A BRIEF TRIBUTE TO VERNON MCPHERSON

I have many mentors in my life, four of which bear the name McPherson.

Ray, a Christian man, an ordinary man with one of the sweetest spirits I have ever experienced. He is a husband and father of four, deacon of GCC, co-worker of Life-trac Family Ministries, and a man who demonstrates Christ in the most genuine ways.

Greg, a Christian man, an ordinary man with a burning ministry on his heart regarding marriage and family. He is a husband and father of two young men Josh and Carey. He is a man who has touched countless people in the midst of some of life’s greatest challenges and his impact on my life can’t be measured.

Josh, a Christian man, a seminary student, a dynamic elder of a young church plant of 200, and one of the best young preachers I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. I believe God is honored by messages from his pulpit. He is the husband of a lovely bride carrying their 3rd child and a father of one wild young man and a sweet, sweet daughter.

Carey, a Christian man, deacon of the church, godly husband, father of a newborn girl, and gifted teacher of God’s word. A man who I stood beside tonight in the back of a local college lecture hall while gazing upon the crowd gathered at the event he initiated. A showing of a documentary of debates between two scholarly men asking the question: Is Christianity good for the World, in which he competently fielded questions. I believe his grandpa would be so proud and honored.

There are others in the McPherson family including the many noble women of faith that display a great witness and testimony of Christ, but I specifically chose four men to display the legacy of another. These men’s lives have changed mine and I attribute much of that to another man, namely Vernon McPherson (or uncle Vernon as I affectionately call him). He demonstrated and proclaimed the gospel while cultivating it into his family with which I am a beneficiary. He was a man marked by the one we call “The Son of Man”. His legacy is not merely these men but the message with which they proclaim and the life they demonstrate. Vernon… a man awakened to see one of the most important things he could accomplish by the grace of God was to be the means by which his family would be part of another lineage, Christ’s lineage. Teaching them the ways of the Lord and showing them the fulfillment of their greatest desires was in Christ alone. I know uncle Vernon loved his family because he pointed to what would ultimately satisfy them…Jesus Christ!

Herein lies a tribute to Vern McPherson… that his life and death was a tribute to Christ! A man, a means of grace. To God be the glory! Amen.

With fond memories, love, and gratitude,
Eric Chase and Family