A NAIL IN A SURE PLACE

In Memory of Melvin Drews

Intended for his memorial service, snowed-in at the Dallas airport instead!

Isaiah 22:22-23 (KJV) – “And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.  And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.

            I first met Mel Drews when I came from Marshall, Minnesota to provide oversight at the Assemblies of God church in Spearfish, South Dakota. He was the owner and operator of the KOA Campground in Lead/Deadwood.

             I left Spearfish three years later to serve as Executive Vice President of Trinity Bible College, providing hands-on leadership to the school while the President, Evangelist Lowell Lundstrom, extensively promoted the school to his national audience and gave a clear and concise vision for the campus.

            Part of my responsibilities involved creating the spiritual formation calendar every school year, something I normally did during the summer months. Besides the daily chapel schedule I incorporated a Spiritual Emphasis week in the fall and a Week of Prayer in the winter. The spring included College Days and Graduation Ceremonies.

            In my last year on campus I was praying about whom to invite as a Spiritual Emphasis Week guest speaker and sensed a strong nudging to invite Charles Greenaway. I knew Charles as a successful African missionary and a great Missions speaker but never considered him for spiritual emphasis. Nevertheless the divine prompting would not subside so I extended an invitation and Charles graciously accepted.

            Charles was Irish. He was as tough as nails, a critical component for serving on the African continent during the early years of missions. He had strong convictions, could sometimes be stubborn, and occasionally came across harshly toward others. Yet if you looked deep enough, looked carefully at his heart, you discovered a sensitive man, extremely compassionate.

            When the faculty returned to campus I took a few moments during their orientation to talk about the Bible theme for the academic year and the chapel schedule, including the Spiritual Emphasis week. I mentioned Charles would be speaking. A couple of faculty members knew him very well and privately spoke to me about a concern. They were not sure he was up to the task. I assured them this was an act of obedience on my part to the Holy Spirit. The students ended up benefiting from him in a variety of ways, both in chapel and on campus.

            Charles came and was true to his calling, and character. His messages were powerfully delivered, rich in content and life-changing. The altars were full of young people crying out to God in every service. Those concerned faculty members were amazed.

            Yet occasionally Charles spoke harshly, especially to sound technicians and musicians. If they failed to meet his expectations the reaction was an immediate public rebuke. His occasional gruff demeanor and bluntness was confusing to students, some were hurt and offended. He was not perfect, yet heavenly results were clearly witnessed throughout the week.

            In the final service he read the text from Isaiah quoted above. He told a story about a young missionary who was deathly ill, lying in a small hut at a remote African village. As an Area Director for the continent he immediately set out to find him. Searching and arriving at the village lying deep in the wilds, he located the hut and discovered a young emaciated body lying on a mat. His heart broke for the dying man and wept silently.

            Charles vigilantly stayed with the missionary, consoling him, praying for him, comforting him, loving him. Shortly before dying he looked at Charles and asked, “Do you think I did enough?” Charles assured him that he had. The young missionary left his earthly vessel of clay and entered the loving arms of Jesus.

            Charles looked at the students in the Chapel and said, “He was a nail in a sure place.” There was not dry eye at the altar that evening.

            From the Black Hills of South Dakota and beyond Melvin Drews has left an indelible mark. He was a nail in a sure place.

Dependable

            When we moved to Spearfish the church facility was in need of several repairs and updates. The place had been used extensively for children ministry, showing extensive wear and tear. Classroom walls had cracks and holes, doors did not work properly or close correctly, a few rooms were constructed poorly or left unfinished. Bathrooms and nurseries needed updating and better equipment. I never had to worry about carrying a key for the building. The front doors could easily be jimmied. During the high transits season of the summer months I often wondered who to expect in the building when arriving each morning. I talked with church leaders about the numerous items needing attention. We began to prioritize projects and pray for answers.

