Page 9 - Mr Goheen and Me

media campaigns as well as creating and editing A Christmas Digest magazine, an evangelistic tool used by churches throughout North America to touch lives for Christ during the Christmas season. None of this would have happened were it not for Ross Goheen reaching out with the love of Jesus to me and our family.
On a personal note, through the process of relocation I met my wife Kim, my life partner now of 40 years. Together we travelled on a mission trip to the Amazon showing the Jesus film to thousands of people. We raised four beautiful children, travelling a difficult journey with our daughter Christine who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007. Our faith, and Christine’s faith in the Lord took us through so many battles, including the ultimate one when she passed away June 13, 2019. I don’t know how we could have made it through that ordeal without the Lord and the confident hope of heaven. As for my cantankerous, cynical father, I was able to lead him to Christ in 1983. He passed away two years later. None of that would have happened if I hadn’t entrusted my life to Christ. I would not have had that hope, comfort or joy. I thank God for the man who was instrumental in leading me to that faith: Ross Goheen.
A few weeks ago on July 17, my church, which meets in a school, decided to hold its first ever outdoor service at the athletic field adjacent to the school. Everyone sat on lawn chairs—out on the ball diamond—can you believe it?
I immediately thought of my Streetsville days. I thought of Mr. Goheen, the park services, and everything he did to introduce me to the Lord. I had no idea he had passed away just days before. When the speaker invited testimonies from the audience, I stood to share my story. I don’t believe me being at the ball diamond service and thinking of him was a coincidence. He was cheering me on. So, in homage to his “Athlete of the Week” column and to honour his life I would like to close this tribute in Ross Goheen style.