One of the very first hires I made when I became Vineyard Columbus’ first senior pastor was to hire Linda Heselton to oversee our VineyardKids’ Ministry. And for 25 years we’ve worked side-by-side in serving this wonderful church.
Linda is now retiring (not from Christian service, of course – one never retires from that) as our children’s pastor. Why has Linda been such a gift to the Vineyard (and to me)? Four things immediately come to mind:
From Bill Christensen, International Ministries Pastor:
It has been my great pleasure to be a friend and fellow co-worker with Linda for over 17 years. I recently read an autobiography of a well-known novelist who said that his life pursuit is to examine what makes certain people revolutionaries, world changers. He calls these people “the committed ones.” That’s Linda. And Linda has never been committed in an unfocused way. She has diligently stayed focused on what Jesus affirms as those most priceless in his eyes – children. In a culture that despises the vulnerable, Linda has faithfully for decades dedicated her life and energy to tending to those for whom Jesus interrupts everything else. Linda’s focus has kept our church focused on the importance of children. Linda might be “retiring,” but nothing changes in her heart for those most important to the Lord.
It has been such a blessing to work alongside, pray together, address ministry problems and challenges and rejoice together over Kingdom-come moments with my dear friend, Linda. Linda leaves a rich legacy of character and faithfulness and an outstanding children’s ministry. I love asking new families in our church what makes them join the fellowship. In so many cases they respond that their children ask to come back because they love children’s ministry. I thank God for Linda, her commitment, leadership and service and her love for the Lord that have influenced the development of both VineyardKids Ministry and Vineyard Columbus. Well done, Linda!
From Mike Szlapak, Children’s Pastor
Oh where to begin? Linda has been my supervisor for the past 15 years. Over the years I have put her through a lot with my silly antics, growing up and seeing God’s abundant blessing on the ministry. I know I contributed to giving her gray hair.
Linda has been like a mother to me who has been a pillar in times of stress and a beacon in times of confusion. She has “held my feet to the fire” in ministry making sure that I was a man of my word, checking and double checking God’s work in me and my ministry. God has used Linda to grow me as a pastor, as a leader and as a man of God. She taught me to take criticism like “water off a duck’s back.” God has been good and I see how God has used Linda in my life.
We have worked together for so long that I draw strength from Linda. Often God places others in our lives so we can draw strength from them, and now with Linda retiring I will have to draw my strength from the Lord in a new way.
I am so thankful for all Linda has been to me and am especially thankful for the good times and the learning times.
From Pam White, Pastoral Coordinator for Preschool Children’s Ministry
I joined the staff 16 years ago and began to work alongside Linda in our VineyardKids ministry. There were several things that immediately became apparent to me about Linda and VineyardKids. She wanted them to be a priority here at Vineyard Columbus and has worked faithfully all these years to make sure that happened. We can see the fruit of her hard work right before our eyes each weekend at our services.
When I think about Linda, there are two things that stand out in her physical appearance that correspond to who she has been as our VineyardKids Pastor for 25 years. The first thing is that I believe God made Linda to have beautiful white hair because he wanted her to stand out and be seen by our children and their parents. Linda can be easily found even in a large crowded room! One of our leaders described Linda this way to me, “The tall willowy woman with the snowy white hair.”
The second thing is that I believe that God made Linda tall because he knew that she would stand up for children. Linda has been standing out and standing up for our children here for 25 years, by advocating for them and championing them as part of God’s Kingdom now! A verse that she loves is Psalm 71:18, “Even when I am old and gray,do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.”
Although gray, Linda is not very old, but for 25 years she has declared the power of God that has impacted this generation and the next! Congratulations Linda!