My name is Evan Aldridge if you are a regular visitor to this site you don’t know me because this is my very first time to post on this site. I am the Music Minister at Temple Baptist Church, where Craig Tanner serves as Youth Minister.
I graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1989 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Church Music. I have been serving here at T.B.C. since last June.
We have recently had a very sad event occur within our church family here at T.B.C.. Dan Kerr a member of our church staff passed away peacefully in his sleep about 1:30 Sunday morning. To me he was a father figure. Although I had only known him since last June I loved the man deeply and feel so privileged to have known him. I woke up this morning at 5:30 am singing the words of a choral piece that I had sung in college. This is really quite miraculous since I graduated in 1989. What makes it even more miraculous is that I remembered the song at all since I can barely remember what I did five minutes ago let alone what I did over 15 years ago. I believe this memory is God comforting me during this time of loss, because I seem to be grieving Dan’s passing as I would a family memeber.
The words of the song are John 14:1-3 and then Revelation 21:4-5, skipping to chapter 22:5.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am there you may be also. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, behold I make all things new. There shall be no night there: and they need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light and they shall reign forever and ever.”
I know the part in Revelation is speaking about the new heaven and earth when Christ returns, but it is comforting to know that Dan is experienceing something like the picture that is painted in scripture today. I am so happy for Dan, but I’m still going to miss him terribly.
As I reflected on these words and on Dan’s life my thoughts were drawn to the Christian’s life. We have in these verses a picture of what lies ahead for the Christian. We have a picture of what it is like to be in the very presence of God, and we see a picture of what it will be like when Christ returns and Satan is conquered. We already know the end of the story, Satan will utlimately be conquered. If we believe this then why aren’t we living more victorious lives?
Dan Kerr lived a victorious life. He fought so many battles and won daily. I believe that Dan was victorious because he knew Jesus first of all, and then because he had locked in on the knowledge that I speak about today. He touched so many lives because he had this knowledge, and because of that he wanted to make sure that as many people as possible would get to experience what he is experiencing now. I thank God for Dan Kerr and the life he lived while he was here on earth and I look forward to the day when I see him again in Glory.
Thank you for sharing that with us.
Hi, Evan–
Thanks for posting this. For all who knew Dan and had the opportunity to work with him at TBC, this was very encouraging.
I didn’t know you went to OBU–was Dr. Taylor president then? Or did he come along later?
I think we might have a new blogger. I expect to see weekly posts.
Good post.
Evan, it certainly is a privelage to know a man as such as Dan Kerr. Take with you daily the blessings and faith he had with the Lord in all your memories. I know some days my thoughts of the relationships I have witnessed in others who have passed on to glory with Christ hold me up and comfort me.
Bless God in all you do and thanks for the sweet peace of your memory. In Love and Christ
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