Community Bible Study

I met a man about six years ago who changed my life. His name was Don Peterson. I met him while participating in a men's Bible study at a friend's house. He was a big man, several years older, and from his knowledge of Scripture, apparently much wiser. That study lasted the better part of a year and he and I got to know each other well over the months. I used to tell my wife about him, about his soft-spoken confidence and humble demeanor. He was the ideal older man that I could look to as a mentor in my Christian walk.

We lost touch for a few years and I got involved in Community Bible Study at the Manasquan, NJ evening group. My wife, Dolores, had been a Children's Teacher and was the Children's Director at the time, and a constant encouragement for me to come to a study. After a while I was asked to be a part of the leadership and accepted as I felt the Lord was asking me to take a step of faith and rise to a new challenge. As the study progressed I would remark to my wife how great it would be if Don Peterson would be involved in CBS and what a wonderful addition to the leadership he would make. It wasn't but a few weeks later that the Lord answered that prayer and we were once again in a Bible study together. And not only that, but God in His goodness put us together as mentor and student. He was asked to be Teaching Director with me as his Associate Teaching Director.

On Monday evening, September 10^th, we started our third year and Don gave us an intro to the Book of Matthew . It was a wonderful first night and was attended by more than we had anticipated. At the end of his lecture he remarked that he was going on a short vacation and that I, as his ATD, would be taking over until Christmas-Meaning the second lesson of the Matthew study devoted to the birth of Christ, not literally three months from now. Such was his humor. But no one realized the extent of his prophetic words until the next day, Tuesday, September 11^th, a day that all America mourned the horrors of terrorism in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Don and his wife Jean were onboard Flight 93 headed for San Francisco when terrorists hijacked the plane and crashed it killing everyone.

Don would often remark that he knew the Lord had a special plan for him. We don't know for sure, but I'd be willing to bet that the Lord used him and Jean that morning to bring comfort and the Lord's assurance to the other passengers. They were the kind of people you would want nearby in just such a situation. I also know for sure that the Lord used Don to mentor not only me, but many other men who's faith had been strengthened and knowledge of Scripture broadened because of this loving man. He will be sorely missed on Monday night and for many other nights to come as we struggle to fill the void that these two Godly people have left.

In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 Paul writes, "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed." Paul showed that his difficulties did not cripple him, but actually strengthened him. While it may be difficult that first Monday night without my mentor, we will meet according to schedule. We will meet because the Lord used Don to show me, by his example, that our God will never forsake us and will give us the strength to carry on.

By Bill Dallas, ATD
Manasquan, NJ
Evening Class