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A walk with Christ shared
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| Pastor Wendel Craker works at his desk at Clayton Presbyterian Church as he prepares for his final sermon scheduled for Sunday morning. |
By Justin Raines Staff Writer
After nearly three decades of leading Sunday services at Clayton Presbyterian Church, pastor Wendel Craker is preparing to deliver his final sermon Sunday.
Craker, a self-described "perpetual student," left his job in 1986 at the Toccoa Falls College department of communications to preach full time at Clayton Presbyterian.
Since then, he has captivated the congregation with his down-home style that will be missed by many of the church's members.
"I was pastoring in Winder and going to (The University of Georgia) when I decided to start teaching instead of preaching and found the job at Toccoa Falls," Craker said. "A friend knew I wasn't preaching, and Clayton needed a preacher. I took that on in addition to my teaching."
Church member Jim Horney was part of the search committee that initially invited Craker to preach part time at the church nearly 30 years ago.
"We really didn't look very far," Horney said. "... I went down and interviewed him and instantly liked him. He was relaxed. He was like your cousin Jack. You felt at home with him from the first part of the conversation. He wasn't Presbyterian, which made it a little awkward, but we figured he could jump that hurdle."
After the initial meeting, the committee asked Craker to lead services on Sunday.
"The congregation instantly liked him," Horney said. "He was easy to meet. You felt comfortable around him. He likes people; you could tell that instantly. He'd ask about your family, interests and your vision for the church. He really did his homework. He's a very brilliant person. That trial run came off 100 percent. He got a real good acceptance."
Craker has seen the dynamics of his congregation shift over the years as more people came to Rabun from other locales.
"When I came, it was pretty much a balance with native Rabun countians and people that have moved in," he said. "That balance has by now been tipped, but we still have a good nucleus of local people. The congregation has been remarkable for its unity and sense of family."
Craker offered an anecdote, capturing the diversity seen today between those born in Rabun and those who have moved here from elsewhere.
"One thing I've often used to describe the congregation is that I was impressed when I first came to have two men who took the offering," Craker said. "One had been district manager for AT&T before his retirement. The other was a local Rabun countian not unfamiliar with the bootleg industry. The congregation has been a nice balance between those retiring here and those with roots here. They get along well."
According to members of his church, Craker's easy-going demeanor and heartfelt style connected with the audience in a unique way.
"I've heard many a preacher and would have to say Wendel is the best preacher I've ever heard," church member Fred DiMaio said. "He's sincere, meaningful, all those things. Wendel speaks as much from the heart as anyone I've ever heard. He's captivating and very interesting."
"Any one thing to say about Wendel is he knows what's in the Bible and can tell you about it," Horney said. "He used the Scriptures, but he also blended in a lot of everyday life. He kept his sermons interesting. I don't remember anyone going to sleep on his sermons. I sat in the last pew in the back of the church and could see which heads were nodding."
Craker expressed appreciation for being allowed to talk about "the amazing opportunity for spiritual growth and a dedicated walk with Jesus Christ."
"I'm grateful for a congregation that has let me talk about these things," he said.
Craker will deliver his final sermon Sunday followed by a closing ceremony to formally end his tenure at Clayton Presbyterian. In the meantime, visiting ministers will preach while the congregation begins searching for a replacement.
Craker said his departure will be somewhat bittersweet.
"It's mixed emotions," he said. "I think I'll probably be like the proverbial milk horse that kept walking the route until he was retired. There are a lot of things I look forward to doing that I haven't had the opportunity to do. I have a little property to develop, grandchildren to see and intellectual interests to pursue. We will be staying in Rabun County."
"We'll miss Wendel," Horney said. "(The congregation) will miss his friendship. He makes them feel like they are part of the church and welcome."
Craker, a self-described "perpetual student," left his job in 1986 at the Toccoa Falls College department of communications to preach full time at Clayton Presbyterian.
Since then, he has captivated the congregation with his down-home style that will be missed by many of the church's members.
"I was pastoring in Winder and going to (The University of Georgia) when I decided to start teaching instead of preaching and found the job at Toccoa Falls," Craker said. "A friend knew I wasn't preaching, and Clayton needed a preacher. I took that on in addition to my teaching."
Church member Jim Horney was part of the search committee that initially invited Craker to preach part time at the church nearly 30 years ago.
"We really didn't look very far," Horney said. "... I went down and interviewed him and instantly liked him. He was relaxed. He was like your cousin Jack. You felt at home with him from the first part of the conversation. He wasn't Presbyterian, which made it a little awkward, but we figured he could jump that hurdle."
After the initial meeting, the committee asked Craker to lead services on Sunday.
"The congregation instantly liked him," Horney said. "He was easy to meet. You felt comfortable around him. He likes people; you could tell that instantly. He'd ask about your family, interests and your vision for the church. He really did his homework. He's a very brilliant person. That trial run came off 100 percent. He got a real good acceptance."
Craker has seen the dynamics of his congregation shift over the years as more people came to Rabun from other locales.
"When I came, it was pretty much a balance with native Rabun countians and people that have moved in," he said. "That balance has by now been tipped, but we still have a good nucleus of local people. The congregation has been remarkable for its unity and sense of family."
Craker offered an anecdote, capturing the diversity seen today between those born in Rabun and those who have moved here from elsewhere.
"One thing I've often used to describe the congregation is that I was impressed when I first came to have two men who took the offering," Craker said. "One had been district manager for AT&T before his retirement. The other was a local Rabun countian not unfamiliar with the bootleg industry. The congregation has been a nice balance between those retiring here and those with roots here. They get along well."
According to members of his church, Craker's easy-going demeanor and heartfelt style connected with the audience in a unique way.
"I've heard many a preacher and would have to say Wendel is the best preacher I've ever heard," church member Fred DiMaio said. "He's sincere, meaningful, all those things. Wendel speaks as much from the heart as anyone I've ever heard. He's captivating and very interesting."
"Any one thing to say about Wendel is he knows what's in the Bible and can tell you about it," Horney said. "He used the Scriptures, but he also blended in a lot of everyday life. He kept his sermons interesting. I don't remember anyone going to sleep on his sermons. I sat in the last pew in the back of the church and could see which heads were nodding."
Craker expressed appreciation for being allowed to talk about "the amazing opportunity for spiritual growth and a dedicated walk with Jesus Christ."
"I'm grateful for a congregation that has let me talk about these things," he said.
Craker will deliver his final sermon Sunday followed by a closing ceremony to formally end his tenure at Clayton Presbyterian. In the meantime, visiting ministers will preach while the congregation begins searching for a replacement.
Craker said his departure will be somewhat bittersweet.
"It's mixed emotions," he said. "I think I'll probably be like the proverbial milk horse that kept walking the route until he was retired. There are a lot of things I look forward to doing that I haven't had the opportunity to do. I have a little property to develop, grandchildren to see and intellectual interests to pursue. We will be staying in Rabun County."
"We'll miss Wendel," Horney said. "(The congregation) will miss his friendship. He makes them feel like they are part of the church and welcome."
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