Father Heart: A Tribute

Jerry and Barb Osbron

Pastor Jerry Osbron passed from death to eternal life on Thursday morning, February 16, Philippine time.

Although we had known that he had been seriously ill the past weeks, still I received the news of his homegoing with deep sadness and grief.

Even if time and distance has separated Jerry from us these past two decades, there is that special place in my heart reserved for him alone.

Jerry, as many of us fondly call him, has always been like a father to me.

I first met him one Sunday many years ago, in mid June of 1979. My husband Ernie and I, only a year married, had just moved to Bacolod City that week. At the top of our priorities was to look for a God-honoring, Spirit-led church, one where solid Bible teaching and a vibrant worship experience were available... a church where our spiritual gifts could be honed for service, a local church providing spiritual authority and covering, one where we could grow as members of the local body of Christ.

We were welcomed at the door by a long-haired, medium built, American man. I will never forget the kindness of his face and the warmth of his smile. His handshake was firm and sincere.

As soon as we stepped into 18, 18^th Street, Ernie and I knew we were home. Somehow we knew... we had found what we were looking for.

As a newcomer to the city of Bacolod, almost 33 years ago, I was missing my mother and my father. My husband and his family were very kind to me, but the love of a good father can never really be given by anyone else.

Jerry became my spiritual father from Day One. He always will be.

And this is why, even as I rejoice that he is finally home, where he has longed to be, my heart grieves the death of this man who has loved me and my whole family with a love so selfless and so unconditional... I dare say, there will never be a person like him in my life.

I know that all of us who came under the shelter of his love feel the same way. He taught not so much by words as by example.

Nevertheless he was an anointed teacher. He was an avid student of the Book, and offered us golden nuggets of Bible truths Sunday after Sunday. His teaching was not meant to remain as mere information but challenged and fired us to apply what we heard in our daily lives. We never wanted to miss going to the worship services because we knew what was in store. Going to the 18^th Street church was always a worship experience. Jerry and Barb taught many of us how to worship God freely, openly, and from the heart. We were known as the Baptist Conference Church of Bacolod, but we were probably the only Baptists who raised our hands in worship in the early 1980’s.

We would have a different home Bible study every night of the week... the Monday nights at Tito Awi and Tita Apa Valderrama’s place, the Tuesday nights at Nora Tinsay’s... the Wednesday nights at Baby and Stella Mora’s.... Then on Sunday afternoons, a group of us gathered for what we called Body Life meetings at the living room of the Osbron Residence also on 18^th street.

And in between all those days, there would private counselling sessions with Barb and Jerry for our personal concerns. They never said “No” to any of us. They listened... they prayed. The welcome mat was always rolled out for us.

We felt loved... we felt accepted... we felt valued and cared for.

Jerry was often reprimanded by his leaders for being too “Charismatic” in his ways, but that did not deter him.

He opened his home for counselling to the city of Bacolod. He is a prime example of a second mile Christian. He would even give from his own pocket to help people who were in financial need.

When a daughter of one of us was attacked by malicious vandals, her name in bold letters written on the walls of her school together with some unkind adjectives, Jerry would wake up early in the morning to paint over those words.

From him we all learned what it meant to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

From him we all learned what true forgiveness means... I will never forget what he said about forgiveness.

“You know you have forgiven when you touch the scar on your arm, and it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Even as I write these words, I cannot help my tears from falling.

He worked tirelessly, giving Bible studies to the farm workers of our members... one by one the outreach daughter churches were born...

He was a man who believed in advancing the Kingdom of God in this part of the world.

If there is one word that can describe Jerry Osbron, it is this word: father.

He walked his talk. He lived before us the Father heart of God.

When a friend of mine found out she was pregnant outside wedlock, she went to Pastor Jerry, broken by guilt and shame. What was his response? He put his arms around her, and said, “Dear daughter, you are not judged and condemned, you are accepted and loved as you are.”

He offered to baptize those who had chosen to follow Jesus through the waters of baptism, even if they were not going to become members of the church he pastored. He allowed open communion, meaning that any believer, be he a member of BCCB or not, was welcome to the Lord’s Table at this church.

Again, we knew that the leaders of his denomination had reprimanded him for this.

His reply? We have heard him say this often enough: “I would rather err on the side of mercy than on the side of judgment. For I am secure in my calling – first and foremost I am called to build the kingdom of God and bring people to heaven. It is never my desire to build my own kingdom.”

Words will never be enough to tell the many stories in my heart about this great man of God. Several times he and his wife had visited Ernie and me in the middle of the night, to help me deal with an angry, unforgiving heart. This example of kindness and love melted my heart to pieces.

Jerry was the person who gave me spiritual understanding when my heart was hungry for something more and something deeper. He said, “Your heart is hungry for the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Open your heart to him. He is going to help you soar above the clouds, way above conventional Christianity. Give Him permission to take you beyond the limits of your comfort zone.”

To this man, my mentor and spiritual father, I owe much of what I am today. He taught me how to turn to God for my spiritual hunger to be fed.

“I can only teach you so much. But God is a bottomless well of living water.”

He taught me how to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and how to be a prophetic intercessor.

He taught me how to unlearn the cerebral Christianity that I held on to in spiritual pride... instead, he showed me the path of emptying my heart, that it may be filled with true spiritual riches.

There is a special place of honor in my heart for this man. To me, he is one of God’s greatest gifts.

I will always be grateful to him for having been a model, but of course... the glory belongs to God alone.

Those of us who sat at the feet of Jerry Osbron for the fifteen years that he pastored the Baptist Conference Church of Bacolod can say with confidence that in truth, this man can be given credit for laying the strong and solid foundation of this local body of believers.

Pastor Jerry was a kingdom person. His life was a living sermon.

Farewell, dear and beloved Jerry. I know that the loving Father has already welcomed you into His presence, and I have no doubt that as He put His arms around you, He has already whispered in your ears, “Well done, good and faithful servant... welcome into your eternal rest.”

Though we are sad for the physical loss, our hearts rejoice that you have reached Heaven’s shores.

We will see you again in Eternity. Thank you for your life. You have been such a blessing to all of us, more than words could ever express.