            I would occasionally go to the KOA campgrounds and visit with Mel about what would make the facility more presentable and welcoming to guest. Simple repairs got immediate attention. He taught me how to effectively repair holes and cracks in walls, making them disappear. He fixed and adjusted doors. He drew up plans, determined the material costs, and projected the amount of work for larger projects. When funds were available and major jobs became approved he sacrificially gave valuable time for labor, along with his son Alan. He was someone you could count on, a nail in a sure place.

            My father, a railroad engineer, died while my family and I lived in Spearfish. Mel, a collector of railroad memorabilia and models, compassionately came alongside and lovingly provided fatherly advice, when needed.

            After serving at TBC I moved to Chicago. The church in a northwest suburb started doing construction trips to Central and South America. I contacted Mel and asked if he would join us. He personally covered all his expenses, including the additional flight to and from Chicago, and became the team foreman. He even got personal friends and churches to financially donate toward building materials.

            I told other team members I would get them into and out of the country, but at the work site Mel was in charge. Before leaving he gathered information on what equipment we should bring. Upon arrival he talked with the missionary, learned the status of the project, determined what could be accomplished in a week’s time, and oversaw the work. The missionary got maximum performance from the crew. Time was well spent and much work was done under his leadership.

Skillful

            Mel knew the value of a carefully placed nail. He knew how to effectively use a nail for framing, shaping, securing, and strengthening. He was a craftsman, a worker with tools, a designer. He could take a block of wood and turn it into a piece of art.

            Go to a church in southern California and you will see his expert skills. Churches in the Northern Black Hills give testimony of his handiwork. At the Spearfish church the front overhang leading to the sidewalk from the building was designed and built by him with the help of his son. He prepared the framework for new industrial-grade commercial glass doors, securing the facility. The last time I walked into the Lead church I noticed the door trim entering the auditorium and said to myself, “Mel was here!” The mark of excellence is found at entranceways and altars in various places.

            Some may not have known Mel before he had a stroke, years ago. He was as tough as nails, had strong convictions, could occasionally be stubborn, and sometimes appeared harsh. Like all of us he was not perfect.

            He was a man with a low tolerance for mediocrity. The word mediocrity was not even in his vocabulary. He could not and would not settle for inferior workmanship. If it was not going to be done right, if he was not given the freedom to fully apply his expertise, he did not hesitate to emphatically voice his disappointment or not get involved. Some became confused and possibly offended, but if they took time to listen and looked deep inside his heart, they would quickly recognize a sensitive man, desiring to honor God with his very best.

Nail scared hands

            Jesus is the nail in a sure place, paying the price and providing salvation for people bound by sin. Mel loved the Lord very deeply. In some ways he may have better understood the Savior trained as a carpenter. He knew how painful nails can be when puncturing skin. He understood the potential agony caused when nails pierced hands and feet.

            Mel embraced all the promises given by Christ and fully understood what was meant when Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you….” Jesus, the Supreme Construction Manager, has designed and built a place beyond comparison to anything someone can presently comprehend. And with confidence Mel is at that place. (The word confident is the combination of two Latin words cum fide, meaning with faith.) Mel was a man with sincere faith and now abides in a custom-designed, perfectly built, heavenly place.

            Nothing would make Mel happier than for people to take time and affirm their faith in God. If you are a follower of Jesus then celebrate God’s goodness and grace in providing peace, joy and love, as well as an eternal dwelling place.

            If you do not know Jesus, and you know who you are, it is obvious to you, your life does not demonstrate love for God and you are not living the Jesus way – then place faith in God. More than simply convert, become a disciple. More than an impromptu decision, enter a lifelong journey. Genuinely follow Jesus.

            You have an opportunity right now to commit your life to Christ. No one can live a perfect life, yet everyone can live a forgiven life. Instead of walking further away from God, do an about-face and come to Christ. Ask for forgiveness and willfully turnaround. Experience firsthand the fullness and best of abundant life.

            Include yourself in the promise of an eternal dwelling place. According to God’s word a spectacular spot in His presence awaits everyone loving the Lord. Many who personally know you are already abiding in a heavenly home and want to see you there, including Mel. Make the right decision. Talk to God!