Preacher’s Kids
Bob & Sharon Reynolds Family
4/07
People sometimes hold preacher’s kids to higher standards. However, they are
born as sinners, too, and need God’s grace for salvation. They are also free to
choose their response to God. Bob and Sharon Reynolds, both preachers’ kids,
chose to receive salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ and to continue following Him
through the power of His Spirit.
Background:
Sharon grew up in a pastor’s family in Stockton, Missouri. She says, “I was
pretty much raised in the church and remember coming to Christ when I was just a
child. I don’t remember exactly when. I remember that every time I would feel like
I needed to go forward in church, revivals, evangelistic meetings and stuff, I would
pray at the altar. A few years later, I learned just by studying God’s Word that He
wanted to have a specific relationship with me. As I got older and became more
involved in ministry in the church, He became more real to me as well. I don’t
remember ever a time when I was rebellious or went off the deep end or
anything…I pretty much stayed in the church. But as far as God’s relationship with
me, that’s become deeper over the years.”
Bob was born in West Virginia. When he was five years old, his dad moved the
family to Fort Scott, Kansas, to put all of his children in Bible School. Attending
Christian school for twelve years, Bob says, “I was pretty much in Bible school my
entire life where you get saved and re-saved many times. Getting saved was more
in depth when I was just getting ready to start junior high. Later, I went to ‘JUCO’
(Johnson County Junior College) for a couple years, Pittsburg State for one
semester, and finished at Kansas City College and Bible School (KCCBS). During
those years I was active in traveling in a male quartet recruiting for the school.”
“I don’t have any exciting stories.” He continues, “I was a sinner just like
anyone else. I mean I did things I shouldn’t have--never drugs and alcohol, or any
of that stuff. I wasn’t perfect, but God saved me.”
Meeting, Marrying, and Moving —Making a life together:
Bob and Sharon met at KCCBS where she attended for one year. Sharon then
transferred to nursing school in Denver, Colorado. Shortly thereafter, Bob
graduated and moved to Denver where they married. For five years, they lived in
Denver and then moved to Kansas City in 1978. In 1979, they purchased their
home in Olathe where they still live. For thirteen years, Bob was the worship leader
for a little church in Kansas City, KS. Despite the traveling involved, Sharon says,
“Those were good years. I think the biggest learning experience was that all
churches have their challenges, but we have found ministry to be very rewarding,
and not at all…uh…”
“…stressful. Really!” Bob completes the thought, and Sharon agrees. Bob
continues, “But we have always been very blessed being involved in ministry, let’s
see, for all of probably 25 years.”
Three children—Natasha 26, Shauna 22, and Jordan 18, (current ages)--were
born in 1978-1991, when Bob and Sharon ministered in that Kansas City church.
They enjoyed that ministry but decided to attend a local church so their children
might get more involved. After visiting several churches, they became part of a
Bible study with about twenty people who all saw the need for an Olathe church
that was foremost a worship center. About a year later, Cornerstone Community
Church (CCC) was born.
CCC grows and merges with Life Church:
Serving in this local church became a family event, since it was the first time
their children were involved in a church in their community. Sharon says, “That’s
where the kids really gave their hearts to the Lord. They became involved in
church ministry—it became a way of life, a calling for them.”
A series of events led Cornerstone to merge with Life Church in September 2003.
“A lot of people thought we were all crazy to merge the two churches,” Bob says,
“but from the start, God has blessed the putting together of two entities, and all of
a sudden they became a much stronger force. The Lord just seemed to smile on it
and bless it. God is sovereign, and his purpose will never be messed up. I believe
Life Church has such an awesome team, and the Lord has blessed Pastor Clint in
choosing people to get involved with that team.”
Current Involvement with Life Church:
Both Bob and Sharon are involved with Canvas ministry and the Care/Prayer
Team. Also, Sharon is with the women’s ministry, hospitality, and coordinates a
deaf ministry while Bob is on the church board and with the Real Men Cook Life
group. Jordan participates in Vertical, is a nursery helper, and on the Grounds team
with his dad; Shauna enjoys Canvas and Reflection, is a Kairos intern, a Vertical
group leader, and a kid’s church leader; and Natasha is a leader in Canvas.
Sharon says, “It’s really been fun to watch the kids kind of grow into their own in
ministry. We have seen the influence of a healthy church and godly mentors in their
lives. Above all, we have so enjoyed seeing God work in their lives.”
Bob emphasizes the strengths of Life Church, which are servant hood and
relationship with God and others. He concludes, “We are constantly amazed at how
God works through our Pastoral Team.”
Bob and Sharon together affirm, “We love watching people come to salvation
and get baptized. Watching these people then build relationships and start serving
others just adds to our joy. We serve such a wonderful, faithful God!”