Change is certain

Next week, summer officially ends and autumn begins. I am ready for a change. I am ready for the rains to come and cleanse our skies and water the earth.

I recognize that there is an inexorable law at work in the universe that prevents the Earth from standing still, and as a result of its movement, change takes place. We all are impacted by the same universal law, because we, too, are being moved upon and are continuously being changed.

A few months ago, my wife and I celebrated our 20th anniversary as pastors of the Patterson Family Christian Center. We have witnessed a number of changes in Patterson and our church over those 20 years.

When we began, the population of Patterson was about 5,000, and there were no traffic lights or a McDonald’s. Now, our beautiful city has more than 20,000 people and is expected to double that number; and there are a number of traffic lights and fast food eateries.

We have also seen our church grow significantly, from attendance to technology. As we entered the new millennium, we cast a new vision focusing on families, especially children, and as a result, we renovated our facilities and launched the Kingdom Kidz child development center.

This past June, we waved goodbye to our fifth graduation class, a group of 31 preschool children headed to kindergarten. These graduations would not have been possible if it had not been for the unselfish and tireless work of Murlin and Estel Bowden.

These two brothers were quiet and unassuming, strong and energetic, always smiling and happy. The changes they made in the facilities and property of Family Christian Center provided a beautiful setting for the children in Kingdom Kidz. As I walk the grounds and through the facilities, I see their handiwork.

I write this in their posthumous honor. Not long after these men completed their work, Murlin Bowden suddenly and unexpectedly went to be with the Lord. Estel Bowden followed his brother in death this past July.

I loved these men. They had a deep, abiding faith in Christ. I watched them be changed and transformed into the likeness of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Change is certain. In this season of change, may each one of us become the person God wants us to be — for his glory.

• The Rev. Ken Moren is minister of Family Christian Center. Sermon notes is a column by ministers of the Patterson Ministerial Association.