We are the Body

I had never heard the term “quiet giant ” until my parents’ 50th anniversary par t y earlier this year. After my siblings and I shared fond memories with the crowd, we opened up the microphone for others to comment. An assortment of friends and family spoke, bringing a mixture of humor and nostalgia to the ceremonies. The one that really stood out for me was Charlie, a gentleman who volunteers with my parents at Andre House, a local soup kitchen.

A retired military man, Charlie seemed a bit gruff, yet his few tender words cut to the quick. He said there were two words to describe people like my parents: quiet giants. He mentioned their selfless focus on others – not just the poor and homeless, but also those who joined the volunteer team each week to help serve them. Not only have my parents labored diligently behind the scenes at Andre House for decades, but they’ve been involved with other volunteer work through the years, as well.

Living your life behind the scenes as a testimony to the Lord, as my parents have done, is what this Innovators issue is all about. It’s a topic that excited our staff to no end – and, we hope, will fire you up as well. Let me point out that we are in full support of our brothers and sisters who are in the spotlight for Christ. As our long-time readers know, we’ve included their stories in the magazine for years now. But there are also countless others who are laboring, virtually unrecognized, that have encouraging testimonies to share.

Focusing on people in a wide variety of ministries reminds me of the image of the Body of Christ in Ephesians 4:16, where are all of us are “joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share.” This, of course, “causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

We hope you enjoy this issue’s inspirational focus. And please, drop me a line and let me know which leaders you’d like us to include next time around; we’d love to share their stories.

God Bless, 

Karen Butler 
Group Editor 
kbutler@vpico.com