IT IS NOT GOOD BYE, IT IS SEE YOU LATER!

Hebrews 2:14-15 says, “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”

Our new brother in Christ, Bill Secor passed away at 10:45am, Friday, February 15, 2008. He was baptized into Jesus Christ on Monday night at about 9:00pm, February 11^th. A few days after being in the hospital, he started to tell his wife of 28 years, Mary Lou that he was terrified of dying. My dad, Neil Chloupek, who has been a friend of Bill’s for some 62 years, and I went to the hospital Sunday night, February 10^th to study the Bible with Bill. We studied with him for several hours that night. We then returned Monday night and continued to study with him. I asked him why he was scared to die. He told me that he didn’t think he was good enough to go to heaven. I told him he was right but then told him that no one was good enough to make it to heaven on their own. That is why God sent his son to die on the cross for us.

Coltin Rohn just baptized – center right,

between Jamal who met him and Mike Patterson.

I was amazed at his humility, faith and repentance of his sins as we studied the Bible with him to prepare him to be baptized into Christ. I have been profoundly impacted by Bill Secor’s baptism and watching him come to faith in Jesus. To see this 70 year old man on his death bed not thinking about anything except where he will spend eternity has given me a new sense of urgency for the lost. Then to watch as his only concern became one to save anyone who would listen. Bill valiantly shared his new found faith with everyone who came into his room. He even made a list of about 50 people he wanted Neil and all the disciples who visited to talk to about what had happened to him. His desire was to see his friends and family saved as he had been! William R. Secor was born November 8^th, 1937. He was married to his wife, Mary Lou for 28 years. He was a teacher for 15 years and the author of three books. Even this late in life there is hope in Jesus Christ! His comments after being baptized will forever ring in my ears. At one point he said, “My hope is that if I get out of this bed, I want to be able to go to church with all of you”. Although he never got to see a service here- there is rejoicing in heaven as our brother will now be able worship the Lord with the angels.

Jamal Ellis baptizes Coltin.

Matthew 20:1-16 For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. “About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. “He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ “The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ “But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Bill Secor with his wife Mary

Lou right after he is baptized!

Bill is being richly rewarded for his four (4) days as a sold out disciple! Watching his gratefulness, courage and love for the Lord and his new family was life changing and a higher call to each of us. We are so grateful and honored to have known Bill- what a tremendous life and story he leaves with us.

Neil Chloupek with his friend of 62 years just before baptism.

We will see you later Bill,

Bill makes his good confession of faith.

Life is short, and then we get to go to Heaven,

Love, your brother in Christ,

Chris Chloupek