LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup, you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:5-6When Bernie Alspaugh stepped onto the campus at his beloved North Carolina State University, little did he know, God being the Great Planter that He is, was bringing him to fertile ground.
Oh how God loves instruments like that! Let us not let Bernie’s life disappear with his passing. In the spirit of celebrating his example, we are starting a campus ministry fund here in Greensboro to honor his name and heart for the campus ministry. You can donate to the fund by sending checks to the Piedmont Triad Church, 4300 Quail Canyon Court, Greensboro, NC 27410.
Here is the eulogy shared by Wyndham Shaw who was close to Bernie and led in this ministry from 1974-1977...
To Bernie our dear friend and fellow worker … our fellow soldier and to the church in NC
posted by Jerry Maday, Worcester, MA
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I am grateful that you have been active in sharing your faith, so that you had a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” Philemon 1:1-7 (Paraphrased for this special occasion)
Few occasions have caused more of a dilemma for me personally than having to choose between my sister’s wedding and being with my family and Bernie’s funeral and being with his family both spiritual and physical! I want to express my love and sympathy to Brandon, Lindsay and Kristen and all the family! It was a great honor for me when he asked me to do his funeral many years ago after the Lou Gehrig’s disease set in! I am so grateful that God gave him and us many more years of being together in God’s kingdom on earth. I also rejoice that now Bernie has run the race, fought the good fight and gone to receive the crown laid up for all who follow his example and live a life worthy of the Gospel!
I have used the above scripture because is sets forth the three ways I most remember Bernie and his role in my life and so many others! I will forever remember him as a:
All Christians are called to take a stand in this world as good soldiers of Jesus but too few engage this courageous and resolute posture! From the beginning as a young disciple at NCSU he was willing to take a stand on the truth of scripture and for the name and cause of Christ! Many from those early college years until today have been persuaded by Bernie’s use of the scripture and ironclad convictions about Jesus as both Savior and Lord to become disciples! Soldiers do not get entangled in civilian affairs and Bernie whether working a civilian job or serving full time in the ministry or while disabled by the disease that finally took his life always kept a kingdom first and everything else second mentality. While not always understood or appreciated he was always honored by God for not being ashamed of Jesus or His words! He wielded the sword of the Spirit with passion and effectiveness. Often in my years with him both in Raleigh and Charlotte, he challenged and inspired me, as he grew more powerful in the Lord! He like Caleb of the OT never grew weary of the spiritual battle and though physically challenged he kept his spiritual fervor to the end even seeing men converted in this his last year on earth! I have known few men as evangelistically motivated and effective as Bernie! But perhaps most inspiring of all is the way he battled his physical health and did not let it keep him from fulfilling his mission of seeking and saving the lost. Bernie, I am inspired by your faith and spiritual toughness under such a grueling fate. Many things did not turn out for you as desired but you resolutely set your face toward Heaven and by the grace and power of God you made it home!
I have been blessed by God with many fellow workers in the ministry over my 36-year career some of the most special came from very precious years in NC. Many whom I wish I could share this moment with today! Bernie was one of the most memorable partners in ministry both at Brooks Avenue as a student leader at NCSU and then in Charlotte where he led the campus ministry at UNC. Like Jonathan and David we fought battles together but also developed a deep mutual respect for each other as fellow workers! Bernie was tireless in striving to save souls and building the church in both places we served. His Bible talk and campus ministry always led the way inspiring others with fruit, affection and commitment to the Lord! He was the first to volunteer for spiritual adventures or missions and would come back eager to share what he had learned with others. Like Nathan he could be iron sharpening iron not only in what he said but particularly in how he lived. He was not with out his own besetting sins but he sought to take the plank out of his own eye as he helped me with mine! Bernie demonstrated and appreciated loyalty in our relationship on staff and beyond. I only regret we could not spend more time together in his later years! Bernie thanks for making my work a joy as we shared it together and now enjoy your well-deserved rest! No harder worker for the Lord ever shared the harvest fields with me! I will keep on working inspired by your example to the end!
Special friends love us when we deserve it and when we don’t. Their love is unconditional. Transitions, time and distance test our ability to continue to interact and maintain what unique experiences forged. I rarely communicated with Bernie over the last 10-15 years of his life. But I always felt loved by him even if it was other people telling me what he said about our friendship. Bernie gave his heart to me and many others over the years. I know he appreciated the love and affection I felt for him and he refreshed and encouraged me with his! Brother, I long to be with you and all our mutual friends at this time. Know I treasure the moments we had in each other’s presence and the legacy I have heard about you since!
I have lost a dear friend, fellow worker and fellow soldier here on earth but I will eagerly anticipate reuniting with you in your new body in the new heaven and new earth. I am sure you will blow by me for your left hand lay ups I could never stop. I am sure your grin and humor will make me smile and laugh! I don’t know if I will be tall and you short as it was here but I know you stand tall in my memory and will always be part of my heart! I love you my brother and treasure your special love for me! Save my place among the saved and thanks for your faith, perseverance and love! The emotions David had for his fallen friend and fellow soldier Jonathan seem to sum up mine at this moment.
I paraphrase again:
How the mighty have fallen
… In life you were loved and gracious and in death we will not be parted
You were swifter than an eagle and stronger than a lion in your faith
I grieve for you Bernie my brother
You were very dear to me!
See you on the other side!
Wyndham Shaw