MJ and I attended a retirement dinner for our Pastor, Rev. Kerry Bean. What a great guy! Kerry is unfailingly good-natured. He came to our church in 2019 and soon captured our imaginations with his wonderful humor. Kerry is an active listener. He sees you and hears you. This is a rare quality in preachers.

Kerry lives his faith, which speaks volumes. I have worked with pastors for over 50 years and have seen firsthand what challenges they face. I quickly discovered a tender heart in Pastor Kerry, letting me know our church would be fortunate to have him longer than a year or two.

Kerry is one of the most adaptable people I have seen in the clergy. He bound up the broken-hearted and preached peace to the captives. Or, simply, many were troubled and doubting their church and faith experiences. COVID-19 suprised the world in 2020 and changed our lives. Kerry exhibited creative thinking and led our little flock through what would have destroyed many congregations.

Pastor Kerry is a playwright. His productions are wonderful and have lifted and united many who needed both to occur. Kerry introduced his lovely family, and the smiles on their faces revealed how great a husband and father he must be.

So, we are the better for having been with Rev Bean for a season. We are stronger for the experience. Kerry is a servant leader, and there is no higher compliment.

Happy sails, Pastor Kerry, on the sea of life. Our boat is strong for your guidance.