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With Campus Cross Walk
Written by: CampUs4 4/7/2009 9:52 AM
Unsung Heroes: Remembering Wade Sharff Tribute by Steven Gaines Campus ministry is not a one-person show. It is a work that God is doing through many Christians. Volunteers often serve in the background, providing necessary and beneficial assistance to the ministry, often before a full-time campus minister arrives on the scene. Wade Scharff was one such “behind the scenes” minister to college students, an “unsung hero.” Long before the Central Church of Christ in Spartanburg, South Carolina, ever thought of hiring a full-time campus minister, Wade Scharff was already serving college students—teaching their Bible class, hosting them in his home, talking and joking with them to help them feel like welcomed members of the church. Two summers ago, a work accident took Wade from us. Since I was new to the Central congregation, I had not had time to get to know him well. After hearing several comments about Wade’s ministry involvement, I started asking people about him. Now, even though I can no longer see or hear Wade, he is still teaching me about ministering with college students. Wade grew up in a family of alcohol abuse, and his parents were not emotionally available to show him the love that every child needs. His wife Connie said, “There were many people who stepped in and out of his life through the years that saw to it that he would have a warm meal once in a while and those that loved him with God’s love and did what they could to discipline him severely enough so he would not end up living a life behind bars.” Because God had put positive influences in Wade’s life, Wade was committed to being a godly influence in other people’s lives. He never stopped sharing his heart and humor with others, especially college students. He started a Bible class for college students and frequently invited them into his home. He was a dedicated and persistent teacher and minister, always available to listen and often going out of his way to speak a word of encouragement to someone who needed it. One of his former students, Grant Mitchell, said that he had not been very involved in Bible classes or other church activities before the college class started, but Wade repeatedly encouraged him to participate until he did. Now Grant is one of the most involved members of the campus ministry. Amy Whitfield, another of Wade’s former students, said she is thankful for the numerous meals and activities that she and other college students enjoyed in the Scharff home, and she still calls Wade and Connie her “other dad” and “other mom.” Wade Scharff loved people, including college students, and he let his heart lead him to thoughtful service. Wade Scharff positively impacted the lives of countless people, especially college students, who remember his attentiveness, his fun-loving personality, and his full commitment to everything he did. He also was an effective teacher, preparing extensively even when he knew that only three or four people planned to be in the class. He taught in a conversational style, beginning with thoughtfully planned questions, encouraging the students to discuss challenging issues they were facing, and leading them to compare their thoughts with biblical teachings. Of course, Wade was not alone in ministering with college students. Susan Glenn said, “He and Connie were a team, completely. So, to say that Wade was a campus ministry hero is only half of the story. He was part of a heroic team.” Grant Mitchell mentioned that George Glenn, an elder in the Central congregation, was instrumental in the early days of the campus ministry. Denny Landrum also was a dedicated teacher for the college class before I arrived. Many people have contributed time and love to this ministry, and I am honored to partner with them and learn from them. Thank God for the “unsung heroes” of campus ministry! Steven Tramel Gaines lives with his delightful wife Tamara and their two funny cats in Spartanburg, SC, where he ministers with college students. You may contact him through Facebook. He occasionally blogs at stevengaines.wordpress.com.
Unsung Heroes: Remembering Wade Sharff
Tribute by Steven Gaines
Campus ministry is not a one-person show. It is a work that God is doing through many Christians. Volunteers often serve in the background, providing necessary and beneficial assistance to the ministry, often before a full-time campus minister arrives on the scene.
Wade Scharff was one such “behind the scenes” minister to college students, an “unsung hero.” Long before the Central Church of Christ in Spartanburg, South Carolina, ever thought of hiring a full-time campus minister, Wade Scharff was already serving college students—teaching their Bible class, hosting them in his home, talking and joking with them to help them feel like welcomed members of the church.
Two summers ago, a work accident took Wade from us. Since I was new to the Central congregation, I had not had time to get to know him well. After hearing several comments about Wade’s ministry involvement, I started asking people about him. Now, even though I can no longer see or hear Wade, he is still teaching me about ministering with college students.
Wade grew up in a family of alcohol abuse, and his parents were not emotionally available to show him the love that every child needs. His wife Connie said, “There were many people who stepped in and out of his life through the years that saw to it that he would have a warm meal once in a while and those that loved him with God’s love and did what they could to discipline him severely enough so he would not end up living a life behind bars.”
Because God had put positive influences in Wade’s life, Wade was committed to being a godly influence in other people’s lives. He never stopped sharing his heart and humor with others, especially college students. He started a Bible class for college students and frequently invited them into his home. He was a dedicated and persistent teacher and minister, always available to listen and often going out of his way to speak a word of encouragement to someone who needed it.
One of his former students, Grant Mitchell, said that he had not been very involved in Bible classes or other church activities before the college class started, but Wade repeatedly encouraged him to participate until he did. Now Grant is one of the most involved members of the campus ministry.
Amy Whitfield, another of Wade’s former students, said she is thankful for the numerous meals and activities that she and other college students enjoyed in the Scharff home, and she still calls Wade and Connie her “other dad” and “other mom.” Wade Scharff loved people, including college students, and he let his heart lead him to thoughtful service.
Wade Scharff positively impacted the lives of countless people, especially college students, who remember his attentiveness, his fun-loving personality, and his full commitment to everything he did. He also was an effective teacher, preparing extensively even when he knew that only three or four people planned to be in the class. He taught in a conversational style, beginning with thoughtfully planned questions, encouraging the students to discuss challenging issues they were facing, and leading them to compare their thoughts with biblical teachings.
Of course, Wade was not alone in ministering with college students. Susan Glenn said, “He and Connie were a team, completely. So, to say that Wade was a campus ministry hero is only half of the story. He was part of a heroic team.” Grant Mitchell mentioned that George Glenn, an elder in the Central congregation, was instrumental in the early days of the campus ministry. Denny Landrum also was a dedicated teacher for the college class before I arrived. Many people have contributed time and love to this ministry, and I am honored to partner with them and learn from them.
Thank God for the “unsung heroes” of campus ministry!
Steven Tramel Gaines lives with his delightful wife Tamara and their two funny cats in Spartanburg, SC, where he ministers with college students. You may contact him through Facebook. He occasionally blogs at stevengaines.wordpress.com.
2 comments so far...
Re: Unsung Heroes: Remembering Wade Scharff Thank you Steven for taking the time to recognize Wade in all of his service. His daughter, Cheri, is my sister-in-law, and I am thankful to have known him and been loved by him.
Re: Unsung Heroes: Remembering Wade Scharff
Thank you Steven for taking the time to recognize Wade in all of his service. His daughter, Cheri, is my sister-in-law, and I am thankful to have known him and been loved by him.
Re: Unsung Heroes: Remembering Wade Scharff You have so successfully captured so much of what I remembered about my dad's involvement in this ministry. He understood what it meant to be lifted up when you needed it most, and lived a life focused on serving others wherever possible. I was truly blessed to have such a wonderful father. Thank you.
You have so successfully captured so much of what I remembered about my dad's involvement in this ministry. He understood what it meant to be lifted up when you needed it most, and lived a life focused on serving others wherever possible. I was truly blessed to have such a wonderful father. Thank you.
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