When I first attended Second Reformed Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, I did so without an understanding of the theological background of the RPCNA.

Words like Reformed, confessional, and Westminster were foreign to me. The draw to the church was the families: people who loved the gospel and each other. Additionally, the church had a stability that seemed to reflect eternal truths.

The saints at Second RPC have been instrumental to God’s work in my life. One of the members invited me to a conference where the Lord’s salvation pricked my heart clearly for the first time. After that, the congregation has loved me through opportunities to develop my faith, not only by learning a cappella psalmody, but by learning to work heartily, enjoy the outdoors, and lead others to the Lord.

“I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). As I look back, the Lord has been faithful to provide continuous lessons from people in my life. Here are a few vignettes.

You Are Next—Dr. Blackwood

It was an average Lord’s Day at Second RPC. I sat on the center left side, which is near Dr. Blackwood’s usual seat. He delivered a psalm explanation where he spoke of how the stars were the basis upon which he navigated an entire ship in the navy and how God’s wonderful design is evident through these celestial creations (Ps. 8).

After the service, I greeted Dr. Blackwood, and I remarked to him how much I appreciated his explanation. He told me a few stories from his younger years and how God guided him and shaped him. At the conclusion of the conversation, he left me with, “You are next.” I found the statement challenging. I sensed no calling to the pastorate, but I found the comment forward-thinking on Dr. Blackwood’s part.

Pounded or Tapped—Dan Cutter

Dan Cutter is a rural Indiana native who, by God’s leading, ended up completely renovating a home and running a construction business in Indianapolis. He is known for his shrewdness and thriftiness: he possesses an eagle eye for real estate and for finding deals on bikes for his church family. His hunting skill is such that international RPs have flown in to learn to hunt from him.

For several years, he hired me to paint and tile, to hang drywall, and to clear scorching hot roofs. None of those skills was mine prior to employment, so I had to learn the processes step by step.

One day we were expanding offices in a warehouse. Mr. Cutter corrected my hammering technique. It was something quite simple. But, being young, unconfident, and unable to appreciate constructive criticism, I cried. Dan calmly drew on his experience mentoring young workers. He exclaimed, “Sometimes it takes a big correction, as if reality pounds the person, to teach one to learn, like Nathan had to do with David. For others, it is a gradual tapping to guide the person. I think you are one who responds better to tapping.”

Cycling Contemplation and Self-Control—David Pulliam

David Pulliam is a thoughtful teacher and philosopher. I remember David, Rev. Rich Johnston, and I having lunch meetings to discuss the needs of the high schoolers at Second RPC.

David also engages people outside of table conversation with cycling tours of Indy. On a bike, David has the ability to hover closely by you. At just inches away, he can be rolling at 25 mph and still keep a deep conversation.

Beyond the many lessons I have learned from David about perseverance, peace, and patience, one particular memory stands out. David has been a counselor for many years at Great Lakes–Gulf Presbytery’s winter youth camp. High schoolers have their concerns, and high on the differential is who and how to date. One particular year, his high school sophomores asked stereotypical questions about relationships, but David took the discussion to a higher level. He answered the relationship questions with a long and well-thought-out exhortation to self-control.

The sophomores were dumbfounded and said, “Yes, self-control, but what about relationships?” We were not making the connection. Growing in the fruit of the spirit, including self-control, is essential to good relationships.

Man to Man—Rich Johnston

Pastor Rich Johnston is an industrial arts teacher turned pastor (now retired) whose man-to-man lunch meetings will stick with me for as long as my memory serves me well. I think of all the times he and his wife, Beckie, have spent talking me through life changes.

One of my favorite learning experiences from Rich was working together for several years managing Summer Work Crew—a landscaping projects team that pairs youth with students with developmental disabilities.

Rich taught me that theology does not merely extend to enlightened intellectuals with the heady usage of big words such as justification and Reformed (though these are splendid, descriptive words), but to the depths of the soul, which causes one to look at others with compassion and care. The Lord has placed us with the ability to relate the truth of the gospel and the blessings of the Christian to live man-to-man and person-to-person.

