Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

Today is the funeral of a man that has influenced my life in many ways. I have only known him for a few years but his legacy will live on within me and some many people impacted by his life.

It was the beginning of one summer on a Sunday and I was beginning my internship at the Newark church of Christ. I was greeted at the door by two men: Tom and Art. I introduced myself and asked how they were doing and I got two answers: “TERRIFIC!” and “OUTSTANDING!” Now sometimes you hear these kinds of answers from people and you think they are faking but for some reason I knew these guys meant it. Tom then went to one of the other doors of the building and Art and I sat in the lobby and talked. He was so excited to hear I was working with teenagers and was encouraging me to “keep it going” which was a phrase I would hear a lot in the coming years. Art then began to tell me his story and how he got to the point he was at now. It was a wonderful story and one that Art was not afraid to tell you even if you had heard it before. But it was his story…it was his life. To be honest it was a piece of mastered artwork when he told it.

Eventually I came back to work at Newark and the first day I walked in the doors on a Sunday in the fall and the same two guys greeted me. And again I heard those words that would begin to change my outlook on life: “Terrific” and “Outstanding”. I again sat down and began to talk with Tom and Art and they were talking to me about their work in the prison. I came to find out that Art had been working in the prison for almost 40 years. So Art asked me if I would be interested in going down to the prison. At first I was not that interested however I decided that I would go and speak one Sunday morning. I had never been to a prison or even talked with an inmate but there I was in a chapel with over 400 inmates waiting for me to come and speak to them. But I realized that these men were changed men and as I sat and talked with them about their story and where they have come from I hear over and over again how much they appreciate the efforts of Art and the impact he has made on their life. Many of them said they wouldn’t be the people they were without people like Art coming and caring for them in their darkest times. I was touched by this experience. I have had the pleasure of helping and working with the prison for the past three years and have been moved, changed, and humbled by the experience.

On the way home we were talking about the experience in the prison and Art and Tom suggested I try out the bread ministry. It took some little bit of convincing (with the help of Jerry, Bill, and Bruce) but I decided to go on a few of the “runs”. What I had come to find out is that many of the hurting, not well off people in this area are touched by this ministry of delivering bread and talking with people. Again and again I hear of people wondering and asking about Art and saying how much of an impact he made in their life. The bread ministry has been a life changing experience that has made me more aware of the needs of our community but also what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.

A few days before Art passed away, I went to visit him alone. We sat and we talked about life, about what was going on with me, and of course how the bread ministry was going (since he wasn’t there and I was going on it on a regular basis). Art always made sure to ask about the teenagers at the church. He loved every one of them and cared for them so much. He was concerned about their lives and was praying that they would get the love and support that they need to stay close to God. I think this passion and love for teenagers comes out of the prison ministry because he has worked with so many people have fallen away because they did not have the type of support and love that they truly needed. As I was getting ready to leave I shook Art’s hand and gave him a hug and he raised his fist to me and said, “Keep it going”. These were his last words to me.

Art’s life was about Hebrews 12. For me he was one of my witnesses. He was one of the people encouraging me to keep it going whether in the good or the bad. He was one of the people that showed me God’s workings in the world in a real way. He was one that kept me pushing towards the prize. But now…Art has finished the race. I know today he is there still telling me to “Keep it going”. Even in Art’s death, his legacy lives on. His impact lives on. His love and his commitment to God was all worth it because not only will he live forever but his works for the kingdom will live on in me and the hundreds of people that were impacted by his life and his deeds. In life and in death, Art’s example shows and tells me to “keep it going” because in life and in death, it was all worth it.

Art: I love and miss you. You were a great example of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. I pray that I can continue to live life to the fullest as you did till the day you left this earth. I hope there is a bread ministry in heaven because I know that is what you want to be doing for all of eternity. Keep it going…