Submitted by Stephen Fanning
Wilsall, Montana
The average tenure of a senior pastor at a single church is just 5 to 7 years. Many factors contribute to that statistic, but the reality is this: pastoral ministry is one of the most challenging vocations to remain in long-term. Far from only working an hour on Sundays, pastors work long hours throughout the week. Being on call 24/7 makes it difficult to maintain any kind of regular schedule. Routine hospital visits, counseling sessions with struggling couples, and walking families through grief weigh heavily on a pastor’s heart. The weekly responsibility of opening the Scriptures and proclaiming, “Thus says the Lord,” continually draws him back to the study—though that time is often interrupted. Above all, the constant awareness that he will one day give an account to Jesus for the souls under his care urges him to give more of his time, energy, and self to the flock he shepherds. Pastoring is hard work.
With that as the backdrop, allow me to honor my dad, Mike Fanning. The youngest child of longtime Sapulpa residents Jim and Marie Fanning (now both deceased), Mike moved his family back home to Sapulpa to accept the pastorate at Sapulpa Bible Church on June 18, 25 years ago.
Since then, he has served that congregation faithfully—preaching the Word, counseling individuals, making disciples, and pointing souls to Jesus.
Everyone who knows my dad knows that his greatest passion in life is sharing the good news of salvation with everyone he meets. And he speaks from experience. As a calf roper on the rodeo team at Panhandle State University, he was once living for self and sin. But God got ahold of his life and transformed him into a new man. It’s this personal encounter with grace that fuels his enthusiasm to tell others what is offered through Jesus.
Mike’s love for Jesus and passion for ministry rubbed off on me, and I now serve as the pastor of a rural church in Wilsall, Montana. I regularly call my dad for advice on ministry or sermon preparation, and his 25 years of faithful service have given me a legacy I aspire to follow. Years ago, he gave me his old copy of the Greek New Testament. Inside the front cover, he wrote a note that reveals both his love for Scripture and his love for me:
“Dear Stephen, I love you, son. I hope you will learn well for God’s glory and for the good of God’s people. God’s Word will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from God’s Word. May it always be the former. Love, Dad.”
Thank you for taking a moment to read this brief tribute to a long and Christ-exalting ministry. I hope it encourages you to thank your own pastor(s) for the tireless and difficult work they do on behalf of your soul. The Apostle Paul tells us that church leaders who lead well are worthy of double honor. I know my dad would want all the honor to go to Jesus—but Jesus, in turn, says of His people, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Thank you, Dad, for your service to Christ’s church. May God bless you with 25 more years of faithful ministry at Sapulpa Bible Church.
