Jim Ether has been the Facilities Director at NorthwayChurch.tv for a little over a year now, and he does an amazing job! He has an incredible team of dedicated people, and it is an honor to serve alongside him. Check out what Jim has to say about his own heroes…
I have been thoroughly enjoying the Heroes series and am learning a lot in the process. Such amazing men and women in the Bible have been used by God in powerful ways and through their experience we learn very important lessons about how God wants to use each one of us. And these lessons are no less relevant today then they were in the times of the Old Testament!
Well, my hero has always been my dad, Robert Ether. He passed away in 2001 when I was only 34. But he taught me so much in the time that we had together. Besides the typical father/son stuff (and the occasional spanking) he taught me the importance of serving others. Dad was always quick to spot the needs of others and to respond to it. He was always offering the use of the house, dock or boat to people. (He once even told a complete stranger to come over and use the boat to go fishing!) Dad was fast to help someone along the side of the road, or with some other need. One family in the neighborhood who always seemed to struggle with one issue or another referred to him as “Mr. 911� because he was always ready to bail them out of a jam.
You see, Dad knew that at the core of our being, God created in us the need to both love and be loved. That as Christians it is imperative to demonstrate to others the love that Jesus has shown to us. That SERVING others is an incredible way to express the love of God to them through our actions. People need to feel valued and that by serving each other we express this value in a very tangible and personal way.
My dad showed me that putting others first was the right way to live. What I have discovered as I have grown closer to God is that it is the ONLY way to live. Jesus gave us so many examples of His service to others. He set the bar for us. He has shown us what he wants us to do. We ARE Jesus to others when we serve them. Everyday God gives us opportunities (Joshua??) to help someone in a way that shows them His love.
I have the PRIVILEDGE of serving God here at Northway Church. I have the HONOR of serving with some of the most selfless, committed SERVANTS of Christ that I have ever met. These are people who understand and are committed to this life changing concept of serving others. And they serve with Gladness. And they serve with Joy. And they are helping to change lives!
I could name names here. I could post mug shots. I could boast of them and embarrass them in this forum they call the Buddy Blog. But they would have nothing of it. You see, it’s not about recognition for these people. They serve to make a difference in the Kingdom of God. They serve so that others can come to Northway Church and experience the life change that they already have. So that people can walk in the doors of one of our campuses and be comfortable and receptive of the words that God has for them that day.
I am so thankful that God gives us the ability to serve Him by serving others, and when we are obedient to Him in our service, He blesses us in so many ways!
Jim- What an awesome example your dad was to you! It really would have been neat to have met him.
You have some incredible people that work on your team, Jim. They are some of the most dedicated and hard-working people I’ve ever met! And, they do it all for Jesus!
–Heather
Jim, Thank you for all you and your team do at Northway.
With all the things in life and situations each person on our facilities team has to endure each week They always have something left to make both campuses of Northway Church shine every weekend.
I love how you lead by example.
Our facilities team rocks!
I can Truly say reading about Jim’s Dad the apple does not fall far from the tree. Jim follows in the footsteps of his father. He is a blessing to Northway Church to me espicially. There are a few people I have adopted, as my “Fathers, and brothers”. Jim is like my brother. I cannot wait to see him to get a hug from him when I get to church. His smile lights up my day. I love giving him the business and getting it back. He give me inspiration to want to be like him and walk the Christian Life, he puts it down and keeps it real and speaks to me on a level of sincerity and honesty and I feel blessed. Working with him and watching his dedication is amazing he is full throttle, pep talk, GIT R DONE, he praises you for the little things and makes you feel big in a little pond. I love my adopted Little Family, My Fathers, Mr. Stan, Mr Dick, Mr Lou, My Sister Eva, Brothers Jim, Nate, Davey,Gary, Miss Sue, Miss Barb, and Jim’s Best Half. When we work at CP there are more I do not know all the names,but the face are precious to me and I love them all. It is not a chore it is fun and rewarding, and a learning experience as well.I hope I can grow in my walk on my path with Jim’s help and all my family here at Northway, GOD is still working on me, I got issues,(smile) I turned 51, yesterday, but Jesus walked among the sinners, and the common man, that is what NORTHWAY is preaching, and why it is so popular. Reaching out to those who need them!! We are blessed to have Jim, Dave,Nate,Chad,Brian,Bob, Jon, Kevin, Jeremy,and Pastor B,Debbie, and everyone who GOD has blessed Northway with, to accomplish this mission,to reach out in UPSTATE NEW YORK. Peace Stefi
Hi Jim, Your dad helped us out more than once and even baby-sat our house on occasion when we were out of town. You’re right, he DID live service!