Run the Race—James Faris

I was in a funk. The rigors of pre-medical/dental studies and a research fellowship had pushed me to adopt a low-sleep, long-hour lifestyle. Amid the wreckage, I had lost my running outlet. I was greatly discouraged.

Returning to Indianapolis on fall break, I tepidly attended a game night with some of the college and career-age folks. There, a friend asked if I would run a marathon with him and Pastor James Faris. I knew it would be another commitment on my calendar, but I was itching to get back to the roads. I was surprised that it ended up being far less time away from vital areas of life, because running with James Faris is exercise with prayer, meditation, neighbor greetings, and discussions on just about everything. We talked about the needs of the church, the needs of the community, and the needs of us as people. Running the marathon ended up being one of the biggest surprises of my life: a dedicated time to pray for the church and think on the race of life as the Lord calls.

Glory of God—Donald Cassell

Donald Cassell is one of a kind. He is an architect who transitioned to become a think tank fellow. Rather than designing buildings, he dreams of nation building in his home country of Liberia.

Once when I was picking up Donald at the airport, I had one of my English as a Second Language (ESL) students with me. We welcomed Donald back from Liberia and heard the latest scoop from his trip. After we dropped Donald off, my ESL student said, “I have never met someone like that.” Indeed. There are few individuals with whom I have found it natural to discuss the war on poverty, racial tensions, Keynesian economics, The Lord of the Rings, and Christian character all in one conversation. Donald has consistently sought to meet me for book studies, dinner, and meetings. He challenges me to think bigger: “Have the glory of God so ingrained in your mind that you see above these earthy things.”

Humility over Ego—Dr. Jeff Platt

Dr. Platt is an inspiration to me as a man of God, an elder at my church, and an eminent dental materials scholar. Dr. Platt teaches dental materials courses at Indiana University School of Dentistry. What sets him apart from other faculty is not his passion for describing the differences in natural tooth-biting force compared to dentures, but rather his humility in teaching. When a question on Dr. Platt’s exam has a flaw in wording or miskeyed answers, Dr. Platt’s response is remarkably simple: he will notify the class and provide credit. This response differs from that of many faculty. It is not uncommon to find faculty who put ego first and refuse to give credit when the question is faulty. Dr. Platt’s humility over ego is a reminder to me of Proverbs 11:2, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”

A Ministry Team—Dr. Betty and Donn Treese

Dr. Betty and Donn Treese are motivators to ministry. They collaborate to bring people into their home for authentic Indian and Nepalese foods. Skillfully, they enlist other people to drive students and coordinate opportunities to serve. At an age when some would retire to warmer climates, they ride a tandem bike around downtown Indianapolis and think of questions for discussion at movie nights. I have enjoyed having them in my small group because they enrich our understanding of the effort to develop a ministry team.

Faithful Stewards—Dean Filson

Dean is someone who has served without big recognition as assistant to the pastors for many years at Second RPC. His presence can be so calm and unassuming. In fact, elderly folks in the congregation have trouble hearing his soft-toned voice from time to time.

He has carefully looked over the nearly century-old building with an eye for detail. For four years, I have lived in the church building with a firsthand experience of his ability to watch after the needs of the church by maintaining a place where people want to meet. Dean is someone who learned to serve the Lord in quiet ways: plunging the toilets long after everyone left, taking care of the alarm system when it goes off in the night, and checking that the light bulbs were replaced.

Dean reminds me that the diligent steward is faithful beyond what man can see.

The love of Christ exemplified by these saints has urged me forward, through lives that point heavenward. There are numerous others that I lack the space to name. As I think back to when I first attended Second RP Church, it is amazing to reflect on what Paul wrote about the church: “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Eph. 2:19).

Patrick Mangan is in his fourth year of dental school. He is a member of Second (Indianapolis, Ind.) RPC and is a resident in the building.