It was a full and wonderful day of fellowship and renewal. As the sun slid down behind the trees casting a shadow in my parents' living room, Uncle Walt realized it was time for him and Aunt Jackie to head home. He placed his hands on his knees and said, "Well, we need to get back to Columbus."

Uncle Walt began to rise from the couch. "But Gary, before we go, there's something I've got to say." He sat back down. "When are you going to get about doing what God called you to do? I don't know how long God is going to be patient with you, but my patience has just about run out."

For the next hour and a half, Uncle Walt reflected on my life, my experiences as a young boy at Germantown and the things he had observed regarding the gifts God had given me.

On our way home I turned to my wife Maryann and said, "Well, what do you think about what Uncle Walt said?" Without a moment's hesitation she replied, "I think he's right." A few months later we were in a three-church district in northwest Ohio, assigned to Uncle Walt as my mentor in ministry.

Uncle Walt mentioned he had not planned to say anything that day, but as he began to stand up, the words came out.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to be his partner in ministry on your behalf, for his faithful partnership with God and for his willingness to risk living "in the Spirit." I'm going to miss our former president, and I know you will too.

Gary Burns is the communication director of the Lake Union Conference.