Hi. My name is Greg Gaskell, and I’ve been attending Bethany Church, off and on, for my entire life. But I’m not here to talk about my walk. I’m here to talk about my Dad, Gordon Gaskell, who has been associated with this church going on 45 years. Many of you know Gordon as a member of the Parking Team, greeting you as you arrive here on Sunday Mornings.My dad first started going to Bethany in 1965. He was married, had a daughter named Julie and a second child on the way. At that time church attendance was somewhere between 50 and 60 people a week with about 20 children in Sunday school.
After a few years, my Dad held his first leadership role as chairman of the stewardship committee. Throughout the sixties both the church attendance and it’s culture remained constant. There was Liberal preaching from the pulpit and little or no evangelism.
By 1970 my Mom was told she would be unable to conceive any more children, so they started looking into adoption. In April of 1971 they adopted a little guy named Steven. It was also in 1971 that Bethany Church began searching for a new Pastor. Ultimately, after a long and thorough search, they decided on a 70-year-old Presbyterian minister from long island, named Richard Schlafer.
Reverend Schlafer began serving as Bethany’s pastor at the end of February, 1972. At the beginning of March, despite what they had been told, my parents had another child. Me. And this is where the story really picks up speed. My Dad, excited about the arrival of his fourth child bursts into Rev. Schlafer’s office with the good news. To which Rev. Schlafer responds, “That’s great, Gordon… now let’s talk.”
Then they began a conversation about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. My dad had no idea what Rev. Schlafer was talking about, but by the end of the conversation my Dad was on his knees and he got saved. On my birthday. So, you know… no pressure.
The weekend following that day, the leadership from Bethany went on a retreat with their new Pastor, which my dad calls the greatest weekend of his life. During that retreat six more people were saved, and when they all came back there was a new energy and enthusiasm among them. And at the pulpit, they had this 70 year old Presbyterian minister who started preaching the Gospel.
Within that first year over fifty people were saved. Bible studies began forming, and church attendance began to grow. Mostly with young couples in their 20s and 30s. In 1973, the church went on a mission to deliver the gospel of Luke to every household in Rye. Clearly, Bethany was transforming.
In 1976 Rev. Schlafer died of a heart attack - a year before he was going to retire. During his tenure, church attendance grew to between 250 and 300 people. There was now a youth program. A senior high ministry. And over 200 people were saved.
In 1965 my Dad started going to church at Bethany. Somewhere early on, God put it on his heart that He had a plan. I remember when this building was under construction. He brought me here to show it to me. It was in the winter and it was cold. And all I saw was plywood and 2x4’s. But you should’ve seen him that day. He knew. He knew what he was apart of.
As for me, I found Jesus a few years ago, and was baptize in the summer of 2009. If it wasn’t for my Dad’s continuing faithfulness and commitment, and the love of this church, it is doubtful that I would be here today telling you his story.
I wonder who’s child will be telling a similar story, 45 years from now.
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