Doing the Work of an Evangelist

Posted by Karen on Oct 9, 2019 | 1 comment

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season… Keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:2A, 5)

I’ll never forget the first time I heard Arleta Keck preach. My family had made the annual trek from California to Washington to celebrate Thanksgiving with all the relatives on Dad’s side. Now we were trying to find a place to park for a typical packed-out Sunday evening service at the Vancouver Foursquare Gospel Church. Arleta was the guest speaker that night and I was riveted as she preached from 1 Kings 17 on Elijah being fed by the ravens. I was just a young teenager, but keenly aware of the power of the Holy Spirit as she ministered.

After spending two years at a local university, I transferred to L.I.F.E. Bible College, which was located at that time next to Angelus Temple where Arleta was an associate pastor. I was delighted to have many such role models of strong, Godly women in the ministry. Upon graduation, I joined Arleta on the evangelistic field for 10½ joyful years.

Today would’ve been Arleta’s 86th birthday. She finished her race three weeks ago. She used to say that I kept her young and she kept me smart! She was a true mentor and dear friend, open-handed and open-hearted. I thank God for her love and unwavering belief in me and the call of God on my life.