The disappearance of the Indiana University (IU) paddle had been a mystery for several years. Jenny, Dave Long’s beloved wife and ministry partner, described a memorable day on which the family had gathered to clean out his church office, sorting through his books, papers, and personal items. And they really wanted to find the paddle!

The wooden paddle had been crafted and presented years earlier—a painted “Go IU” on one side, and a “Whack PU” on the other. For a time, it hung prominently in Dave’s office and represented the playful spirit of a beloved father, pastor, mentor, and friend who served for nearly 32 years as pastor of the Lafayette RPC—a church located in “enemy territory” for such a devoted IU graduate and fan.

A tradition had developed around the paddle whereby, if Purdue University (PU) defeated IU in one of the classic rivalry football or basketball games, the Purdue students would hide it somewhere in Dave’s office. His children often searched for and found it at the conclusion of the Lord’s Day. Unofficial rules of engagement gradually developed, but there were times when students’ creativity presented an immensely challenging search. Dave relished the challenge.

It had been a couple of years since the paddle had been seen. Dave had searched high and low to no avail, but now the family was determined to find it. They knew of a hollow place in the wall between Dave’s office and the fireplace in the foyer, so oldest son and police detective, Dan, rigged up a way to drop his smartphone from near the ceiling into this hollow space, play a video with the phone light on, and see if the paddle was there. The family was wrought with anxiety as they watched Dan, perched precariously on a chair, complete this maneuver. But the paddle was not there! Thinking they had looked everywhere, they concluded that it was gone for good.

Other treasures found that day warmed their hearts. As Jenny explains, Dave was organized but not a saver. But when the top left drawer of his desk was opened they found a sheet of paper dated 1996, the year our church purchased and moved into the current building. The paper was titled, “LIFE OBJECTIVES for Dave Long.”

The family could hear his voice as they read the list. Jenny states the list brought clarity and has helped her understand why Dave made some of the decisions he did. It was obvious that the 20-year-old page had been placed prominently so that he saw and was guided by his life objectives.

The family understands this document to be a powerful testimony to his immense love and intense prayers for each of them. Anyone who walked into Dave’s office quickly saw the evidence of his love and care for his family in the pictures and memorabilia that demonstrated his pride as a husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather. He devoted his Mondays to family, being careful over the years to give them that day after his labors as a pastor each Lord’s Day. Now they have documents that are tangible reminders of his commitment and devotion.

Dave had filed every Bible study he had ever led. Many can remember the living rooms, the faces, and the times of fellowship centered in God’s Word that are embodied in those notebooks and folders. Many lives had been impacted by Dave’s skillful use of questions, and the memories of those studies are strong for many people who benefited over the years from Dave’s ministry.

Another file, labeled “Urbana ’76,” contained his notes from the missionary conference where Dave first “fell in love with the world,” as Jenny refers to his mission-mindedness. He was a junior at IU, and the conference changed his life. He memorized Matthew 9:36-38, began praying fervently for the lost, and committed himself to being a worker in the Lord’s harvest. His attendance at Urbana was not only life-changing but church-changing. The church benefited for decades because of his sense of call that year.

Not quite a week after the family’s emotional day of packing Dave’s office, a group of men were “camping out” at the Lafayette church with their families for the Faris Family Fest. Most of them had been mentored by Dave, and they were tasked with the job of distributing the books remaining in his library. When one of them removed a series of old cassette tape albums from a bottom shelf, what should fall out but the 20-inch “Go IU/ Whack PU” paddle! The Long family, its rightful owners, now have the treasured artifact in their possession.

The paddle is significant because it shows a glimpse of how much fun Dave was and how much he enjoyed people. The list of objectives demonstrates Dave’s devotion to his wife, children, and grandchildren. The treasure trove of Bible studies and the files of sermon manuscripts show how he pastored Lafayette RPC through faithful preaching and leadership. He will be remembered as one who deeply loved us and was available. Though at times his office door was closed, congregants and others knew that, if the door was open, he was willing to drop what he was doing to listen, offer counsel, laugh, empathize, ask questions, and pray.

Dave and Jenny mentored many students with a vision for discipling the nations. Many people in the RPCNA knew Dave through his decades of service in matters of the Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery and Synod. He traveled the world in service to Christ, encouraging and training pastors, missionaries, and believers young and old. When he and Jenny made a trip to Jordan to offer support and encouragement to the McCullough family, other missionaries there commented that they had never witnessed such an action taken by a pastor and session.

On returning from one of several trips to South Sudan, Dave brought a video that showed new converts joyfully burning their idols in a huge bonfire. His excitement in detailing what he had witnessed was contagious. A South Sudanese elder’s spear hangs prominently in the Longs’ living room and is an artifact befitting Dave’s life of service as a warrior for the kingdom of Christ. A favorite picture of Sudan’s Cush4Christ team shows Dave engaging in an “Olympic” event for spear distance throwing.

Dave would have been the first to explain what a privilege it was for him to sit in the homes of God’s people or walk with them on the streets of many nations where the Lord allowed him to visit. He journeyed to these places in order to preach, counsel, teach, train, and encourage the saints.

On the home front, Dave loved to promote others who had a vision and desire to serve long-term in places that are “the ends of the earth.” He often referred to the Lafayette church as a sending congregation, and when a person, couple, or family moved on to other places of service, he rejoiced in celebrating the privilege we had of supporting and praying for these dear brothers and sisters. Christ’s kingdom was advancing, and he urged all of us on in the great adventure of serving the victorious Christ. Whether in going, in giving financially, and/or in praying, we were all constantly reminded by this beloved pastor to be actively involved in the Great Commission at home or afar.

Dave Long’s life and ministry manifested the book of 2 Timothy. He “kindled afresh the gift of God” through the laying on of hands by elders, knowing that the Lord had not given him a “spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (1:6-7). He was appointed to preach the revealed Christ who had saved him and called him to a holy calling, and he urged others to join him in suffering for the gospel, knowing that the Lord would guard what had been entrusted to Him (1:8-12). Dave shared a vision with many other men that was grounded in the command found in 2 Timothy 2:2, and the RPCNA is rich from the fruit of such vision. We must pray for more such men!

Dave Long fought the good fight and has finished his course. The Lord has brought him “safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (2 Tim. 4:18).

Jerri Faris is a member of Lafayette RPC and a friend of Dave Long through his 31 years as pastor. Christy Nelson provided the photos.