Here is the latest deacon interview of Gordon Oeschger. You can find our previous interviews here: John Carmichael and Al Warren.
Q: How long have you and Janis attended Windsor Baptist Church? How did you first become involved?
A:Janis and I started attending Windsor in November 2003. We actually joined the Church in December 2003. At the time we started attending, we were concerned about the ABC affiliation. After visiting with Pastor Chaya and learning of their intention to sever relationships with this liberal association, we prayed for God’s direction. Ultimately, we were led to join the Church.
Q: How did you and Janis meet; what is your story?
A: Janis and I met at a Getty Gas Station in Midland Park, NJ. I was working for Getty Oil Company at the time, and they were experimenting with their first company-owned and operated service station. They asked me to take charge of it, and I hired a young man who was dating Janis at the time. Ultimately, she and I started dating on October 10, 1975 where we went to a NY Giants football game. We have been together ever since.
Q: How did you come to faith in Christ?
A: My twin brother became a Christian while attending graduate school at the University of Louisville. He began witnessing to me, and at first I was not bothered by it too much. We talked every day, and I asked him this question: “Would it be okay if we talked about something other than God once in a while?” He agreed to stop talking to me if I would read the Bible. I agreed, and he sent me a KJV Bible in the mail, with passages for me to start with. When I got the Bible, I knelt down at my bedside at my apartment in New York City. In my prayer, I asked the Lord to show me anything that He wanted me to see, and to change my life if it needed to be changed. About half way through the Gospel of Matthew, I knelt down at my bedside again. This time, I prayed for the Lord to take control of my life from that point forward. In my prayer, I apologized for my sinfulness and asked forgiveness for the first 27 years of my life which were selfish and self-centered. I closed my prayer by telling the Lord that the rest of my life would be lived for Him.
Q: Why is membership at WBC important?
A: Membership is important because it involves commitment. I believe the Bible is very clear about connecting to a local New Testament Church. As Paul said in Romans 12:4-5, “We are many members in one body, and each member does not have the same office (or function). Yet, we being many are one body in Christ.” I believe that the Church as the Body of Christ is a living organism, and it functions best through a vital Church that is committed to the work of Christ.
Q: What is something God has taught you in recent years?
A: Perhaps the greatest truth that the Lord has taught me in recent years was the relationship of the Biblical Covenants to circumcision and baptism. I had the great privilege to teach in this area not long ago, and it was a study that really help me see God’s Plan from Genesis to Revelation. It was a great truth that to this day remains marvelous in my eyes.
Q: What do you love about serving as a deacon at WBC?
A: Serving as a Deacon involves service, which is perhaps the most important thing we do. What I love most is the opportunity to do a work that helps extend God’s Kingdom on this earth.
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
A: For recreation, I enjoy all sports including golf, fishing and most things outdoors.
Q: How can the Windsor church family encourage the deacons?
A: The most important thing the Church family can do is pray for the Deacons and for each other. Prayer is certainly something none of us can ever have enough of.