Seven Questions with a Servant: J.K. Lilly

1. What's your name?

J. K. Lilly

2. Will you please share a little about yourself (where you’re from, where you work, about your spouse, children, grandchildren, pets, etc)?

West Virginia has always been home except for my Navy years. I'm dad to three daughters, but one died from complications of diabetes. Patricia Sherman found me wandering Charleston's mean streets barefoot and shivering; she couldn't resist adopt me as a bedraggled stray. Imagine, a Presbyterian sharing wedding cake with a Catholic. Thank God for providing a welcoming Lutheran church in which to worship Him. Her Doctorate is in Education and mine is in Medicine... both from WVU. Our Masters degrees are from Marshall so are united in Christ but divided by diplomas.

3. How long have you been attending/serving at Redeemer?

My wife and I have been regular attendees for just over 4 years. We came to 1 Deerwalk Lane after a decade at St. Timothy. LCMC, NALC, ELCA, there seems to be a Lutheran flavor for almost everyone. Of course Redeemer is the best!

4. In what ways do you or have you serve(d) at Redeemer and which is/was your favorite way?

We took the Spiritual Gifts Survey and the results were not surprising. Her strong suits are administration and exhortation. Mine are teaching with caring and helping a close second. As an member of our Elder Board, I am blessed to exercise both gifts to assist Pastor Frank and our entire congregation. Monday night Bible Study has been an especially tender ministry wherein giving and receiving are generously involved.

5. How has serving at Redeemer impacted you?

I am always amazed when the liturgy service is High Church; the chanting and responses are such a unique way to share our love for and with the Lord.

6. What’s something about you not many folks know?

My mom, a lefty, changed me to a righty when I was younger. She maintained that only afew left handed school desks existed, phone booths were designed by a righty and left handed golf clubs are as scarce as hens teeth. Please humor your Elder who sometimes doesn't know his left from his right.