1991 - Chris Pyron

Most people don't even remember Chris Pyron.  I readily remember two stories about Chris - the day that I first heard him preach and the day that I met him.  Chris was the Youth Minister/Associate Pastor of Northwest Baptist Church when it was just over 3 years old.  The congregation was vibrant and seeking to grow.  Chris was working bi-vocationally for this new startup church. 

The first time that I heard him preach was well into my first year of ministry.  I don't remember the exact topic but I remember that it had to do with prayer and a Scripture that taught of the frivality of meaningless, repetitive words spoken to the Father.  His point was good - we should speak to God as our Father and intimately - but he went on and on speaking against those people who said, "Lord God.." several times in their prayer. 

When Karin and I first met Chris, we were at the Family Christian Bookstore in Town Center Mall.  The bookstore was renting about 20 of the possible 30 contemporary Christian videos on the market.  Somehow we said "Hi" and talk moved to what we did.  We spoke of our passion to Youth Ministry and he spoke of the neat church that he attended.  He invited us to come sometime.  He was down to earth, nice and, as you will see, humble.

Karin and I had just recently left our first church where we served for two years as bi-vocational youth ministers.  Karin worked in architecture and I in banking.  We knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God wanted us to leave but we had no idea what ministry we would end up serving in.

Back at Northwest, the Personnel Committee realized that the Associate Pastor and Youth Ministries could not be done well by the same person and they asked Chris to choose one of the two positions.  Fully expecting Chris to choose Youth Ministry, the team was more than surprised when he chose Associate Pastor.  They were on their fourth youth minister in less years and had not anticipated the need to find a new one.

A week later, Karin and I showed up at Northwest.  Within 2 months we were on staff being evaluated for a part time Youth Ministry role (my starting salary was a whopping $50 per month).

Chris never told us of his challenges and the direction of God.  Chris never made a big deal about being on staff.  Chris just promoted Christ, His church and the Work of God that was going on.  Chris had a light in his eyes and a passion to tell strangers - saved and unsaved - about God.  Chris' heart for God and others was used by God to lead us to Northwest.  Chris' humility about the position that God had given him in ministry will always be remembered by me.  He was far more concerned about us and others than "what God was doing with him."