Service

Service

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

2 Corinthians 9:13, NIV

P. Kenneth Gieser was a senior in high school. Ever since flunking fourth grade, he had struggled with his studies. He wanted very much to attend Wheaton College, but he wasn’t hopeful about his prospects of being accepted. Since his father had just died, his sister went to bat for him and literally begged the college to give her brother a chance. The result? He not only graduated from Wheaton College but ended up graduating from medical school and going on to China as a missionary doctor.

To Ken’s great disappointment, he became extremely ill in China and had to return home. His heart sank; he felt as though living in the United States was his “second best.” But what were some of his accomplishments in this “second best” period of his life? He founded the Christian Medical/Dental Society; founded the world-renowned Wheaton Eye Clinic; helped begin the Medical Assistance Program (MAP); served on the Board of Directors of Christianity Today, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, TEAM Missions, and InterVarsity; and founded the Missionary Furlough Homes. He even became chairman of the Board of Trustees at Wheaton College!

The night he died, he had been visiting a Christian wilderness camp in New York. His final acts of service were humble—helping the kitchen crew wash dishes and taking out the trash. His son, Dave, reflected, “He went to sleep that night under the stars in the mountains of New York and woke up in heaven!” Ken was a servant who was ready to meet his Savior. What an inspiration for us.

Father,

Thank you for your servants who are great examples to us. Thank you that you used a boy who once struggled in school to accomplish such wonderful things for your kingdom. May we serve you with all of our hearts. Amen.