The Village Chapel of Pinehurst Jim or Jimmy, as I like to call him, has become a great friend of mine. He is about 64 and semi-retired or fully retired, I don't know which, but, he has the energy of several men and never stops working and planning and serving. In the middle of our planning around August or so, Jimmy shared with me something like this; "Bill, you know I'm gonna come outa the closet in this community. I can't sit around anymore and play in the world. I have to become more intentional about my life in the Lord. I'm just gonna do it!"
This profession endeared me to this man as I could feel his heart turning closer and closer to the Lord. As I've said many times over the past several months. "If that is all we get out of this effort, a testimony similar to that, then all of it is worth it." What a blessing.
Jimmy was, without question, the glue that connected all of the efforts of Open Doors together. From his position as the Chairman of the Board, he committed the Chapel to having its doors open with free access to all visitors during the two plus weeks of the U.S. Opens. Jimmy was the one that convinced the pastors, the Board, the congregation, the Village community, the Village administration and leaders to include the Chapel in all of the planning and activities conducted throughout June and, even, before. Jimmy immediately saw how this was an opportunity to open the doors of the Chapel to all, but, also, identified the local charities the Chapel should financially support from the proceeds garnered from renting space, selling parking spaces and renting out several of the resources of the Chapel.
But, that is not what Jim's heart was all about. He shared with me during one of our many times discussing our activities before and during the Opens that the genesis of this open door event came from the fact that he thought it inappropriate for the church not to be open and welcoming to all when the golfing world was focusing on the Village of Pinehurst. He shared how during the 2005 Open the Chapel was open, but, only for any that may want to visit and worship. He and a group of local men decided that there needed to be a greater presence and focus on the Chapel during this historic event.
And, was there ever a presence! If you've ever seen this incredible building and the grounds around it, you must have been very impressed. In fact, during the telecast of both the Men’s and Women’s Open there were several references and, even, a couple of special segments shown of coverage of the Chapel, the history and the “heart-beat” of the Village associated with the playing of the chimes throughout the day. It was incredibly interesting how the references to the chimes continued to bring attention to the spiritual heart of the Village of Pinehurst as the chapel chimes could be heard wafting over the play on Pinehurst #2. It was stunning, honestly.
Well, Jimmy Schneider was key to that scenarios as well.
Read more ... "Day #1 Continues .... "
This profession endeared me to this man as I could feel his heart turning closer and closer to the Lord. As I've said many times over the past several months. "If that is all we get out of this effort, a testimony similar to that, then all of it is worth it." What a blessing.
Jimmy was, without question, the glue that connected all of the efforts of Open Doors together. From his position as the Chairman of the Board, he committed the Chapel to having its doors open with free access to all visitors during the two plus weeks of the U.S. Opens. Jimmy was the one that convinced the pastors, the Board, the congregation, the Village community, the Village administration and leaders to include the Chapel in all of the planning and activities conducted throughout June and, even, before. Jimmy immediately saw how this was an opportunity to open the doors of the Chapel to all, but, also, identified the local charities the Chapel should financially support from the proceeds garnered from renting space, selling parking spaces and renting out several of the resources of the Chapel.
But, that is not what Jim's heart was all about. He shared with me during one of our many times discussing our activities before and during the Opens that the genesis of this open door event came from the fact that he thought it inappropriate for the church not to be open and welcoming to all when the golfing world was focusing on the Village of Pinehurst. He shared how during the 2005 Open the Chapel was open, but, only for any that may want to visit and worship. He and a group of local men decided that there needed to be a greater presence and focus on the Chapel during this historic event.
And, was there ever a presence! If you've ever seen this incredible building and the grounds around it, you must have been very impressed. In fact, during the telecast of both the Men’s and Women’s Open there were several references and, even, a couple of special segments shown of coverage of the Chapel, the history and the “heart-beat” of the Village associated with the playing of the chimes throughout the day. It was incredibly interesting how the references to the chimes continued to bring attention to the spiritual heart of the Village of Pinehurst as the chapel chimes could be heard wafting over the play on Pinehurst #2. It was stunning, honestly.
Well, Jimmy Schneider was key to that scenarios as well.
Read more ... "Day #1 Continues .... "
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