Circuit Rider Letter
May 2011
by Pastor John DiGiamberardino

"No Time For Fooling Around"

There are many people who have greatly influenced my life. One of them is Milton Collins. When I arrived in Port Republic as the pastor of the church in 1993, I was 30 years old. There was an assistant pastor at the church, Rev. Milton Collins. What was interesting about this was that he had been a local pastor at this church for over 27 years, from to 1954 to 1981. I had first met him when I was a youth, about 15 years old, at Delanco Camp. We used to call him Uncle Milt and now I am his pastor. It was a humbling experience.

When I became the pastor of that church, he was very respectful even though he was my elder by a number of years and knew the people and area much better them me. He would always call me pastor. There are many things that he would say that I remember so clearly. We often went out to eat lunch at Allens Clam Bar in New Gretna and he would always order the oyster stew. When it came to the table he would say, “Pastor, you are going to need to let me take my time.”

He was always concerned about not causing me any problems. He wanted me to do well. He would say things like, “Pastor, if I ever do anything to get in your way, you let me know.” We would meet for Bible study and prayer. He would say, “If there is anything I say that is good, make it your own.

”There are so many things I remember about him. He would write me handwritten letters about once a month that were always encouraging. In fact I still have them. He taught me how to do a funeral. I had never thought that a funeral was a good time to clearly and lovingly share the good news about knowing Jesus. He taught me how to visit in the hospital. I would find myself staying too long and he had a way of making visits short and meaningful. He taught me how to respect people. He taught me how important it is to encourage people.

Rev. Collins clearly had a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. And if one thing captures the life of Milton Collins it is the fact that he did not waste his life away. He had a purpose for living. He said it was interesting, as he had gotten older, things that he loved when he was younger he no longer loved to do. He loved to fox hunt. Get up early, the smell of the outdoors and chasing those foxes…but all of a sudden he had no passion for it any more. His passions changed. His soul desire was for people to know Jesus. He wanted to exalt Jesus. I asked Uncle Milt one time at camp as a young person, “Uncle Milt, do you ever go to the movies or do anything for fun?” He said, as only he could, 'Son, (he often called people son or daughter) I got no time for fooling around." Even as a young person that really had an influence in my life. There are so many things I can remember that he said.

In September of 1998, Rev. Milton Collins went to be with the Lord. His soul purpose was to tell people about Jesus. And that is what he did. I will always remember Rev. Collins. He led a life of victory. He knew what it was to have the power and presence of God in his life. He was a man after God's own heart. He became a living witness to me of Christ’s love and calling on a person’s life.

See You In Worship, 

Pastor John