Encountering one of “Christ’s True Gentlemen”

It is rare that we get to meet and observe a true example of greatness, but I had that privilege yesterday. And it was ironically a case of me serendipitously swapping inconvenience for privilege, as I went to this function to support my wife by playing the husbandly role of ‘companion-at-party.’ Well, what a treat lay in store for me.

I would hazard to say that to name this guy might embarrass him; but I’ll do it anyway. His name is Stephen McKinnon.

Steve works part time for TEAR Australia, Engaging Christians in Australia in God’s Work of Justice and Compassion: Transformation, Empowerment, Advocacy, Relief, in Education, which is essentially about “[informing, challenging and empowering] Christians in Australia to make biblically-shaped responses to poverty and injustice.”[1]

During the party there was a video shown of the ‘first 40 years’ of Steve’s life. Time and again people spoke lovingly and glowingly of his love for the lost, for fun, his humility, and his innate ability to ‘live what he believes.’ It is very rare indeed that people back up what they say with action, and clearly Steve is a model in this department.

A broader reflection which moves from Steve for a moment:

Time has the uncanny ability to give us exposure or special glimpses of greatness. One or two hours, or a simple encounter, with a great or special person can bring such eternal impact into our lives.

Encountering Justin Langer and meeting John Longley earlier this year were two such examples of experiences that easily etched their way into not only my memory, but my imagination also. These experiences are potentially road-of-life shifting. They’re inspiring.

Meeting Steve and observing him mingle with friends yesterday was a real honour. He’s a very different guy who’s made an impact on a great many people, not the least of which the seven or eight foster children he’s had stay with himself and his wife Erica and their two boys. He's intrinsically authentic, pragmatic and practical, with an innate love for not only kids but people in general; he’s someone to learn from.

Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

[1] Sourced from TEAR Australia website: http://www.tear.org.au/education/