- Marti
I met Jim about 1 1/2 years ago when we were renavating the Malta Campus. He had just become the leader for this new Ministry named the Facilities Team. Since that time we have formed a bond as closer than brothers.
Jim your always the person who puts others ahead of yourself. Your a true Christian that leads by example not by talk.
I want to thank you for helping me get through a difficult time with my father. You made this season of my life much easier.
I’m sure your Dad is looking down from heaven saying “THAT’S MY BOY. GOOD JOB SON.”
God Bless You Jim and your family.
PS. Haven’t scared you in while..watch out!!!!
Heather- Thank YOU for giving the Facilities Team all the support and encouragement that you do. You helped develop and structure this team and we all appreciate it! -Jim
Dewey- You have spent many an evening helping out with the work. So while you have many other awesome ways that you serve the Lord at Northway, the Facilities Team is always thrilled to see you! -Jim
Stefi- Wow. Thanks for changing me from an apple into a beet Stefi. I am going to have to work real hard today to live up to those kind words! The cool thing is, that while you have mentioned people who are special to you, I know that those very same people think that you are an incredible blessing. You have the gift of encouragement. You make people smile even when they might not be feeling like it at the time!! Your family serves together with joy and that is a great example for others to see. Peace. -Jim
Marti- You are one of the few people at Northway Church who knew my dad. He loved watering your plants. And he was glad to be your neighbor. I am glad while we no longer live in the same neighborhood, we worship God together in the same church! -Jim
Sam- You don’t scare me. You mentor me with your example of selfless service. Always willing, always ready to do what needs to be done. You and your family shine Jesus through what you do. We work hard and have great fellowship in the process don’t we?! These are awesome days we are living. We have chosen to be comfortably uncomfortable and the reward is great. Time is short. We have a lot of work to do. And I look forward to every time I know I’ll be working side by side with you. -Jim
Jim, I really can’t add to much more to what has already been said about how much we appreciate your leadership and dedication to the work of the Lord here at Northway. For a while the enemy of our souls had me convinced that my useful ness to the Lord was over and that there wasn’t a place for me in his work. Then I found Northway and you. We know that the Church of the Lord is made up of people and we find that some people accept you at face value and some people are a little slower coming around. You were one of those people that gave their friendship as it was given to them. That’s what it’s all about. That’s how one shows how much of the spirit of Jesus one has with-in them by how much love they show to others. Northway has some of the finest leaders any group could ask for and you are amoung the best. I know that our entire team feels the same way and we are all eager to follow your lead in the service of the Lord. Thank you for living a life that is a model for us all to follow.—LAV—
Hey Bro’
You and your team have taken NC to the next level. It’s funny you sometimes call me for advice, but I’m the one who always learns something. I can’t wait till the next one.
Court
Jim, I was inducted into the facilities as a facilities wife, Then gracefuly I became a member it has been great working beside Gods servants and that is just what we are here to do serve others. You are a great example of a faithful servant and I look forward to serving on friday with the friday night gang.God Bless all you do.
Lou- Isn’t it incredible to know that we, through obedience, are in the right place at the right time?
That our daily actions are making a difference in the Kingdom of God? The more we give of our time and talents to the Lord, the more that He seems to offer more opportunities to use them. And even though the workload seems heavy at times, He surrounds us with people who lift us up and make completing the task fun! Your usefulness has just begun. The Lord has awesome things in store for you. Thanks for letting me experience some of them with you. -Jim
Court- Glad we learn things together. God has flexed our faith muscles together in these former gyms called “Northway Church”. How much we have learned and grown together. And how much YOU have taught ME. Can’t wait to work on N3, N4 and more with you. -Jim
Donna- The only thing better than having ONE Abate on the team is having TWO! You are so fun to have around and you pick everybody up with your cheeriness! Friday evenings working to get Northway Church – Malta ready for the weekend really is a great time, isn’t it!? -Jim