I’ve been cleaning out my office because we’re getting ready to get rid of our modulars and get our building project started!!! That’s when I came across this picture.

Most of you at Community won’t recognize this person in the picture, but he was one of the founders of our church back in 1981.

Jim Shockney was part of a group of 30-40 original members that set out to reach young people in our Valley. His vision and faithfulness over the first several years of our existence helped pave the way for us to experience what’s happening today.

As one of our elders, Jim was a true encourager to me when I moved from Youth Pastor to Pastor in 1990. Those were not easy times, given the circumstances, but Jim was a class act. He, and others like him, were giant sources of encouragement and strength for our whole church family.

Jim and Helen Shockney moved from our area back in the 90’s so Helen could be in a place where they could take better care of her back in Illinois. However, before Jim went on to his reward in Heaven, Jim was able to see our worship center. With tears he told me how much he had longed to see the day when we would see the results we’re now seeing.

Thank you Jim. It’s on the shoulders of people like you that we are able to see and do the things we’re getting to experience today.

Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:7 NIV)