Congratulations, Roger on a life well-lived! I came to Calvary with my family (husband, Don, daughters Danna Lee (age 3), Dawnell and Danae 4 months old) when we moved to Edwardsville at the end of 1977. Enjoyed your preaching and Sylvia's teaching in Sunday School. Sometime back I checked out some websites to discover that you and your sons are all doing quite well. I pray God will continue to bless you and yours! Doralee Ely
I make comment on the page where there is the photograph of Calvary Baptist Church in Edwardsville, IL. This is the church where I met Roger Ellsworth. I was a student at SIU-Edwardsville, like Roger before me. Joining Calvary Baptist Church when Roger was pastor there was a turning point in my life. It is where I surrendered to the gospel ministry under the preaching of Roger. From that day and until I went to seminary in Ft. Worth, Roger took me under his wing and taught me all he could before I left Calvary. I have always said this: Roger taught me more about the ministry in the years I was with him at Calvary than I was taught in my years in seminary. Frankly, that is not to disparage my years at Southwestern Seminary. Not at all. I learned much there and loved my seminary years. No, it's just that Roger taught me so much. Patiently and with great care he taught me the doctrines of grace, how to preach, how to visit, how to witness, etc. It was the most valuable of experiences. I will always be grateful to Roger and Sylvia and their kindness to me and my wife, Nancy. I am happy to say that Roger and Sylvia are still my dearest of friends.
Roger, congratulations on fifty years in the ministry. May God continue to bless your ministry to the glory of God and to building of His Kingdom. I'm sure I'll see you in Jackson sometime in the near future, but one day we will be together in eternity with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. What a glorious day that will be!
Thank you, Roger, for giving me a "headstart" to my seminary education, but especially for introducing me to the doctrines of grace. I'll never be able to repay you for what you have done for me. All I can do is to be as faithful as I can to call that God has placed on my life to the end of my life. Thank you for being a very important part of my life. I am eternally grateful. Praise God!
Hey Roger, do you remember Joe and Linda Labash? Well that is us. It is so neat to see how your ministry has progressed through the years. I have to say that I am not suprised. We have often thought of you and Sylvia and wondered what was going on. We appreciated your ministry at Calvary Baptist. It feels like it was just yesterday that we were listening to your wonderful sermons. Happy 50 years of ministry! Joe and Linda
Hey Roger! Dennis and Pat Garrison here to wish you a much deserved congratulations on 50 years of ministry!! I guess that means you and I (Pat) are the same age - I always thought you were much older than me - ha!!
Roger and Sylvia, we have such wonderful memories of all of our years at Calvary Baptist (1970-1982). We especially treasure the time we had under your pastorate - such godly leadership, great sermons and the development of a wonderful friendship with your family. Your spiritual guidance to us as a couple is so appreciated; however, you were a rather vicious "Aggravation" player! What fun times!
It's been good to at least keep in touch at Christmas time and hear about your ministry and family throughout the years. We were glad to be able to lift your family in prayer during good and tough times in your ministry. Sounds like the Lord is blessing yet again as you serve Him in TN.
Another thing I am thankful for, Roger, is you introducing me to the writings of Francis Schafer and Martin Lloyd Jones. I have referred back to their books several times over the years and at those times I am reminded of the rich teaching you provided at Calvary Baptist.
I mentioned to Sylvia that we just happen to be in Orlando this week with the Fidoes and Labashes. We often talk about the nature of our life-long friendship and how it could only be from the hand of God! We feel God also had His hand in bringing you and your family to Calvary and blessing us with more very dear friends.
Hope your day of celebration today was a tremendous blessing in your life! We love you both, Dennis and Pat
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Congratulations, Roger on a life well-lived! I came to Calvary with my family (husband, Don, daughters Danna Lee (age 3), Dawnell and Danae 4 months old) when we moved to Edwardsville at the end of 1977. Enjoyed your preaching and Sylvia's teaching in Sunday School.
ReplyDeleteSometime back I checked out some websites to discover that you and your sons are all doing quite well. I pray God will continue to bless you and yours!
Doralee Ely
I make comment on the page where there is the photograph of Calvary Baptist Church in Edwardsville, IL. This is the church where I met Roger Ellsworth. I was a student at SIU-Edwardsville, like Roger before me. Joining Calvary Baptist Church when Roger was pastor there was a turning point in my life. It is where I surrendered to the gospel ministry under the preaching of Roger. From that day and until I went to seminary in Ft. Worth, Roger took me under his wing and taught me all he could before I left Calvary. I have always said this: Roger taught me more about the ministry in the years I was with him at Calvary than I was taught in my years in seminary. Frankly, that is not to disparage my years at Southwestern Seminary. Not at all. I learned much there and loved my seminary years. No, it's just that Roger taught me so much. Patiently and with great care he taught me the doctrines of grace, how to preach, how to visit, how to witness, etc. It was the most valuable of experiences. I will always be grateful to Roger and Sylvia and their kindness to me and my wife, Nancy. I am happy to say that Roger and Sylvia are still my dearest of friends.
ReplyDeleteRoger, congratulations on fifty years in the ministry. May God continue to bless your ministry to the glory of God and to building of His Kingdom. I'm sure I'll see you in Jackson sometime in the near future, but one day we will be together in eternity with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. What a glorious day that will be!
Thank you, Roger, for giving me a "headstart" to my seminary education, but especially for introducing me to the doctrines of grace. I'll never be able to repay you for what you have done for me. All I can do is to be as faithful as I can to call that God has placed on my life to the end of my life. Thank you for being a very important part of my life. I am eternally grateful. Praise God!
Hey Roger, do you remember Joe and Linda Labash? Well that is us. It is so neat to see how your ministry has progressed through the years. I have to say that I am not suprised. We have often thought of you and Sylvia and wondered what was going on. We appreciated your ministry at Calvary Baptist. It feels like it was just yesterday that we were listening to your wonderful sermons. Happy 50 years of ministry! Joe and Linda
ReplyDeleteHey Roger! Dennis and Pat Garrison here to wish you a much deserved congratulations on 50 years of ministry!! I guess that means you and I (Pat) are the same age - I always thought you were much older than me - ha!!
ReplyDeleteRoger and Sylvia, we have such wonderful memories of all of our years at Calvary Baptist (1970-1982). We especially treasure the time we had under your pastorate - such godly leadership, great sermons and the development of a wonderful friendship with your family. Your spiritual guidance to us as a couple is so appreciated; however, you were a rather vicious "Aggravation" player! What fun times!
It's been good to at least keep in touch at Christmas time and hear about your ministry and family throughout the years. We were glad to be able to lift your family in prayer during good and tough times in your ministry. Sounds like the Lord is blessing yet again as you serve Him in TN.
Another thing I am thankful for, Roger, is you introducing me to the writings of Francis Schafer and Martin Lloyd Jones. I have referred back to their books several times over the years and at those times I am reminded of the rich teaching you provided at Calvary Baptist.
I mentioned to Sylvia that we just happen to be in Orlando this week with the Fidoes and Labashes. We often talk about the nature of our life-long friendship and how it could only be from the hand of God! We feel God also had His hand in bringing you and your family to Calvary and blessing us with more very dear friends.
Hope your day of celebration today was a tremendous blessing in your life! We love you both, Dennis and Pat