Uplook - May 6, 2023
Dearly Beloved Seattle Saints,
I know the greeting “dearly beloved” sounds a bit antiquated but it reminds me of Rev. Harold Barrett, our founding missionary to South Korea who is now with the Lord. He was instrumental at many pivotal points in my Christian experience. After attending our church for about 4 months, he and his wife Sis. Sally visited, projecting photos and describing how God was working in that country. For those who knew him, you will remember that while he was not particularly eloquent , the overwhelming love in his heart just seemed to leak out whenever he spoke of the Lord or the saints whom he loved and served. It was not uncommon to hear him to refer to the saints during a sermon as “dearly beloved”. On that first night I don’t remember even speaking personally to him but kneeling next to my bed at home later that night I discovered what it meant to be “dearly beloved” by the heavenly Father whom he had spoken of.
Over the next few years Bro. Barrett seemed to have "spiritual radar" when we were praying at our annual camp meeting convention somehow ending up nearby praying for others and for me. As I matured in faith he set an example of love for the saints when praying for them which I desired to emulate. In one of these prayer meetings he asked me about being a missionary and then asked me if I had even spoken to my neighbor. Piercing words of love designed to lead me in what it meant to really love people with God’s love. A few years later after I had been preaching a while, they visited our town again and in a prayer meeting following a Sunday night service I felt God’s call to become a pastor. I asked Lori to pray for me as I did not want to get ahead of the Lord but in a couple of months at camp meeting I was asked to become a pastor.
After Sis. Sally passed away, Bro. Barrett visited our church and stayed in our home. Even in his grief and loss his love for God and the saints just flowed in his conversations and preaching. My children who were young at the time felt it and we were privileged to have him dedicate our youngest daughter. It was on this trip he asked me about visiting the Philippines with him and we agreed to pray about it. That was about 30 years ago this month and about 8 months later I made my first trip to Asia. I was privileged to travel to the Philippines with Bro. Barrett two times before his age prevented him from traveling any longer. He rejoiced when I began to feel a small measure of the same love and burden that he had not only for the saints in Asia but for souls in general.
I know I am waxing a bit nostalgic about the “old days” but only in an attempt to let you know that each of you are indeed “dearly beloved” not only to me but more importantly to our Heavenly Father. Just as God was faithful to bring Bro. Barrett across my path to mentor and instruct (as well as many others) so He will be faithful to you in your journey of faith. It is my prayer and hope that in the days ahead prior to the return of the Lord you will step into the great privilege and responsibility of being God’s “dearly beloved” and you will let that confident love flow through you to those around you with whom you come in contact. By this will all men know…if you have fervent love one to another.
We will rejoice to see many of you tomorrow in service and know that many others will be watching via our streaming platforms and trust they will feel God’s warm and loving embrace. Lord willing, Lori and I plan to travel after morning service to our sister church in Pullman, WA and will preach there in the evening service. We plan to be in Wednesday Bible Study at home so will not be gone long. Pray for us.
Blessings,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
I know the greeting “dearly beloved” sounds a bit antiquated but it reminds me of Rev. Harold Barrett, our founding missionary to South Korea who is now with the Lord. He was instrumental at many pivotal points in my Christian experience. After attending our church for about 4 months, he and his wife Sis. Sally visited, projecting photos and describing how God was working in that country. For those who knew him, you will remember that while he was not particularly eloquent , the overwhelming love in his heart just seemed to leak out whenever he spoke of the Lord or the saints whom he loved and served. It was not uncommon to hear him to refer to the saints during a sermon as “dearly beloved”. On that first night I don’t remember even speaking personally to him but kneeling next to my bed at home later that night I discovered what it meant to be “dearly beloved” by the heavenly Father whom he had spoken of.
Over the next few years Bro. Barrett seemed to have "spiritual radar" when we were praying at our annual camp meeting convention somehow ending up nearby praying for others and for me. As I matured in faith he set an example of love for the saints when praying for them which I desired to emulate. In one of these prayer meetings he asked me about being a missionary and then asked me if I had even spoken to my neighbor. Piercing words of love designed to lead me in what it meant to really love people with God’s love. A few years later after I had been preaching a while, they visited our town again and in a prayer meeting following a Sunday night service I felt God’s call to become a pastor. I asked Lori to pray for me as I did not want to get ahead of the Lord but in a couple of months at camp meeting I was asked to become a pastor.
After Sis. Sally passed away, Bro. Barrett visited our church and stayed in our home. Even in his grief and loss his love for God and the saints just flowed in his conversations and preaching. My children who were young at the time felt it and we were privileged to have him dedicate our youngest daughter. It was on this trip he asked me about visiting the Philippines with him and we agreed to pray about it. That was about 30 years ago this month and about 8 months later I made my first trip to Asia. I was privileged to travel to the Philippines with Bro. Barrett two times before his age prevented him from traveling any longer. He rejoiced when I began to feel a small measure of the same love and burden that he had not only for the saints in Asia but for souls in general.
I know I am waxing a bit nostalgic about the “old days” but only in an attempt to let you know that each of you are indeed “dearly beloved” not only to me but more importantly to our Heavenly Father. Just as God was faithful to bring Bro. Barrett across my path to mentor and instruct (as well as many others) so He will be faithful to you in your journey of faith. It is my prayer and hope that in the days ahead prior to the return of the Lord you will step into the great privilege and responsibility of being God’s “dearly beloved” and you will let that confident love flow through you to those around you with whom you come in contact. By this will all men know…if you have fervent love one to another.
We will rejoice to see many of you tomorrow in service and know that many others will be watching via our streaming platforms and trust they will feel God’s warm and loving embrace. Lord willing, Lori and I plan to travel after morning service to our sister church in Pullman, WA and will preach there in the evening service. We plan to be in Wednesday Bible Study at home so will not be gone long. Pray for us.
Blessings,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
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