MOLLY HALTER Pastor, wife helped me on my path

Our church's new pastor and his wife, Bill and Vail Jackson, were catalysts in my young adult faith walk.
Until that time, I was happy and content with my life as a Christian. Now, through his sermons, her Bible studies, and their retreats, I profoundly sensed a deeper call to a spiritual life in Christ Jesus that I had not known existed.
One Sunday morning, there at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Boardman, his sermon text was from Isaiah 6:1-8, about the call of God upon Isaiah as he worshipped in the temple. Hearing how the angel placed a burning coal on Isaiah's lips as God's symbol of purifying forgiveness riveted me; I thought it was being spoken to me alone. Feeling completely unworthy but called as Isaiah was, from deep inside an earnest prayer sprang to my lips, "Here am I, Lord, send me!"
Instantly, it seemed as if an angel sprang off the page of biblical history with a burning coal and placed it inside my heart. I did not know if God would send me anywhere. I only knew inside that I was changed, that God in Jesus Christ was real, was love, and that he loved and called me to his service.
Active in group
At the time I was active in Presbyterian Women (called the Woman's Association then) and was concerned about the lack of interest by many. One night as I lay in bed on my back thinking about it, I felt the urge to roll over on my stomach to pray. When I did, I put my hands together and said, "if there's anything you want me to do for the Woman's Association, Lord, I'll do it." Then I dropped my head down in the pillow and fell into a sound sleep.
The next day, almost as if the Lord were saying, "I'm so glad you finally asked." I received a phone call from Joanne Allen, a good friend who served on the association's nominating committee.
She said, "Hi, Molly. I am sitting here with the committee, and we have been in prayer about who should be our next president of the association. We have been considering several people, but we are sincere, Molly, when we say that we truly believe the Lord wants it to be you."
Stunned, I told her that I wanted to pray about it and talk to my husband, Bill, and that I would call her back. I hung up.
My husband, who is not keen on joining and volunteering, looked up from the paper and asked, "Who was that on the phone?"
I told him who and what. He was silent for a minute, then said in a serious tone, "You should do that, Molly. You have more talent than you know."
Accepted
I was floored, truly. After prayer, reflection, and sharing with Bill, I returned Joanne's call with an affirmative answer.
These faith signposts that came to me as a young adult served to give my life a deep sense of divine identity and purpose; they built upon the past and set the groundwork for the amazing, wonderful life of Christian friends and service that followed.
XMolly Halter of North Lima is a sacred storyteller. The Rev. William Jackson, who is the interim pastor at Sewickley Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, will attend Westminster Presbyterian Church in Boardman on Sunday. Copies of his new book, "More than a Wish," a compilation of his sermons and poems, will be available after the 10:30 a.m. service.