Comments for Memory Blog

Comment on Elmo Parish – 1934-2012 by Pastor Jim Efaw

Pastor Jim Efaw — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:20:50 +0000

I first preached in Elmo’s church in the summer of 1963 with a BJU ensemble. I saw him again for the first time when I moved to Denver in 1991. We crossed paths from time to time and I was always impressed with his love for the Lord and tireless enthusiasm. I was amazed while up in years that he took on the ministry in Australia. He was a faithful man, a good man. a man who loved the Lord and spent his lfie serving Him.

Comment on Elmo Parish – 1934-2012 by Dan Obholz

Dan Obholz — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 02:13:16 +0000

I have so many good memories of Pastor Parish from my days of growing up under his ministry. It seems like only a few days ago but in some ways a long time ago. Time will soon pass and we all be together again. I look forward to meeting again. What a day that will be.

Comment on Information About the Funeral by Mike Coghlan

Mike Coghlan — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:11:30 +0000

Dear Hazel, Mike Coglan asked us (Bob and Becky Hein) to pass on his condolences. He expressed how much Elmo ministered to him and how Elmo’s ministry encouraged him to stay faihtful. Mike appreciated Elmo’s ministry here in Australia very much. He was an honest man who stood for truth. .. Bob.

Comment on Elmo Parish – 1934-2012 by Pastor Joe Ward

Pastor Joe Ward — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:13:13 +0000

So many thoughts and memories of Bro. Elmo flood my mind at this time.
I recall that I first met him when he and Hazel moved to Greenville to care for Hazel’s ailing mother. I was serving as an intern at Hampton Park Baptist Church and Bro. Elmo was working on the custodial staff at the church. He had left a fruitful pastorate to assume the role of a janitor for the sake of his wife and his family. To him, it was obvious to me, this was perfectly fine. He, like another great servant of the Lord, had truly learned to be content in whatever state he was. I was drawn to Bro. Elmo by his humility and sincerity. As a future pastor, he immediately took me under his wing and began mentoring me and preparing me for the pastoral ministry. The insights and wisdom he provided me have stood the test of time and experience. They have been and continue to be invaluable to me.
I remember that Hampton Park began a number of chapels at several apartment complexes in the Greenville area as a means of sharing the Gospel and ministering to the residents of the various complexes. From the very beginning and for the entire time that I conducted one of those chapel ministries, Bro. Elmo and Hazel were there every week with Barbara and me. Bro. Elmo led the singing and Hazel played a little, portable organ that we would carry to the services each week. Bro. Elmo was a much better and more experienced preacher, but he wanted to help me develop as a pastor and a preacher. He and Hazel would be content with just serving, helping, and encouraging Barbara and me. I did not realize at the time the impact that Bro. Elmo was having and would continue to have on my life and ministry.
What a great thrill it was, a number of years later, to be able to partner together with Bro. Elmo and Hazel as one of their supporting churches when they went to the field of Australia. That partnership has continued as the Lord directed them from the field of Australia to the field of Utah. The occasions of visits from Bro. Elmo and Hazel have been wonderful and blessed times of fellowship for us.
I feel a profound sense of loss at the passing of one who was both a dear brother in Christ as well as a mentor in the ministry. I believe that I never really considered just how much Bro. Elmo influenced and encouraged me in the very early stages of my ministry until his passing caused me to reflect upon it. I have no doubt that the Lord will credit much of the fruit of my ministry to his account for he has definitely had a part in making me into the pastor & chaplain that I am today. I was greatly blessed to know Bro. Elmo as my friend and mentor.
Pastor Joe Ward

Comment on Elmo Parish – 1934-2012 by Wayne & Jenny Zimmermann

Wayne & Jenny Zimmermann — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:08:18 +0000

What a comfort to know that there is more to life than just physical existence!
Absent from the body, present with the Lord.

Comment on Information About the Funeral by Art & Deb Brammer

Art & Deb Brammer — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:56:28 +0000

We thank the Lord for a life lived that was marked by faithfulness and fruitfulness. Our paths crossed his in several ways over a number of decades. We pray that the God of all comfort will strengthen the family and renew their eagerness for “the blessed hope.”

Comment on Elmo Parish – 1934-2012 by Dean and Peggy (Locke) Babb

Dean and Peggy (Locke) Babb — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:30:24 +0000

Several months after Pastor Elmo and Hazel came to Lamar to pastor Calvary Baptist Church, they asked me to go to Brighton, Colorado to a meeting with Dr. Howard of ACE schools. Winneceta McClave also went. That was the beginning of getting Lamar Christian Schools. It was such a blessing to be part of the vision God had given Pastor to start LCS. My oldest daughter, Brenda, has been blessed with a gift of music. Mrs. Parish was her piano teacher. Brenda was opening the hymnal then reading the words of a song and playing the piano while she was in kindergarten. Our family was blessed by the teaching and encouragement we received through our friendship with the Parish family.

Comment on Information About the Funeral by Joel Korver

Joel Korver — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 01:18:23 +0000

Elmo Parish–A child of the King,
A brother in the Lord,
A fellow soldier in God’s army,
A disciple-maker of men,
Faithful to the end,
A lover of men’s souls,
Committed to declaring God’s Word,
Demonstrator of Godly family love,
At home at last.
What a blessing Elmo has been to so many!

Comment on Elmo Parish – 1934-2012 by Kevin & Sandra Currell

Kevin & Sandra Currell — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 04:24:37 +0000

We got to know Elmo and Hazel initially as we manned our displays side-by-side at National Baptist Fellowship meetings in Australia. Our shared passion for children’s ministry drew us into a working relationship, it included me (Kevin) speaking at VBS and so on at Northside BC and culminated in having the privilege of illustrating several of Elmo’s Billabong Church stories. During that time our love and appreciation of Elmo, with his caring and passionate servant’s heart, grew very deep. Elmo was also extremely prolific in his output, and I just wish I had an extra couple of arms to have been able to keep up with him! I and many others still use dear Bro Elmo’s stories for the furtherance of the Gospel and the nurturing of his ‘little’ (and big) saints; and eternity will reveal the extent of the legacy of this modern-day hero of the faith. Our prayers and love are with Hazel as she faithfully soldiers on in anticipation of a glorious reunion in our precious Saviour’s presence.

Comment on Elmo Parish – 1934-2012 by Steve and Katie Diachenko

Steve and Katie Diachenko — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:58:22 +0000

I am so thankful that the Lord allowed us to meet Elmo and Hazel Parish. As we are preparing to serve the Lord in a land very dear to them, they took such personal interest in us. Their warmth and humility were a great blessing. After living his life for those things which last forever, he has now gone on to reep the benefits of the message he proclaimed.