Über Christ Followers – Part 14 – Bob Coy

Fourteen years ago this week I walked into a church service at Calvary Chapel of Ft. Lauderdale for my first time. It was the most casual church environment I had ever been in to date. Shorts, flip-flops, and pony tails were the norm.

For men.

There was a buzz. I usually get to a new church early so I can wander around and explore before the crowd gets there. Everybody seemed to have the same idea. The place was full a half-hour before worship started and every empty seat I came across was saved. [That’s funny: the seats were even saved at this church… ba-dumpdump]

The music was incredible. Some balding guy with long hair led worship. Very hip looking, I thought. In 1992, anyway.

And then this short, skinny guy walked up the center aisle and walked behind the cross shaped pulpit. This must be the pastor’s son, I thought. Where’s your dad, pal?

But it was Pastor Bob. And he opened his Bible and began to explain it and tell me how it applies. It was that simple. And then it was over.

I’m like, you forgot the offering.

And my life has never been the same.

I started Bible College there the next year. The following year, I went on staff as a ministry assistant. A couple of years after that, I went off to Washington to plant a church. I stayed up there a couple of years and came back to Florida to help a fellow staffer, Dan Plourde, to start a Calvary Chapel in Jupiter, Florida.

Bob Coy taught me to love God’s Word and to teach it simply. Teach it so children can understand it. Don’t try to impress the brainy. Don’t try to impress anyone but Jesus.

Pastor Bob has encouraged me as a student and has taken me to the woodshed as a wayward son. Everything he did for me as a pastor and mentor were lessons I’ve never forgotten and has laid the foundation for my service as an assisting pastor at Calvary Chapel Jupiter. He challenged me to grow through obedience, prayer, and fasting. He never laid any sales techniques or business styles on me.

“Bryon, just do what Jesus does.”

He taught me that all God needs is a heart and a life that’s available. He’ll do the rest.

Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness. --1 Tim 6:20, 21