The last few
days for us were laden with history in the making .
The touching description written by our son, Davi
Charles Gomes is worth reading to get a feel of what is
happening at Mackenzie
University
Wow! What ten incredible years!
That thought could not leave me during all of yesterday... a different
day from the days this past week, different from the last more than 3,000 days.
I woke up a little later (different from the dawn that marked my other days this
week). I did not arrive at the office rushed or running to a class... There
were only a few loose ends that needed attention... I did not find things
waiting for solutions – just friendly faces with sweet-sour expressions, half
loving, half missing – at least that was the way my heart looked at my
colleagues at CPAJ with whom I had invested the last ten years of institutional
ministry.
The previous day had already been ridden
with emotion. I had entered the classroom early to finish my graduate course in
Ecclesiological Identity in Church Revitalization and Multiplication – a
touching time with beloved student-pastors and my last class administered as
director of CPAJ. Naturally I went overtime, thus, after saying goodbye to
students, holding back my tears (both because of that strange feeling of
dismissal and because of hearing pastor-students speak of the deep things of
the heart) I was half an hour late as I raced toward the last meeting of the CPAJ
Graduate Chamber’s farewell meeting...
At my office my brothers and colleagues
were already patiently waiting for me. I began the meeting still as president.
After prayer led by pastor Valdeci Santos, I said some words of thanks to my colleagues
-- authentic sentiments that I shall not try to reproduce here, leaving them
only in the memory of those brothers who mean so much to me. I thanked them
because they were instruments of God’s grace in my life... I will tell you only
two little humorous tidbits: seeking
relief in humor, I thanked them because in all these years everyone managed to
always leave the director "looking
good on tape"; and borrowed a few lines from a song that expressed to
those brethren how I felt:
You Give Me Strength (Snow Patrol)
I choked back tears today
'Cause I can't begin to say
How much you've shaped this boy
These last ten years or more
My friends, we've seen it all
Triumphs to drunken falls
And our bones are broken still
But our hearts are joined until
Time slips its tired hand
Into our tired hands
We've years 'til that day
And so much more to say
You give the strength to me
A strength I never had
I was a mess, you see
I'd lost the plot so bad
You dragged me up and out
Out of the darkest place
There's not a single doubt
When I can see your faces
My friends, we've seen it all
When it made no sense at all
You dare to light my path
And found the beauty in the aftermath
Let me hold you up
Like you held me up
It's too long to never say this
You must know I've always thought
After using pieces of the song to speak to
them I asked to pray and did so thanking
God for each of the brothers present, for their lives and specific moments of
friendship and closeness to each of them. After the prayer, I heard some loving
and encouraging words from pastor Heber Carlos de Campos. Once more resorting
to humor, I passed the presidency of the faculty to the Vice-director that with
my leaving would assume the direction. I did something I’ve always wanted to do
since I used to watch Captain Kirk or Captain Jean Luc Piccard ("Star
Trek" and "Star Trek, The Next Generation", for the non-initiated).
I turned to pastor Mauro Fernando Meister and solemnly declared: "Number
one, you now have command..." All that was missing was hearing him
say: "Warp speed ahead!"
After fraternal embraces, the remaining
teaching body (the Graduate Chamber is composed only of Coordinators and Tenured
Professors) was called in. I saw the younger professors enter, each of
which had joined CPAJ under my direction. Only two beloved colleagues were
missing -- pastors João Alves and Augustus Nicodemus, both also Chamber members,
absents at that moment for necessary reasons, though still near to the heart. With
the faculty were also our valorous co-laborers, Sunamita, Hothir, Márcia and
Rafael.
My heart was already pressed but it was
harder still when I saw them enter with a beautiful light-wooden chair -- and I
could already imagine what was coming... Pastor Valdeci explained that, according
to a tradition from other reformed schools of theology, they were giving me a
chair that represented my chair at CPAJ and would follow with me as a permanent
remembrance. He read the writing
on the plaque fixed to the beautiful chair: The CPAJ seal was accompanied by
the following words: "Rev. Davi Charles Gomes ,
PhD. In honor of your work done with excellence and dedication in the direction
of Centro Presbiteriano de Pós-Graduação Andrew Jumper - 2004 to 2013. Faculty -
CPAJ".
That was when it was very difficult to
hold back my emotion, for my colleagues made me sit on the chair and pose for a
final photo with the faculty seated and outlined around me. Sheepish at being
honored in this way, I acceded, feeling profound gratitude for those men who I wish so much to
honor at this moment of leave-taking
and yet they made me agree to being honored by them in a way I normally would
find very hard to accept – because the honor belongs only to Christ and these
are men who always honor Christ, but who at that moment wanted to honor, in submission
to Christ, a lesser brother whose greatest honor was serving them for these
last ten years, and with them, serve the cause of the Kingdom of Christ and the
Presbyterian Church of Brazil!
