One day after turning 70, Kent Metzger passed from life to life. His death marked the terminus of his earthly life but opened the door to his Christian hope of returning with a new and resurrected body.
The uncertainty of life bears down upon us all, and death is yet another reminder of the vanity of all worldly pursuits. Accepting the death of a loved one is not easy. It’s unnatural and bears a painful reverberating finality. Nevertheless, it serves as the final tutor for all those who remain with ears to hear and a heart to receive instruction. Its occasion produces a solemn reminder that we all must cross its threshold and in that consideration prepares us for our own forthcoming departure.
And this is where Kent Metzger lived. He was ready for his death day. He was said to have quipped, “I’ll be in heaven soon, and all you suckers will still be down here.”
And so, as I consider my dear brother in Christ, Kent Metzger, I am struck by his initiative, optimism, and sensitivity to those around him.
Initiative
Often, Kent would share his Nuggets of Truth and Pearls of Wisdom. These “sayings” were connected to the Bible and related to life. One such Nugget of Wisdom that was shared by Kent was that “God is Jehovah Jireh, our great Provider.”
When the GAP discipleship ministry was launched, Kent and his wife, Nancy, responded and served sacrificially as one of GAP’s host families. During that time, they were discerning and thoughtful as they invested their lives together in the next generation.
Optimism
At the end of our fourth-year GAP commissioning ceremony, Kent pulled me aside and said, “Hey, I’m thinking about joining the boys in GAP’s running program this year. What do you think?” He wanted to run the 1/2 marathon! I told him to jump in! He didn’t, but he was still optimistic!
Moreover, I watched him face challenging situations discipling some of the GAP students, and he persistently maintained a positive attitude while believing the best outcome was ahead.
Sensitivity
Kent felt the hurts and needs of those around him. It moved him to serve faithfully on Denton Bible’s prayer team, as well as offer care and support for anyone within his sphere of influence.
He honored his wife, Nancy, and held her in a dignified position leading him to share with one of the GAP students, “Your spouse should be your best friend.” The GAP student affirmed that Kent practiced what he preached. The student said of Kent, “I got to watch him live this out every day in the ways he’d interact and care for Mrs. Metzger.”
We honor you, Kent Metzger, and thank you for giving us yet another example of how to live and die as a Christian, faithful to God and what He provides.
“But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.”
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
— October 6, 2022