Hommel Mangas
I’ve been thinking about heaven a lot lately.
Maybe it was reflecting and celebrating another annual journey around the sun.
Maybe it was the passing of my Aunt Joan with her infectious laugh and her joy-bringing musical talent on the piano and accordian.
Maybe it was the passing of our first pastor as a young married couple. Dr. Reggie Epps was the dynamic young pastor from 1991-2001 at Mt. Pleasant Christian Church when Steve and I were both young Christians and starting our family. It’s funny to think how one pastor and his godly wife, Shara, could dynamically influence our family’s legacy in only ten years. When Reggie and Shara were called back to their home state to lead Legacy Christian Church in Overland, Kansas, for the next 20 years, they continued to love God, their family and friends and the church ferociously.
I began my graduate studies at Cincinnati Bible College when encouraged by Pastor Reggie — he allowed this annoying young mom of two to ride with him and Pete Holmes, the associate pastor, every Monday to Cincinnati and back. Just listening in on their after-Sunday debriefing during the drive was a college class in church leadership, the friendship between men and how to love God.
Shara was the first person who ever prayed on the phone with me and because of her example, it seems so natural now. Shara was and is still a strong, quiet and calm leader. I once called her moments after receiving a call from a state senator who wanted to hire me to help run his next campaign for office. I was quite flattered and proud of the offer but was conflicted because I had 20-month-old Alex and was very pregnant with my second daughter, Chloe.
Shara simply pointed out that I had called her — a stay-at-home mom — and maybe I was just calling someone who would tell me if was okay if that was my choice.
In the 10 years they led Mt. Pleasant, I had the joy of starting and leading four different ministries. Steve and I grew under the teaching of God’s word and had loads of fun, whether it was Steve creating, painting and running the blacklight shows to illustrate Bible lessons for Vacation Bible School or buying and flying a huge remote-control aluminum blimp balloon in the sanctuary with 800 children singing praises to God.
It was fun and a joy to see our three daughters memorizing the Word of God and taking copious sermon notes in “big church.”
On July 9, we worshipped at Mt. Pleasant — where it continues to be faith-building and a joy under the great leadership of Pastor Chris Philbeck and elders. Then we traveled home and worshipped online, grieving Pastor Reggie’s passing with Legacy Christian Church.
During the worship service, they replayed one of Reggie’s sermons: “The Outcome of Faith.”
Reggie noted that when we grieve — and we need to grieve – that we may go through:
1) Shock
2) Emotional release
3) Depression
4) Anger and resentment
5) Reality — as we work through our grief, remembering our loved ones brings us hope and a new reality, Reggie said.
Reggie noted that he and his family has an appointed family meeting place in heaven — just inside the eastern gate, which gospel singers call “Hallelujah Square.” As crowded as it will be in heaven, there will be no problem finding your family.
In heaven there will be time to play a game, share a meal, listen and laugh, hold hands and go for a walk. We will praise Jesus. Heaven will be a great place — a place for great reunions — a place of peace.
Reggie summed it all up in his sermon.
“We long for the city that was not made by human hands — heaven,” he said.
Janet Hommel Mangas grew up on the east side of Greenwood. The Center Grove area resident and her husband are the parents of three daughters. Send comments to [email protected].
