Mike Wolanin | The Republic Nancy Lewis is retiring from leading various types of ministries at First Christian Church. She is pictured in the sanctuary at First Christian Church in Columbus on June 4.
Nearly 20 years later, Nancy Lewis still marvels over one of the biggest developments or blessings in her life. In fact, it represents one of her many stories of apparent incongruous events.
She calls them “but God” stories — slightly foreboding narratives that dramatically and suddenly turn on the interjected phrase and intervention of “but God … .”
“I don’t cook,” she said, trying to hold back a growing grin while sitting in the Connections Corner Cafe of First Christian Church in downtown Columbus. “I don’t sew. I’m not really at all very domestic. I didn’t attend a Christian college and my degree is not in ministry. I don’t really do anything stereotypical female.”
Brace yourself. Here comes the big “but God” moment.
“And yet, this church took a big chance on me 17 years ago and hired me as a women’s minister.”
As she salutes those called to those roles, many would argue that the investment has paid big dividends. Lewis, 61, currently the church’s connections minister, which encompasses women’s ministry today, will be honored at a reception from 2 t0 4 p.m. June 23 at the church at 531 Fifth St. Making her story all the more unusual is a rather rare backdrop: She has attended First Christian all her life save for a brief period of a few months living in Fort Wayne, and then came to serve on the staff at First Christian after years of volunteerism.
Father Roy Stillabower was a deacon at First Christian during her childhood.
In an age in which national polls show that Christians change churches nearly as often as many change jobs or cars, Nancy Lewis is a loyalist — and not even for the mere sake of loyalty.
“I want to go only where the Spirit leads me,” she said.
For now, she figures that will mean moving toward a more relaxed, open calendar, allowing her to informally minister to others in a format she calls “on the way” as Jesus is often described in the gospels. Her very structured paid work has included overseeing everything from women’s retreats to lay-led Stephen Ministry to help people through hardship.
Steve Yeaton, First Christian’s senior minister, will be the first to applaud her efforts.
“She’s done a remarkable job over the past 17 years,” Yeaton said, “and is worthy of recognition for her humble and dedicated service over all those years.”
She feels substantial gratitude both looking back and looking forward. She took the microphone at a recent worship service and read a passage that included part of Ephesians 1: “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
Lewis speaks of her faith not in a sense of fiercely pushing through obstacles, but of spiritually and submissively surrendering to God and his trustworthiness in the worst of times. She remembers what she calls a deep and complete “letting go” when she grieved for her infant son, Ryan, years ago. He lived one hour, 43 minutes.
The woman who acknowledges that she often was pressed into a role as “the fixer” in her early life had no fix for such pain.
“But I (somehow) had perfect peace,” Lewis said. “I’ve always known that God had plans and purposes for Ryan, but, those plans are in eternity, not here.
“It allowed (small daughter) Lauren to always understand and look at that eternal perspective and not just what we see here on Earth. She used to draw pictures of herself, and … a brother in heaven.”
She finds it especially interesting that Lauren, now living in Indianapolis and attending East 91st Street Christian Church, is now serving as a volunteer in women’s and children’s ministry just as Lewis’ mother Martha once did as a volunteer at First Christian.
Lewis looks forward to spending more time with Lauren and her husband, Ben, and granddaughter Lily, 18 months. Lewis’ Facebook feed features plenty of adorable shots with the little one.
“I know that it’s time to not do this (ministry) for a vocation,” Lewis said, “so I’m trusting. Yes, I’m just trusting. I don’t have to have a plan — but I know that he does.”
She calls it life and ministry “as you go,” as Jesus is quoted in the gospels.
All as she looks to the future — with an open calendar, and an open heart.
The Lewis file
Name: Nancy Lewis.
Age: 61
Hometown: Columbus.
Position: Connections minister at First Christian Church. Previous job: special education coordinator/teacher at Columbus North High School.
Family: Husband Greg, son Austin of Chicago, daughter Lauren Kloke and her husband Ben Kloke of Indianapolis. Granddaughter Lily, 18 months.
Education: Special education degree from Indiana University. Masters in secondary school administration from Indiana University.
