I drove only 17 miles from my home in the suburbs of Chicago and found myself in a mission jungle. Sometimes you just never know where God leads yet, as you remain obedient you are given an opportunity to have an extraordinary experience that forever changes your life and shapes your ministry worldview!
Let me back up for just a moment. I received a phone call from a friend of mine who said, “Hey Rick, what are you doing Sunday afternoon?” I answered, ”Well, what do you have in mind?”
At first I was thinking that perhaps my friend wanted to buy me dinner but instead he offered me an opportunity that has stuck with me now for over 13 years. My well respected friend and mentor, Rev. Howard Robbins is a pastor and ministry leader. His ministry has taken him around the world.
He told me that there is an opportunity for me to give a eulogy and prayer at a service in downtown Chicago. Of all places, and to my surprise, this event occurred at the John Hancock building on the 44th floor. He said that he received a call from the niece of a man who was prominent. He told me just to prepare and to arrive early so that I could chat with those organizing the event but more details would follow.
Up to a challenge and a little bit naïve, I quickly wrote down as much information as I could and begin to make contact with family members. They knew to expect me but told me very little about how things would be organized. Yet, in spite of challenge, I made my way to the parking garage of the well-known Chicago high-rise, the John Hancock building.
Entering the lobby I was escorted further to the location where the ceremony was to occur. I briefly made introduction with members of the family and was further introduced to the gentleman giving lead. The gentleman that I met had an outgoing personality with a beaming smile. He said to me, “Hello young man, I’m your emcee for today’s events!”
I thought to myself, what have I gotten myself into? I wasn’t sure if I was even in the right location because the atmosphere was rather unique. There was an open bar for anyone who wanted an alcoholic drink and some appetizers that were being catered as well. Chairs were assembled in rows like a theater with a traditional podium at the front but this was no traditional experience I ever had at a Funeral/Memorial Service. Nearly everyone was dressed in a very professional tailored attire and the crowd looked to be very wealthy. The leader, a.k.a. emcee, gave me the rundown for “today’s activities”
My emcee simply said, “I will give opening remarks and invite you to come forward to pray and then I will make other remarks and invite you to come up again and give your speech.” He encouraged me to be brief and to the point and wondered if it was OK to just simply introduce me as, “Our local padre.” Nodding my head in disbelief I was anxious just to get things underway.
Looking out the large glass windows, overlooking the Chicago Skyline, I wondered what planet I was on. Everything seemed very strange to me. I lifted up a word of prayer and ask the Lord to give me a message that would speak to everyone in attendance. The message that I had prepared for this occasion just did not seem appropriate. This was an unusual experience and likely a tremendous opportunity for those in attendance, especially for me!
The memorial service begin with a strange introduction by the emcee. While lifting up his glass of champagne for a toast to our dear departed one named Leo, I sank into my seat still praying!
To my shock and amazement the emcee began to describe his relationship with Leo. That was the first time that I ever learned who Leo was. ”Oh, Leo!” our emcee muttered. “What could be said of a man that has done so much in his 90 years of living?“
He continued, “Leo has built the business from the ground up. He created the brand that we know as the Marboro man he promoted the sale of cigarettes that launched him into a marketing guru. He has dined with celebrities including Hugh Hefner himself. From the time they would meet in this very room & they grew an industry of the likes few can aspire to.”
I sank deeper into my seat!
He went on to say, “Our local Padre will now open our meeting in prayer.”
Gulp!
With further remarks that were made by the emcee, I had wondered if I had entered a mission jungle because I understood nothing about the life and experience of nearly everyone in the room. It’s as if they spoke a different language in their customs were far from my own. As my mind drifted and my heart beat out of my chest I continued to pray and especially as the emcee read a personal letter from Hugh Hefner. The letter was, well, let me just say that it was not G-Rated.
What suddenly brought me out of my racing mind were the words that the emcee said next. He simply said, “Well, Padre, come and give your speech!“
I was completely dependent on the Lord at that moment as I shared a message about God‘s love and plan for our sinful state of existence. I assure you that whatever I said, It had to be from the Lord because I was truly dependent on His leading at that moment.
Remarkably, the attendees responded very well and especially as the emcee said in his own words, “Padre, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Good words!“
I mingled a bit with others including a man who had worked for Leo his entire life at the company. He remarked that he wished that Leo knew the Lord. He told me that he tried often to share his Christian faith with him but that Leo would generally reply, “That’s good for you but I’m different.”
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| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hancock_Center Now called 875 North Michigan Avenue (175 E Delaware) |
To my surprise however this gentleman told me that Leo saved his life! He said to me, “I wouldn’t be a Christian today if it wasn’t for Leo.“ With a look of shock on my face I simply replied, “Tell me more!”
He shared a remarkable story that I’ll have to pick up with you on the next edition but simply to say in his own words; “Even God could use a man like Leo, if for no other reason but to bring me into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He continued, “Yet, he denied himself the same joy and peace that I experience every day in my walk with Jesus.”
This experience has informed me and my ministry over the years to be willing to share the good news with everyone no matter where the Lord leads you.
This experience has informed me and my ministry over the years to be willing to share the good news with everyone no matter where the Lord leads you.
