Mike Harper
89.5 KVNE Mornings

“How would you like to be our Singles Pastor?”

Shocking but real, the words came across my land line in November 1993.

Immediately the battle in my brain was on. Like the little devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other. “You can’t be a singles pastor. You’re barely a CHRISTIAN!” “Sure you can. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength!”

There was an element of truth in both voices. Philippians 4:13 was certainly a scripture I believed. But I couldn’t deny I had only been a Christian a few years. No training. No seminary. My only ministry experience was reading a scripture once an hour on KVNE, and a smidge of youth work. Hardly a resume for such a lofty title as “pastor.” I confess… I was a bit intimidated.

But alas, this was Rose Heights Church in Tyler, Texas. The church who’d accepted my family and me with open arms and offered such great preaching, music, and programs, not to mention so many opportunities to get involved.

So here it was. The ultimate opportunity to shepherd a group of single adults by teaching Sunday School, coordinating fellowships, visiting, and providing counseling availability.

It was a part-time gig, so I’d be able to keep my radio job, but admittedly this was a big undertaking.

“Okay if I pray about it?”

Of course. What are they gonna say? “No?” Certainly not. So I did. I prayed. But not for long. I knew what I was supposed to do. I loved God and loved my church. I was young with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. “I’m in.”

The department was already established, so I had a ready made “congregation” of about fifty. I started teaching Sunday School off site at The Potpourri House Restaurant. They opened the dining room early just for our group. We had all the trimmings. A singer/pianist opened with praise and worship, some small groups, and of course, coffee and donuts.

My Lovely Wife and Life Partner Lois was more than supportive. She helped me more than I can describe with everything from logistics, administration, and just being a trusted, praying friend for the singles.

After about a year of going from having absolutely no idea what I was doing to gradually learning the ropes, I actually left my broadcasting gig to go full-time in singles ministry.

That year was a time of phenomenal education and spiritual growth. But by 1995, I felt my time there was coming to an end. I went back to KVNE with no hard feelings on either end.

My time at Rose Heights Singles Department was an era I’ll cherish forever. The relationships formed there will always be special. What I came to realize is if we profess Christ, we’re called to do much of what the Singles Pastor job description called for: to serve; to be a Godly example; to visit people in the hospital; to pray for people.

So in a way, as Christians, we’re all pastors!

Pass the donuts.

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