I have written tributes over the years to men and women who have significantly influenced my spiritual journey. Too often those tributes come after those inspiring followers of Jesus went home to Heaven. I have another spiritual hero who will soon be united with Jesus. My friend and my pastor Jeff Denton is near the end of his cancer journey. I wanted to write this while he is still able to hear what his testimony has meant to me because too often we save those words for memorial services.
Waterbrook Bible Fellowship Lead Pastor Jeff Denton has been one of the most amazing leaders I have ever had the opportunity to serve under. His skill set would make me jealous if he wasn’t such a kind and grace filled friend. Jeff is a talented preacher, visionary director, administrator, counselor, creative writer, and inspirational leader. I know! How does a medium size church in Wylie, Texas find a leader like that? Clearly it was God’s sovereign plan to bring Jeff to Waterbrook Bible Fellowship fifteen years ago.
Pastor Jeff took a church at the crossroads of success or failure and built a solid foundation of community, grace, and love for one another. As the church was poised to explode in growth the pandemic hit. Once again, Jeff provided leadership that was exceptionally wise. Waterbrook came out of the pandemic quagmire and was again ready to thrive. No one was prepared for the news we received in June of 2022. Pastor Jeff was diagnosed with a rare form of bile duct cancer that was inoperable and medically incurable. The doctors said his time remaining could be as little as five months.
The diagnosis was devastating to the congregation. The volume of prayer was amazing but the cancer Jeff was fighting was incredibly difficult. Jeff dealt with nausea and severe pain on a daily basis. I was privileged to drive him to his treatments on many days and the conversations we shared are a treasure to my heart. I could write my longest blog ever about the impact Jeff has had on my life and faith but I want to focus on a couple of things.
The first lesson is when you trust God completely and faithfully through trials you will be a light in the darkness for those around you. Pastor Jeff trusted that God would redeem his difficult journey. He didn’t know what that would look like but Jeff lived everyday with the belief that God was present.
I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have been encouraged, blessed, and inspired by Pastor Jeff’s unrelenting faith. When he received his daily infusion treatments the oncology nurses would introduce other patients to Jeff for prayer and encouragement. Some of those hospital staff members visited Waterbrook Church to hear him speak. Jeff’s heart and concern for others as his own health deteriorated rapidly was so touching. I watched him live out what it looks like to apply the words that Paul wrote to the church at Philippi.
”I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.“
Philippians 4:11-13 NLT
Pastor Jeff showed me and countless others how that verse looks when applied in tough trials. Most of us have read and commented on that verse. But that truth impacts others for the Gospel when you actually live it. That is what my friend Jeff has done. He preaches it. He lives it. He showed that he was content because of the strength he received from Christ. That is why his life has touched so many people in our congregation and in our community.
The second thing I learned from Pastor Jeff’s journey is you make a choice when life takes a tough turn. You can either quit or you can live fully in each moment for as long as you can. We have witnessed Jeff showing up for church and church events when he clearly did not feel his best. But he showed up with joy in his heart and spirit. Pastor Jeff’s favorite scripture about God’s will is found in 1 Thessalonians.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:15-18, NLT)
Jeff shared the verse with us. Then he lived it. In the deepest valley he still showed joy, a prayerful spirit, and a heart of gratitude. That is what I want to do as I honor my friend and pastor for the rest of my journey. We prayed for healing. God granted us much more time than the original prognosis. I will be forever grateful for that extra time.
Soon I will have my last opportunity to visit with Jeff. Here is the thing that gives me the most hope and joy in this difficult moment. My last word to him each time I leave will not be goodbye. I will say this with 100 percent confidence.
“See you later.”
I am already looking forward to that reunion some day.
DIANE BEST
Thank you for sharing!! I worked at a church with Jeff. I sang songs with Jeff. I helped both Deana and Jeff taking care of their children, Amelia and JJ. I loved the whole family and I was very glad to see that he was able to be the pastor of Waterbrook Bible Fellowship. I visited there one time when you were still in the school. What a ministry he had at the church and the community. He was well loved here in Illinois and Texas.
Diane Best