Who Are You Passing Your Faith Along To?
In Luke 19, we meet Zacchaeus, a man who climbed a tree just to see Jesus. He was curious, searching, and maybe even desperate for something more. But what stands out most in this story isn’t Zacchaeus’s curiosity; it’s Jesus’ response. Jesus stops, looks up, and calls Zacchaeus by name. In that moment, Zacchaeus’s life changes forever.
Faith has a way of doing that, it’s passed along, shared, and embodied in relationships. Most of us didn’t come to faith by accident. Someone, at some point, noticed us. Someone shared a word of encouragement, took time to teach us, or simply lived out the love of Christ in a way that made us want to climb higher, look closer, and listen deeper.
For me, one of those people was Rev. John Earl Taylor, or “Jet,” as so many affectionately called him. John was one of those rare souls who could see potential in others before they could see it in themselves. During my time in seminary and on the journey toward ordination in the United Methodist Church, John was a mentor, encourager, and friend. He didn’t just offer advice, he offered faith, lived and spoken.
He would share stories of his own ministry, filled with grace, laughter, and a deep trust in God’s calling. Sometimes he’d tell me exactly what I needed to hear, and other times he’d simply remind me that the work of ministry isn’t about perfection but about faithfulness. I can still hear his voice in my head saying, “Keep showing up. God’s already at work before you even arrive.”
This Saturday, November 1st at 2:00 PM, many will gather at Lakewood United Methodist Church to celebrate John’s life, a life that touched so many. And how fitting it is that we do so on All Saints Day, a day when the Church gives thanks for the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us, those whose faith continues to shape our lives and ministries. John Taylor was truly one of those saints. He may not have been perfect, but he was faithful; not seeking recognition, but leaving a legacy that will ripple through generations of disciples and pastors.
As I reflect on John’s life and witness, I find myself asking: Who am I passing my faith along to? Who are the “Zacchaeuses” in my life, those watching from the sidelines, curious about faith, waiting for someone to notice them and call them by name?
Faith that isn’t shared becomes stagnant. Faith that’s passed along becomes living, breathing, and world-changing. Rev. John Taylor understood that. Jesus understood that. And we’re called to understand it too.
So today, take a moment to give thanks for the people who helped you see Jesus more clearly and then go find someone you can help do the same. Because one of the greatest ways to honor the saints who have mentored us in faith is to become that kind of saint for someone else.
In God’s grip,
Pastor Chuck Church
Prayer:
Gracious God, thank you for the people who have helped shape our faith — for mentors, teachers, and encouragers like Rev. John “Jet” Taylor. On this All Saints Day, we give thanks for his life and for all those who have gone before us, whose faith still speaks. Help us to carry their legacy forward by sharing the love of Christ with others. Open our eyes to those who are searching, and give us the courage to reach out, to notice, and to invite them to see Jesus. Amen.
