Last week it was my honor to have a part in presiding over a funeral for Louis Thompson. He served as the pulpit minister for the Choctaw congregation for seventeen years and then as a family minister and elder for several years after that.

Those of us who took part in his memorial service were commended by many for doing a good job of handling it. The reality, however, is that it was Louis’ transformed life and years of service and commitment to the Lord that laid the foundation for what we were able to do and say that day. When anyone follows the Lord’s way in this fallen world, he ‘preaches’ himself his own good funeral, so to speak. Louis did that!

Louis was a gifted man with a knack for winning souls to Christ. It was asked at the funeral for all who had been either baptized or led to baptism by Louis to signify that by raising their hands. We did not stop and take the time to get a count, as the exact number was not the point. We just wanted all who were there to see along with us how much of a positive, eternal impact this good man’s life had had… and there were in fact, many hands raised high and unashamedly in the air that day.

Choctaw is one of the most loving congregations I have ever known. So many visitors to our assemblies have commented to me personally about this. There is a spirit of warmth here and brotherhood that does not exist in all congregations, though of course it should. A couple of years ago Mike Mazzalongo and I (Mike preached here for seven years, working with Louis right after he stepped down from the pulpit) were talking about this very phenomena when Mike observed that this congregation’s warm nature is likely to be attributed in a large part to Louis’ influence. I could not help but agree. After all, one can not help but see that same spirit in Louis and Ann’s family. Well, our beloved brother Louis is gone, but his good works do follow him, and his good influence will be with us for years to come.
This will be the continuing pattern until the Lord whom we serve returns. Just as we often sing, soldiers of Christ arise and put their armor on, strong in the strength which God supplies through His Beloved Son. They overcome through Christ alone, and stand entire at last. The following verse, author unknown to me, says very well:


One army of the Living God, before One Throne we bow,
Part of the host has crossed the flood, the rest are crossing now


We will miss you brother, but abide in the confidence that we will see you on the other side of the Jordan.
Marty Kessler