Meeting ended, still touched by deep
feelings, I went with them to a simple nearby restaurant for some moments of informal
fellowship. The beloved pastors Augustus Nicodemus and Fernando Almeida
joined us. Breaking bread in
deep fellowship still carried the flavor of farewell, but in a different sense,
maybe due to the choice of an everyday, unpretentious place; it also had the same
delicious everyday flavor of thousands of times we ate and communed together at
the table...
Finishing lunch, we walked back to CPAJ.
Some colleagues went for better coffee at a place nearby, others had
various appointments. I walked back with pastors Mauro, Jedeías, Augustus
and Fernando. I talked a while with pastor Fernando, chief of staff at
Mackenzie Chancellery, who is helping pastor Augustus and me in the transition
of offices and then, both of us continued to the João Calvino
Building
I was kindly received by dear Augustus, who
introduced me to each of the chaplains and then presented a report about the
last ten years of his work as Chancellor of Mackenzie. Even though I have been
close to Augustus and the Chancellorship all these years, and have regularly substituted
the Chancellor in his absence, therefore knowing well the actions he has always
developed, I must confess that watching the presentation left me proud of my
friend, colleague and predecessor in the
position.
The presentation summed up the principal actions,
challenges and victories for the Kingdom, developed in the chancellery in the
last ten years, reminding me how much was accomplished, making me admire the faithfulness with which Augustus
developed his ministry there, and agree with the members of the Board of Directors of Mackenzie, that had
received the same report the previous week with such appreciation and respect. I
was also very happy to remember how my dear friend Augustus leaves his position
with so many protests of admiration and e respect, from his superiors (The
Board of Curators and The Board of Directors of Mackenzie), his colleagues at
the Institute and the University and all the people he led.
Pastor Augustus Nicodemus Gomes Lopes leaves
his position by his own initiative and
under protest from many. Also under my protests. Not negative or misunderstanding protests.
He goes forth because he desires new challenges, because he hears the
attractive, memory-laden song of his pastoral-academic
work, because he feels from God the tranquility that his task, by the marvelous
grace of God, was faithfully fulfilled – at least this is what I clearly
perceive, though I don’t presume to
speak for Augustus, but I think I know well such a feeling, for it is the way I
leave CPAJ!
After Chancellor Augustus Nicodemus’s
presentation, he asked each chaplain to make a ten-minute report, relating the
ministries developed at the various campuses and the diverse areas of
activities as chaplains of Mackenzie. I was happy to perceive what they
have done and the important ministries they have in the Mackenzie community, for
the Igreja Presbiteriana do Brasil, in whose name they work, and for the
Kingdom under whose greater authority they minister.
At the end of the presentations, pastor
Carlos Henrique (institutional chaplain), chosen by his peers to speak in their
names, said words of honor and gratitude to the friend Augustus – at moments he
was clearly moved... Beautiful words of admiration, respect and regard – all
clearly visible in the looks and words of all the other chaplains. They gave Augustus
a beautiful gift and the opportunity to make his feelings known. Then, pastor
Carlos Henrique concluded with what I believe sums up the entire sentiment. He
said, “Pastor Augustus, we are very sad with your leaving..." But he then graciously added something that did good to my
heart, "...but we are also happy that pastor Davi is the one appointed to
come and continue with us what you, and above all, the Lord, have done”.
All of this was day before yesterday,
Thursday, May 23, 2013. After the meeting with the chancellor and chaplains, I
stayed briefly with Augustus in his office and then the two of us went down to
the garage, along with pastor Fernando. I drove home, and upon arrival,
went with my beloved to the home of my parents for a little more heart-comfort.
Pastor Wadislau heard me tell about the day, expressed his paternal support and
then we said goodbye.
With such an emotion-packed day, Adriana and
I decided to stretch our night a bit and so some hard labor on the farm on
which we live... With rubber boots and raincoats, wheelbarrow, shovels and
spades, we spent some time and energy, spreading stones and gravel on our
inside road that had been damaged by the rain of the day before. This hard work
for our arms sometimes does good to the body and soul, specially when our
emotions are erupting. Of course Adriana only pushed the wheelbarrow when it
was empty, and I did not let her handle shovel or spade... When I got tired we
went to bed, me and the one who is my reward for the work with which I fatigue
myself under the sun (Ecclesiastes 9).
Back to the beginning, yesterday I got up
later, at eight AM, instead of the 5:30 of previous days. At the very beginning
I wrote about the friendly faces that I found upon arriving at CPAJ for my last
day of work there. I entered my office finding comfort in the fact that
CPAJ does not belong to me, does not even belong to my peers, to our students, to
JET or IPB – it belongs to Christ, the One who is my Lord, Lord of my peers, of
my students, of Mackenzie, of JET, of IPB
and of all things... Therefore, there really is no saying goodbye,
because I proceed, serving the same Lord and in the same Harvest Field.
