In this weeks Ministry Spotlight, get to know Deacons of Finance, Gordon and Marlene Horman. We as a church body are thankful for the stewardship and transparency the Hormans bring to our church finances. We asked the Hormans some questions to better know them as people. Keep reading to learn more about who they are and what they enjoy about serving in church finances.
Q: Tell us a little about who you are: We are Gordon and Marlene Horman (also known as Papa Gord and Gaga. We have three adult children and five grandchildren that we love with all our heart. We live on Camano Island and have been attending Roots Church since the fall of 2017.
Q: What initially drew you to ministry work? When we moved to Camano Island, we asked God to give us a Church body where we could serve. Our ministry began by Gordon setting up QuickBooks for Roots and evolved into helping with the offering. When Derek and Anlee came to us about coming on as Deacons of Finance we were able to share with them about a financial crisis we had endured 10 years prior in our business. God was so faithful to us during that time and it is a big part of our testimony. They assured us that it did not disqualify us from serving in this ministry. We have been grateful to be able to be serving in this ministry.
Q: How do you see your role contributing to the larger mission of the church or ministry? For Kingdom ministry to be effective, it is important to maintain financial stability and accountability. While waiting for Jesus to return, the body of Christ is to find unity and opportunities to love each other and serve each other. Everyone has gifted-ness to offer and even if we are not the most gifted, God promises to equip us for service to him.
Q: What are your biggest joys and rewards in your ministry work? Watching God provide financially over and over again for our body at Roots. As a church plant, we were given donations. A vision (desire) for our ministry now is to be able to give back to other ministries in the same way. The benevolence fund is a continual source of joy. You can’t out-give God and the more we give to others out of that account, the more He provides.
Q: What are some of the most challenging or rewarding experiences you’ve had in your ministry work? One of the most challenging times for Roots was when we were looking for space to rent in 2018. When the old Stanwood pawn shop became available, we went to look at it. It was such a mess and needed a ton of work. These challenges became one of the most rewarding times for our body. Working together to make it into a place of worship, brought unity and encouragement. From those challenges came the great reward of buying our building a few months ago. God had put that vision in the heart of his people and then he brought it to fruition.
Q: How has your ministry work shaped you personally? It’s built our faith. To see God’s provision is undeniable. He is faithful to continue to build our faith by watching him provide.
Q: How do you see the needs of your community and how do you tailor your ministry to address those needs? There are two community events that Roots sponsors: the Daddy Daughter Dance and the participation in Stanwood downtown trick-or-treating. Both give back to our community. We have also participated in the chili cook-off, hosted community car wash location and provided lay/pastoral counseling for our community.
Q: What is your guiding verse or prayer that helps you daily in your personal walk with God and your ministry role? “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:31-34
Q: What does your daily walk with God look like and how does that impact your ministry? Prayer together every morning sets our hearts to trust and seek him first. We value our marriage and commit to work to help others to value theirs.
It’s our hope that through serving as deacons, we will also show the way to bear fruit and to encourage more participation in the body and life of the church.
We as a church want to thank Gordon and Marlene for their service as deacons of finance. It is a quiet role that assists the pastors of roots in the oversight and management of the church’s financial resources. This includes overseeing income (of tithes, offerings, and donations) and expenditures (including salaries, utilities, and ministry expenses). Their work under the direction of the pastors of Roots has been faithful and wise. Please join us in praying for Gordon and Marlene as they continue to serve in their roles at Roots: that they may continue to steward the church’s financial resources according to biblical principles, supporting the church mission, and maintaining transparency and accountability. Let’s pray together for the team they enlist to count tithes each Sunday: that all will flourish in financial acumen, organizational skills and a deep understanding of the church’s ministry goals. Thank you Lord for the Hormans!