☕ Over Coffee (with Pastor Nathan)!

Editor’s note: This month, we sat down with Pastor Nathan for a lighthearted chat about his childhood memories in the Church of God, the funny moments that still make him laugh, and the kind of fellowship that makes serving God a joy.

What started as a few stories over coffee turned into a reminder that sometimes the best parts of church happen outside the walls of a building ... and occasionally involve a very determined squirrel.

Interviewer:

Brother Nathan, when you think back to your earliest memories growing up in the Church of God, what’s the first one that comes to mind?

Brother Nathan:

The very first thing I remember is being a little toddler. Mom and Dad would meet every Tuesday night with college students, friends from Dad’s work, and people from the community. They’d all come over for fellowship and to hear the Word of God.

I remember having to sleep with a fan on just so Mom could try to block out the noise. Everyone loved being there.

That’s something I think our nation has forgotten, the beauty of visiting with friends, enjoying time together without the constant distraction of television, radio, or mobile phones.

Interviewer:

That sounds like something really special. What did those nights teach you about church life?

Brother Nathan:

You know, I never thought of those gatherings as “church.” To me, church was the building we went to on Sundays. But what I saw in those living room meetings — that was the real thing.

I watched people find healing. I watched those who were addicted find freedom. I saw the lonely find friends. That’s church: it’s not a dress code or a building - it’s a lived experience.

The whole idea of dressing up in suits is funny to me, because in those days, we met people right where they were — after work, tired, in jeans or work clothes, just real people. All the other stuff — the music, the formality — those are perks. But the real church happens when people meet God in the middle of life.

Interviewer:

That’s beautiful. When you got older and started going to worship services, did you notice a difference between what you saw at home and what you saw in the building?

Brother Nathan:

We always went to worship in a building too, but my parents had this heart for people who needed guidance, so they helped this little group of folks outside of that.

I do remember being really bored sometimes in those small congregations. The preaching could be harsh, and as a kid, it didn’t make much sense to me. It still doesn't. I’d sit there thinking, This is crazy! As I watched some of the "preachers" faces turn read and their hair flopping around as they beat the pulpit.

Then we’d get home, open the door, and there’d be three times as many people laughing in our living room. Somebody would bring cookies, Mom would give us a little 7-UP poured from the little glass bottles they came in. And sometimes my sister would surprise everyone with donuts. I didn't know about tamales then, but that would have been nice! I remember that Mom would make a peach cobbler sometimes.

It’s funny how the “informal” personal moments often feel more holy than the churchy ones. You need both!

Interviewer:

And now that you’re a pastor yourself, do you find you try to recreate that same kind of warmth?

Brother Nathan:

Absolutely. That’s where God really worked. The home-meeting approach should always be the foundation of formal gatherings.

I’ve always tried to recapture that, because it’s how people get help. The formal gathering should only solidify what’s already been shown by example in daily life.

I might not get away with serving coffee and donuts right in the sanctuary, the saints might get the wrong idea, but I do keep that tradition alive in our weekly home gatherings. Food costs a lot more now, though! (laughs)

Interviewer:

(laughs) It really does! Every pastor I know could tell a dozen stories about things going wonderfully wrong in church. What’s one of the funniest moments you remember?

Brother Nathan:

Oh, that’s easy — the time a squirrel went berserk right in the middle of worship!

I was sitting in the middle of the congregation, and we saw this squirrel come running out from the Dad's (the pastor’s) study. It darted behind the pulpit and peeked out at everyone. From that moment, Dad lost all attention.

The squirrel ran back and forth across the stage, then straight across the upright piano — some who were there will try to tell you that it played a little boogie blues tune as it went!

Then it charged through the congregation, and you would’ve thought the Holy Spirit had started a mass resurrection.

Women began ascending to the pew tops, holding their skirts tight; others were shouting, and I was laughing. I’m sure the neighbors thought we’d turned into some kind of animal-handling group.

Dad was just standing there laughing at the chaos. Some of the men tried to block the doors, others were chasing it, and the poor boys helping got scolded mid-chase. I can't seem to recall who that was though. The squirrel finally ran into the entryway, then down into the basement.

We could hear yelling, banging, and commotion below. I wasn’t sure who was winning — the men or the squirrel! (laughs) To this day, I have no idea what Dad’s sermon was about. Probably “Distractions,” knowing how things go for preachers!

Interviewer:

That’s fantastic! I can picture the whole scene. Watching your dad laugh through all that — what did that teach you about how to handle chaos in ministry?

Brother Nathan:

He was a calm man. He believed that real authority comes from character, not dictatorship. He handled people well, never harshly, always with patience. His laughter was maybe what I remember most about him.

He and Mom — who’s probably reading this, so hi Mom! — showed that serving God should be joyful. That’s how friendships are formed. Moments like that remind people that faith isn’t rigid: it’s alive.

Interviewer:

That’s such a great picture. You’ve mentioned how those experiences shaped your ministry, but what about your faith personally? Was there a time when it all became real to you?

Brother Nathan:

I think my fondest memories are the ones where I saw the reality of serving God.

I’ve watched people healed — a woman with a large cancerous growth, a man healed from prostate cancer, and one man who was having a massive stroke right in front of me. His body began to wither, and then God reversed it before my eyes.

I’ve seen people find real friendships, headaches disappear, and even moments where God’s mercy protected people from serious accidents.

Those things stay with you. They remind you that this life with God is real. The people who truly love Him and obey Him, those are the best friends, the most reliable people you’ll ever meet on this earth.

Interviewer:

That’s such a strong testimony. So when younger believers ask you what it’s really like to serve God after growing up in the church, what do you tell them?

Brother Nathan:

I tell them I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Once you’ve really experienced God’s goodness, there’s nothing in the world that you would want to tempt you away. When you’ve tasted true salvation — that freedom, that peace — you’ll never want to leave it.

Serving God isn’t about giving things up; it’s about gaining a life so full that nothing else compares.

Interviewer:

That’s the perfect way to say it. It’s been such a joy hearing these stories: the laughter, the memories, and the faith behind them.

Brother Nathan:

Well, I’ve always believed that serving God should be both serious and fun. We’re meant to live with joy. And if we ever forget that, maybe we just need another squirrel in the sanctuary to remind us! (laughs)

Editor's Note: Pastor Nathan took another sip of coffee and smiled. And maybe that says more than anything. It is clear he enjoys serving God - and it is contagious! The real takeaway: Sometimes the most powerful messages aren’t preached from the pulpit, but lived out in a 900-square-foot house filled with people, laughter, cookies, and the love of a faithful God.

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