03/29/2024
It is one of those gifts of God’s grace when a young man or woman has someone give them a chance. For me that “someone” was Howard Brammer.
After losing my own father way too young, he became like a second, loving father and respected older brother to me when he invited me to join him at Traders Point Christian Church just short of 30 years ago.
TPCC was a community I had a hunch, and later learned, was just about the healthiest church community on the planet. This was in no small part due to Howard’s teaching, cultivation, and leadership.
That invitation changed the trajectory of my life, and that of my family, in beautiful and unforeseen ways.
There is so much I could say… hours of stories and valued learnings. Suffice it to say, he spoke into me and helped me to plumb the very depths of who I was, getting down to the elemental parts of character. He loved me, was patient and gracious with me, and showed me that “being” was more valuable than “doing.”
Even after he and Martha had moved to an assisted living facility, they continued to model ministry to others in their sphere, despite their physical limitations. Retirement didn’t mean they were “done.” Others of us should aspire to finish as they have.
Jennifer, I, and our four children will forever be indebted to Howard for his teaching, ministry, and friendship. The quality and caliber of life and ministry we have been able to experience and enjoy are due in such large part to his influence.
As many have already said, it is so fitting that he would be welcomed home by his Savior as we prepare to celebrate this Resurrection Sunday.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
The Stanleys love you and will deeply miss you, Howard.