.

Russ’s funeral is where I met my wife Pam.  We both had arrived early at the service; she was to play tympani (drums) in the brass ensemble, and I was a pall bearer.  Pam and I spoke briefly about a tribute website I had set up for Russ, asking her to share the site info with the E91 orchestra and choir, which Russ very much loved.

A year and a half later, John officiated our wedding at E91, June 22, 2009.

John had arrived on staff at E91 in 1999 at the insistence of his colleague Dave Faust, who had just come aboard as Senior Minister. Dave, by the way, baptized me in November 2001. In September 2004, with Russ’s imprimatur, we convinced E91 to host a Wednesday evening Bible study with retired Cambridge divinity lecturer Dr. George Bebawi. I was secretary/coordinator of that weekly class during its entire 14 year run.

In May of 2007, Russ was awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Christian Theological Seminary, near Butler University in Indianapolis. I remember attending the event with Russ, and recall the aforementioned tale John recently told about Russ and a necktie at an E91 “Storytellers” event February 28. Here is the LINK.

John titled his four-minute presentation, “The Tie That Binds,” after several Bible references to the way the faithful are bound together and supportive of each other in Christ. I was blessed to witness and, in many ways, share first-hand in the pastoral love clearly evident between Russ and John. We are all richer in faith for models like them.

The love of Jesus is the tie that binds us, today and forever, in the truth of God.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) has written often about everyone here mentioned, easily searched on the blog (white box in upper left corner). We thank E91 master-storyteller Gerri Baker for arranging the event.

P.S. – In case you were looking for a St. Patrick’s Day article, here is an oldie but a goodie: (Link) Bars Closed on St. Patrick’s Day #174, 3-16-20-10. Erin go Bragh!