Last night’s large group meeting was a great
experience. We were able to join
together with several faculty wives, Dr. Con Campbell, and Lanese Dockery, wife
of TIU president, Dr. David Dockery.
Interview with Mrs. Lanese Dockery
 |
| Courtesy of the TIU Website |
The event kicked off with an interview with Mrs.
Dockery. She candidly shared about her
background and journey as the wife to a man who’s been a leader in both
pastoral and academic ministry. A native
from the South, she grew up in a tight-knit, family-oriented neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama during the Civil Rights era (she saw MLK’s march down 3rd
avenue from her back yard!). While the
Dockerys’ journey to Trinity is well documented on the Trinity International University webpage
regarding the president, but it was truly a blessing to hear about some
poignant parts of Mrs. Dockery’s history.
During the years spent at seminary in Texas (where President
Dockery obtained another graduate-level degree!), Mrs. Dockery and her husband gave
birth to three boys – none of them more than 15 months apart in age. During what was an all-consuming time of
mothering three children age two and under, the community of wives brought
blessing upon her family. One wife,
Margaret (Tom) Nettles, donated a baby bed.
Another faculty wife who Mrs. Dockery didn’t even know brought her a
meal. The student wives would care for
each other’s kids, arrange play dates, share their stories with one another,
and come to the conclusions of what God had in store for them.
Another important story caused our TWF community to take
pause. After being asked what verses
were important to her, Mrs. Dockery referred to Proverbs 3:5-6, and she gave us
an incredibly powerful testimony as to why this verse was one she held on
to. Mrs. Dockery’s father tragically lost his life just over 20 years ago. Her father always started his evening prayer
with “kind, heavenly Father,” and it was during this horrible circumstance that
Mrs. Dockery needed to find how God would show his kindness in such a dark time. She clang to this verse while seeking the
good that could come out of this, and she was able to minister to others who
had lost loved ones in tragic ways as well. Mrs.
Dockery expressed that God had to work this for his good, and she has been able
to see that happen.
In the end, Mrs. Dockery gave us an exhortation that we
seminary wives can’t pass up:
“Create
a history outside of your own family. Share your stories with one another – they
are important! Listen and make yourselves available for each other. Take time for one another, and have some fun!”
Dr. Con Campbell’s talk on Hebrews 10:19-25
Our theme verse this year is Hebrews 10:23-25, which we were able to learn more about last night. There were so many great insights that Dr. Campbell shared
from this part of scripture that I will share some brief highlights:
From v. 19 – we are to boldly encounter the Father, because we can now enter the sanctuary where He resides, the Most Holy Place, where only the Levitical high priest could enter before Jesus Christ came to open the curtain for us.
From v. 20 – Now we all have access to the Holy of Holies, and it’s through the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ flesh is the curtain that opens for us to enter into God’s presence.
From v. 21 – Jesus supersedes the Levitical high priest. As our priest, he mediates God to us and us to God. It’s Jesus who is our full assurance of faith.
With that being true – Jesus being our full assurance of
faith – there are three implications/exhortations that come to us from the next
three verses:
From v. 22 – Because we are in the full assurance of faith, we never go in and out of God’s presence. We are there, eternally, in the immediate presence of God. Jesus, our true worship pastor, shows us how to be with God and come to him no matter where we’re at. Since we are always in his presence, we should strive to always live in a way that is worshipful to Him. Draw near to Him in full assurance of faith!
From v. 23 – Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering. Focusing on the word confession, we see that it’s the Gospel message. Sometimes we may be tempted to think, “Where is God in all of this?” It’s at that time in particular where we need to hold on Him. The confession mentioned here is not an experience – it’s a truth, and we hold on to that truth because He who promised is faithful to us even when we’re unfaithful to him.
v. 24 & 25 – Consider one another. Be proactive. Consider, think, and reflect on the needs around you. Keep in mind that the focus here is on consideration and not on love or good deeds. When you consider the needs of others, don’t hold back from serving them! Get in there, wherever you are, and be the solution to the needs found around you! Why do this? Because it’s what God desires for us, and because we only have so much time to be His witness!
Conclusion:
If you have full confidence that you are in the presence of
God, you have full access to what you need in ministry.
So what did you think of the verses mentioned above? What thoughts, ideas, or responses did you
have while you were there last night?
Please share below, and please connect with us at twfcrowns@gmail.com to share YOUR story and
consider how others can truly be blessed by it!
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