The writers of the Hebrew Scriptures used the phrase “being gathered to one’s fathers” as an expression for death. Indeed, another of Mayfair’s spiritual giants, Lem Tipton, was gathered to his fathers over the weekend. I had the privilege of working on staff with Lem for the last few years of his career. Other than my grandfather, I’ve never known anyone who was compared to Jesus more often than Lem. Over the last six weeks, our church family watched as Lem faced what he knew were his final days with grace, dignity and peace. He was a true servant of the Lord and we will miss him dearly. I’m thankful to count him as a colleague, a friend, and a brother in Christ.

For those of you who never knew Lem, you can read this tribute on the Mayfair website.