This Father’s Day we honor our fathers. I’m honoring my natural father and the spiritual father of many, Elder LaFleur.
The Imprint He Made On My Life Is Hope
I know I’m his daughter, but he’s the greatest preacher ever. I remember the passion and fervor with which he preached when I was young. You could feel the spirit of God from the moment you walked inside the church doors. It never waned. God’s approval and grace has shone through him his entire ministry.
He loves God. He loves the Word. He loves the Church. He loves his family.
Dad taught me that the strength I need to endure and overcome has been in me all along. I just have to rely on God.
His presence is powerful because of who he is in the Lord. I’ll always be comforted by the security of him and drawn to the energy he brings to life, especially living for God.
Looking Back At A Man Looking Forward
I grew up watching my dad serve the Lord and genuinely love people. He has been a loyal friend and by the side of countless people who needed him during his life. He’s cried with them, laughed with them, and prayed with them. At any time, he was there with a hand reaching out and a heart ready to help.
His prayers bring comfort and answers that only come from a man of God.
He could not care less about your race, nationality, or social-economic status. That has never mattered. He cares about you and your soul.
Taking Us Where We Need To Be
Elder was called by God, and his fear of God supersedes fear of man. That’s why he stood firm and committed to truth when others compromised the integrity of the Gospel by leaving the Rock for their own gain.
He’s never betrayed the principles, revelation, and foundation on which God called him. That decision has been enormously powerful and caused the Church to prosper. As a spiritual father, he has never failed to lead us forward.
A Common Bond
God calls men to be leaders based on an entirely different set of criteria than men do.
But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
When I read the Bible, I see my dad in men of God who came before him:
When it comes to prayer—he’s Elijah.
When it comes to wisdom—he’s Solomon.
When it comes to leading like a great general—he’s Joshua.
When it comes to being in tune with God and patience—he’s Moses.
When it comes to being a faithful voice and seeing God clearly—he’s Ezekiel.
When it comes to being an Apostle entrusted with the Gospel, not defecting from the truth, not yielding to false men, and not budging from God’s course—he’s Paul.
Called To Preach “The Gospel”
Many years ago, a woman prophesied saying Dad would be called by God to preach “THE Gospel”. He was. Since then his hope has been to see people saved and set free. When you receive true salvation, you’ll feel more alive than you’ve ever felt and know you’re where you belong. When you receive the truth, you’ll be made free of the things you hold onto and that are holding on to you.
In health and sickness, he perseveres because he knows this message changes people. The strongest word I can think to describe him: faithful. He’s been faithful to God, and his life is a testimony of God’s faithfulness to him.
There is work to do—lost sheep are still not in the fold. When the Lord calls them into His house, they’ll know they are home. With God on our side and Elder as our spiritual head, we continue to build and strive for the mark of the high calling.
Sometimes It Takes A Father
My dad is a guiding light when it comes to things happening that I don’t understand. He makes sense of it all and has steadfast advice to ensure I keep spiritual perspective.
When I think of taking the easiest route in life or throwing my hands up, I think about him. He has endured so much and overcome obstacles no one thought possible. Yet, he never gave in to darkness. He’s always walked in the light.
Happy Father’s Day to the greatest man I’ve ever known. I’ll always look forward to a morning cup of coffee with you.
What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful father and a truly one-of-a-kind man. I’m humbled to be under his covering, and blessed to be here receiving the Word from him.
Thank you for sharing him with all of us.
Wow I am so blessed to be apart of what the Lord is doing and to have an Apostle who’s only purpose is to help us make the Bride. Love ya Elder.
God bless you Lisa because you are a master at expressing how we all feel about Elder Lafleur. Thank you!!!!
So beautiful and very true!
I doubt anyone could have expressed any better how so many of us feel. We have all been blessed by this wonderful gift.
God has certainly blessed us with a man of God who has a willing servant’s heart toward the people of God. I am so thankful that the Lord called me to this ministry under the direction of our Apostle, Elder LaFleur.
Sister Lisa expressed our thought and feelings so well. I am thankful that she has the gift of words.
I’m so thankful for this man of God!
The instruction he has taught, not only through words but also by example, has left a lifelong mark on the way I think, act, and react. I really appreciate the beautiful way that S. Lisa has expressed her heart and I am in 100% agreement with her.
Sister Lisa,you expressed every thing perfect. You not only expressed how you feel about your dad and also your minister dad but how every one that knows him how we feel.
I thank God daily that he put me here. When things get hard I think how would our Elder handle the problem.then I think if he can handles it so can we.We have to let our faith take over,put our thinking behind us. I am so thankful to be here.
True words Sis Lisa! They expressed the heart of how we feel about the man of God, the Lord gave us. It’s hard to think of where we would be without “some man guiding” us in the way, through the scriptures. I’m very grateful for having the Elder in my life! I’m especially thankful for Him staying on the foundation in the face of great adversity! Happy Father’s Day Elder!