Fulfill Your Ministry
My heart is filled with both grief and gladness as I write this tribute to Dr. John Anthony Jelinek. John entered eternal glory last week following a lengthy illness. Our friendship goes back several decades beginning with Detroit Bible College where he was my student through to Woodside Bible Church where we were colleagues in church ministry. Linda and John have been remarkably gifted servants of the Lord. Judy and I have followed their studies at Detroit Bible College to Dallas Theological Seminary and then to Grace Theological Seminary. They have distinguished themselves in ministry service at Alaska Bible College, Hazel Park Baptist Church, Baptist Bible Seminary, Michigan Theological Seminary and Moody Bible Institute/Moody Theological Seminary, Woodside Bible Church, and in many other ways.
John trusted Jesus just following graduation from high school and soon became close friends with Dr. Gene and Mary Mayhew. Gene was a faithful mentor to John and Linda over many years. Some of John’s first ministry experiences were with his support and encouragement. Gene and I sometimes worked together with John in ministries that have reached around the world. '
My thoughts have turned to the Apostle Paul’s final letter of encouragement to Timothy wherein he said that his time to depart this world had come. His last words to Timothy and to us are helpful during this time of sorrow and hope. Anyone who has been in ministry for a very long knows that there is a price to pay in serving the Lord and people. Paul said, “always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” John did all these things with exceptional devotion and excellence. Being sober-minded didn’t mean to be stoic, but rather to be self-controlled. His wit and humor remain legendary as is his serious devotion to the various professional roles he held. Suffering is not welcomed by anyone of us but in God’s plan it may come as it did for John. The cancer that finally took his life was a difficult journey for the whole Jelinek family. John remained focused and resolute through it all often saying, “God is good, all the time.” He lived his life focused on the glory of God and the exposition of the Word of God. He did the work of not only an evangelist but also a teacher of the Scriptures. He fulfilled His Ministry.
The Apostle’s words go on to offer great comfort of John’s family because of the quality and quantity of ministry our faithful friend completed. It may be said of John, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4: 7
It is no small thing to remain faithful in ministry for decades. There are fights to endure, a race to win, and a faith to keep. Each of these requires determination often under heavy burdens, a fight to endure with grace, a race to be run according to the rules, and a faith kept without faltering or failing. John did all these with exceptional skill and consistency.
The next verse tells us of God’s reward for faithful ministry. “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will award to me.” Vs. 8 Paul understood what we now know to be John’s reward—the crown of righteousness.” What more can I say than “Well done, good and faithful servant”“ Matthew 25:23.