Soon after arriving, I went to pastor
Mauro’s office to call him to the office that no longer would be mine... On
returning, I found pastor Emílio Garófalo Neto, my beloved cousin, blessed pastor
and multi-talented professor – he was saying goodbye after a week giving a
graduate course as visiting professor at CPAJ. A cup of coffee with
Mauro, brotherly, affectionate greetings from Hothir and Sunamita, a strong hug
from Valdeci... It was now time to proceed to a churrascaria for the official
farewell luncheon. As we got there, what was my surprise at finding, not only all
my partners at CPAJ, together, but also RE Solano Portela, a friend and
Vice-president of IPB’s National Board of Theological Education, and pastor
Roberto Brasileiro, friend and president of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church of Brasil. Only my friend Tarcízio was absent, due to
family duties, and my friend Augustus, who is in Recife
How pleasant to be at the table with all
my colleagues! But how difficult to hold back the heart when Mauro began
his short speech, followed by speeches by RE Solano and pastor Roberto. Each
one expressed personal, affectionate words, recognizing supposed merits and
qualities in me that I myself cannot recognize – word of which I am not worthy,
except for the fact that we are in Christ and used by Him, which make us
receive a dignity that would never exist in and of ourselves. At the same time,
the three orators quieted my heart as they clearly left the message that all this was only the end of one phase of the
ministry done together in the Lord and for the Lord – our fight and our
co-laboring continues! This is what, summed up, I heard from them and it
comforted my heart!
We returned to CPAJ and pastor Mauro and I
went to his office where we wrote the last documents that needed both of our
signatures. It was time to go, and I was in a hurry because there was still a
doctor’s appointment at the end of the afternoon. I spoke by phone with pastor
Roberto Brasileiro, said goodbye to Sunamita and Hothir, then Rafael and
Márcia, and then my friend Mauro, who now answers alone for the direction of CPAJ,
decided to go with me on the last long walk leaving the institution which I had
been honored to serve these last ten years. He carried the chair I had been
given to take with me and we went to the parking
lot, where we embraced and said words of brotherhood and friendship that will
remain only between us and in our hearts. Hurriedly we said, "see you next
week..."
On my way home, I spoke by phone to
several of these dear ones (using the car’s hands-free device, of course,
because I would not be breaking any
laws...). I talked with Solano, Mauro, Valdeci and Jedeías, and also talked
with Sunamita. Arriving at home I found the tenderness of Adriana, of my sons
Daniel and Rafael, my parents, Wadislau and Elizabeth and my brother Daniel.
Every one of them was waiting to hear about this last day and encourage
and comfort me: it was celebration and emotion.
Then, before going to sleep, I thought about
sharing this narrative with those that might be interested – I decide I would
write this in my blog. More than just sharing the story, I desired an opportunity
to honor and thank the many people who have been part of my story, doing this
on my terms, in a written register, in this transitional moment.
I shall have three rest-days next week,
then we have a short national holiday. I will be speaking at the Fiel
Jovem conference during next weekend. Next Monday, June 3rd., I will be
with Augustus celebrating his ten years in the Chancellery with thanksgiving to
God and then being installed as the XIII Chancellor of Mackenzie Presbyterian
University
If you are reading this report, do not
seek or see it more than a mere expression of a grateful heart to God, full of
affection and emotion, ready for the new challenges, but most of all, depending
on the grace of the Lord! This grace makes me lift my voice in gratitude
for the many people who have blessed me and have been my companions in the
marvelous adventure of living coram deo!
To Him be glory, power
and honor, always!
Mogi das Cruzes, May 25th, 2013
_____________________________________________
To God, my gratitude, for brethren and coleagues...
- for my wife and children: Adriana, Rafael and Daniel;
- for my parents, Wadislau and
- for my siblings, Deborah and Daniel;
- for my extended family, Joarez and Marisa, John,
Márcia, Flavio, Bianca, Andrea, Deborah and Claudio;
- for my nephews: Matthew, Felipe, Timothy,
Leticia, Davizinho, Nicoli, Ruth, Jonathan, Luca;
- for my local church and colleagues in the session: Wadislau,
Heber, Alderi, Márcio, David and Rinaldo;
- for pastor Roberto;
- for JET, the present one and the two previous ones;
- for Solano,
Eli, Jaime, Damócles;
- for CRIE:
Eliezer, Solano, Ludgero, Roberto;
- for the Curators and the Board at Mackenzie;
- for chancellor Augustus;
- for the
administrators at Mackenzie: Mauricio, Solano, Anaor, Jose Paulo; Wallace;
Benedito and Marcel;
- for my co-workers at CPAJ: Sunamita, Andrea,
Marcia, Hothir and Rafael,
- and, today, especially for my brothers, partners -- my pares:
Alderi,
Augustus,
Daniel,
Fabiano,
Heber,
Heber
Jr,
Jedeías,
João
Alves,
João
Paulo,
Leandro,
Mauro,
Tarcízio,
Valdeci.
