Niles Westside Gets a New Pastor – Finally!
by Walt Williams
After nearly eleven months, Niles Westside has a new pastor. Elder Darrel le Roux and family from Durban, South Africa, will be joining our congregation, hopefully within a couple of months. Although he was unknown to most of us until very recently, everyone seems pleased with the choice. During his visit (his first to America), we heard him preach and sing twice, socialized with the family several times, and spent time in a formal interview.
Elder le Roux has some seventeen years of pastoral experience, all in South Africa. In addition to pastoring a number of congregations, he was interim conference president for a short time during the uniting of three conferences into one. Darrel’s desire to grow as a pastor fueled a budding dream for “mission” service outside South Africa–never thinking the US would be that mission field. Since his wife, Tami, basically grew up in America from ages 5-17, returning here is a dream come true.
The family, including Elijah (6), Tyler (4), and Zachary (2), have returned to South Africa to dispose of everything possible in order to move to Niles as quickly as possible. There is a serious need for prayer for their immigration papers to America, as that can be challenging. But we all feel the leading of the Lord in their selection and seek a speedy reunion. Join us in giving thanks for the le Rouxs, and pray for their safe and quick return to their new church home and country.
Dear Niles Yummy Christians, Wow, what a fantastic church you are. We have had a reception that we will always cherish. Driving back home from Niles today, Tami remarked with sadness on how short a time we had spent here and how easily we could spend months and years here with warm, embracing fellow believers. Even our kids asked if we REALLY HAD to go back to South Africa.
Thank you to all who have made this experience such a fabulous one. It was not the play grounds, but friends, not the stuff available for kids, but the teachers in Sabbath School, not the open spaces, but open people that made the biggest difference to us. I cannot help thinking that after yummy fellow believers have traveled through this old world, we will have a heavenly homecoming that will be literally “out of this world!” It will not be the streets of gold, gates of pearls, or the mansions . . . but the yummy Christians with holy angels and God’s glorious presence that create heaven’s atmosphere. May He who began a good work in us complete His work in preparing us to be the Yummiest Christians to enter heaven together. (Phil. 1:6)
Looking forward to embracing you again soon,
Yours in His Yummy Molding Oven, Darrel, Tami & Family
