Ukraine Trip – for Prayer and Thanks for a dear friend, Robertson McQuilkin

WE LEAVE FOR UKRAINE AGAIN ON JUNE 9

JESUS PRAYED IN JOHN 17 FOR PROTECTION FOR HIS DISCIPLES FROM THE EVIL ONE IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER. JOIN HIM IN PRAYING FOR OUR TEAM WHO ARE GOING TO SERVE PASTORS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

AFTER FOUR YEARS OF WAR, THEY ARE VERY TIRED! MAY THE SPIRIT REPLENISH AND REFRESH!

TODAY IS THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF ONE OF MY DEAREST FRIENDS GOING TO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD — HERE ARE SOME OF MY TREASURED LESSONS FROM ROBERTSON MCQUILKIN

Robertson is my pattern of a good MENTOR

• I met him at age 23, and he walked near me for 39 years.
• He prayed for God to give him younger adults he could pray for and launch. I was one of many.
• He entrusted his apprentices with responsibilities that stretched them. Still, he also gave the gift of his time and connected us with others who could help us learn from our mistakes and grow.
• He opened doors to publishers, conference speaking engagements, leadership positions at Columbia Intl, and with churches and other organizations. He freely shared his network with his younger leaders.
• He modeled the tension of living through a clear biblical framework coupled with artistic, free-flowing creativity. He could write a theology on ethics and the Spirit and then pour out a poem of prayer to the Father.  

Robertson was a favorite TEACHER.

• He frustrated students who wanted to copy down the “right” answer and then spew it back out. He taught by posing questions that called students to wrestle and hunger for truth.
• He challenged us constantly to center on the essentials and hold secondary issues with an open hand. 
• I learned to be comfortable with both biblical certainty and mystery.

Robertson served as a GUIDE for me to navigate a world of complexity.  

• Yes, he had practices of Church, mission, marriage, and parenting to name a few of what had been his world, and yet he would listen to my Bob Dylan records. He kept his practices of what was Christian open, but with a Biblical filter.
• His North Star was his daily alone time with Jesus. He used the Bible, a hymnal, and photos of his apprentices, along with many other family and friends, as visual reminders of intercession. He would read each prayer letter he received and pray over it for a few days before responding personally or disposing of it.
• He exercised often, so he had the strength to care for his first wife in her decline and need to be lifted and transferred. He continued his exercise to keep up and enjoy his lovely second wife, Deb.
• Robertson had a clear assignment from God when he returned from service in Japan. HE FOCUSED ON SEEING SPIRIT FILLED LABORERS GO INTO THE HARVEST.

Robertson would not like me calling him a mentor or guide. And he resisted being called Dr. McQuilkin. When I introduced him to someone with these titles, he would frequently interrupt me and say, “We are friends.” 

That is one of my highest honors. Robertson was my friend.