I don’t know if I can adequately express what this man (Kirk Horton) has meant to me. Although he is only 6 years older than me, he was like a father in my life.
It was watching him walk out his life with Jesus that caused me to believe I could do it too. He was honest, authentic, vulnerable. He encouraged, challenged and prayed for me. He believed in me more than I believed in myself.
He was my Pastor first. I had been a member of Well of Life Church for 9 years when he asked me to consider being the church’s secretary. I said “yes”. That was almost 25 years ago. I worked alongside him 5 days a week until the last few years when he started taking one day off a week. Then he would not come in as often or stay as long. I knew there might come a day that he would turn things over to someone else. I even thought we might “retire” at the same time but I was not prepared for a complete exit!
Pastor Kirk died last Friday. I saw him on Thursday. He did usually come into the office on Thursdays because a group of pastors pray at the office every Thursday. The family says he had a great day Thursday. He prayed with the pastors. He played golf with his family. He evidently had a heart attack sometime after 6.
Kennedy and Korin had spent the night. Vanessa and Kashton had gone to where Keannon was writing claims for storm damage. Kennedy had a babysitting job 7:30am-3pm on Friday and Korin had a friend's birthday party.
Karen (Kirk's wife) called Doyle at 6:50am. It woke us both up. I hear some of the conversation but not all. After the call, Doyle tells me it was Karen and that paramedics were doing CPR but that Jack (a member of our church) was gone. I start praying for his wife Amy. I go wake up Kennedy. I take her to where she's supposed to be for the day. I get almost home when Doyle calls me to see how close I am. When I get home I come in the house and he meets me then walks to the kitchen indicating I follow him as Korin is still asleep in the living room.
I figure he is going to give me more details regarding Jack. Once we're in the kitchen he has the strangest look on his face. He says "I don't know how I heard what Karen said wrong but it's not Jack, it's Kirk." I am in shock and disbelief. "No, it can't be him!"
As I try to process the news I realize I need to tell Vanessa. Doyle gets a call. I try to call Vanessa and get voicemail. I learn later she called Doyle because she heard the news already. I still need to feed Fancy and get to the office to make more calls. Vanessa arranges for a friend to pickup Korin and get Kennedy later.
The other Elder comes to the office and between he, Doyle and I, we begin the task of calling members as well as different ministry leaders we are connected to. Word is spreading faster than a wild fire as we are scrambling to get people contacted before it appears on social media or they hear from another source. Unfortunately we were not successful in that endeavor with everyone.
One of our worship leaders and husband opened the church on Friday and Saturday offering a place to worship and pray.
Sunday was our first service without Kirk. Doyle brought the message and I led worship. We had a full house! Another small congregation joined us, the one that Well of Life was birthed out of 35 years ago. several other people from out of town came as well.
Not only was Kirk pastor of a church, he was a prominent community leader. He was an investor in the Crazy Water Hotel, part owner of Eventide Water Company and owner of the local golf course. He also served on many boards. He was board president and one of the founders of Community Christian School (our local private school).
He has money but he never acted like it. He was very down to earth and generous.
I didn't think I had any pictures of us together but a friend from church sent me this one. He was praying for me. I think this was taken in 2023.
Have a good one.
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