October is pastor appreciation month. I want to take this post to express my thanks and appreciation for some of the pastors I have had in my life.

The best order I can think to use is simply chronologically. These pastors have touched my life in various ways from counseling to encouragement and just knowing that they were praying for me. These are the pastors and the churches they were serving when I met them.

Rev. Joe Pearce – Massillon
Rev. Wheeler – Bergholz
Rev. Watson – Wadsworth
Rev. Dave Aldridge – Columbiana
Rev. Ed Spangler & Rev. Ed Morrison – Akron Arlington
Rev. Bowles – Chester
Rev. Monte Nabors – Warr Acres
Rev. Wayne Stark – Oklahoma City First Indian (where I preached my very first sermons)
Rev. Gary Smith – Coraopolis
Johanna Riese – McDonald (my first local minister’s license, and where I first served as youth pastor)
Rev. Jeff Kramer – Atlasburg (Jeff taught me the importance of visiting with shut-ins)
Dr. Steve Green, Rev. Mike Platter, Rev. Jason Smith, Rev. Jon Middendorf, Rev. Chuck Mosley, Rev. Lisa Sanders, Rev. Jim Priest – Oklahoma City First (These pastors, and this church, hold a special place in my heart. They were there for my family during one of the worst ordeals we have gone through.)
Clifford Thirion – Oklahoma City Crown Heights (first place I served as worship leader)

Though he was not my pastor, I also appreciate Rev. Steve Diehl for his constant encouragement and prayer during my time at Crown Heights. Even in retirement he has a pastor’s heart.

Finally, this list is not complete without my father, Rev. David Hamman. He was officially my pastor at Bethesda Nazarene church. Even as my dad, and though I didn’t really see him as my pastor, (to me he’s simply always been Dad), I see the pastor in him, and the pastoral care he provides to those who need it.