By Pastor Kerry Robinson

In January 2005, Mark and Vickie Shaner accepted our invitation to join the pastoral staff here at East Side just days before a major ice storm shut down the city of Anderson. I remember because the power was cut off to my house for two days and my family piled into the Shaner’s home until power was restored to ours. There is some irony (or perhaps divine humor) in the fact that Mark and Vickie’s last Sunday on our staff also comes after a major winter storm in Indiana. 

I hope you are planning to join us this Sunday, January 27, after second service to share your love with the Shaners as they step into a new season of life as Regional Director for the Southeast Region of the National Youth Ministry Network. While there is a sadness in the loss of Mark as a member of our pastoral team, there is also a trust that wherever God leads them, the Shaners will definitely follow His leadership.

I have known Vickie her entire life. Our mothers were sisters, which makes me her cousin. I have known Mark since he was in high school. My father became Mark’s pastor in Missouri while I was in college. Mark and Vickie actually met for the first time because Vickie was a part of the family entourage who attended Becky's and my wedding. My brother, Kevin, introduced them in answer to Mark’s question, “Who is that good looking blonde?” Our lives have been intertwined for almost 40 years. Needless to say, I love the Shaners. It has been an honor to share ministry together at East Side for the past 14 years. Neither of us ever dreamed as young men that we would get that opportunity.

Over these years at East Side, God has allowed hundreds of you to be touched by their lives and ministry. Middle School and High School students have been loved well. Missions teams have learned that “when God wants to teach you something new, He takes you on a journey!” Interns have been mentored in more than ministry. They have discovered the life of ministry in Mark and Vickie. 

For several years, Mark and Vickie have opened themselves to share life with married couples across several generations to help them grow in their relationships. In the last couple of years Mark has spearheaded our service to the city of Anderson through our partnerships with local agencies. The Shaner's impact on East Side has been deep and lasting. East Side’s impact on their family has been deep and lasting as well. Their daughter, Gina, and her brothers, Zach, Austin, and Timothy have all worshipped and served here at East Side. It has been a blessing to have them in leadership among us. We will miss them. That is why I am happy that they will still be worshiping with us for a few months as they transition into Mark’s new assignment.

That is also why I am hoping you will join me this Sunday in celebrating God’s goodness to all of us through the Shaners. There will be memories, laughter and joy. There will be some tears and sadness. There will be stories. Lots of stories. It is a time for the church to be the church. You don’t want to miss this special day.