I have been struggling for a couple of weeks now, wanting to write a tribute to a wonderful man I considered a mentor and friend.
In researching his life, I discovered that in his later years of ministry there was some controversy surrounding the consistency and the validity of his personal testimony and ministry. This is a side of Stan that I did not know, and it troubles me. I wonder if it was intentional or the result of the tricks our minds may play on us as we age. Still, it is for God, not us, to judge. In that spirit I have decided to speak only to my personal experience, and the impact he and his books had on my personal journey with the Lord.
I read Stan’s first book, Betrayed!, before I met him.
It was at a time when I wrestled with an inner conflict of my own, trying to reconcile my Jewish roots with my devotion to Christ Jesus and allow two sides of myself to coexist not just in harmony, but purposefully. When I read Betrayed! it was as if someone had flipped a switch and I was aligned with a fresh and balanced perspective. I made it a point to go and meet him when he was speaking at a nearby church during the Passover season that year.
At 80 something Stan had the fire, passion, and energy of a much younger man, and we talked for a bit after the service. He invited me to call him if I wanted to, and a few weeks later I did. I called him while working on a service I was to lead, and I wanted an English translation of the Mourner’s Kaddish. During that conversation, I suggested to Stan that he might want to consider attending a “Walk to Emmaus”, a weekend event where the community of faith demonstrates to the pilgrims (attendees) the amazing love that God has for them. We continued to discuss the walk from time to time, but Stan did not think it was something he needed to do.
Many months later, I received an email from Stan, saying that he hoped I was not offended, but he had chosen to attend Cursillo, another of the 3 day communities with common roots, after much discussion with a woman from another state that he was in contact with. I replied that I was absolutely not offended, and that I would like to speak with her to get the details of their weekend. When I called Naomi, we talked for a very long time about how we, and another friend of Stan’s from yet another state, had all felt the Spirit calling us to encourage Stan to take this Journey. Naomi and I, and the other woman whose name escapes me, all met for the serenade to the pilgrims on Stan’s Cursillo weekend. I will never forget the blessed expression on his face when he saw the three of us arm in arm singing to him.
Whatever mistakes he may have made, and whatever the reason, Stan Telchin was a minister in every sense of the word.
Whether or not he was formally ordained or had a piece of paper to say so, he was a disciple of Christ, who calls us all to minister to one another. He did much to educate the Christian Community about what it means to be Jewish and fostered unity between two disjointed communities within the body of Christ.
I captured the image above in my back yard last Saturday. It is truly amazing what you can see when you look up! I was, at the time, pondering about what I would write about Stan. That vision in the sky placed a calm in my spirit, and let me know that the words would come when the time was right. I have written what I must, and now I will say, “Farewell my friend, you will be missed.”
Blessings & Adventure,
Lynn “lynnibug” Rios
Mourner’s Kaddish
Exalted and honored by the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, whose glory transcends, yea, is beyond all blessings and hymns, praises and consolations which are uttered in the world; and say ye, Amen.
May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life for us and for all Israel; and say ye, Amen.
May He who establisheth peace in the heavens, grant peace unto us and unto all Israel; and say ye, Amen.
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When I was a volunteer chaplain at a correctional institute in Florida, I met a 54 year old Jewish inmate who was raised in Israel. We became friends and I gave him a copy of Stan’s book, “Betrayed”. We used to have friendly debates about our respective religions. He said that he didn’t believe that Jesus was the son of God. He said Jesus was an apostle and healer, but a really good one. As time went on, he asked me for a Catholic Bible since it was converted from the Greek language and he was familiar with Greek. The more he read, the more questions he had. One day, when I stopped by his dorm, he said, “Chap I am so glad you came. I wrote Stan Telchin and he answered me. He told me where to look in the Bible for my answers. I have accepted Jesus Christ!” This gentleman is also a Rabbi.
One of my Sunday School members was raised Jewish and she had read Betrayed as part of her decision making process for Christianity. She introduced the book in our class about 18 years ago. I was so impressed that I bought a copy. One day I was driving through North Tampa and noticed a sign that said Stan Telchin was speaking on Passover that evening. I pulled in, met, and had dinner with Stan. Like Lynn, I also told him about Emmaus. As a result, he sent me a note when he made his Walk at Cursillo with local friends.
Reading Betrayed is like a short course in Christianity and a great book.
Thanks for sharing this John. It is a powerful testimony to the way God uses the small things that we do, like loaning a book. If I recall correctly, you are the one who shared Betrayed! with me, and loaned me a copy to read.