Pastoring a church at 73

I recently received an email from Nonilo Sanchez, a missionary pastor in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. He has begun a work there of church planting and equipping pastors to see the glory of Christ, teaching them the doctrines of Grace at his “Mobile School.” Here’s an excerpt from the email where he speaks of a pastor who at the age of 78 continues to go deeper and deeper into the Scriptures.

The Sunday service at Community Bible Church in Polonuling that Sunday was a great surpise to me. The Church have grown since the last time I was there which was 4 months ago. There must have been a hundred people on the pews and almost the same number outside the bamboo chapel listening to the Word. I have never preached to this congregation without noticing how hungrily they devour the Word of God taught and
preached to them. I am continually amazed that other evengelical churches in the place had to schedule their services early so that they can rush to CBC to listen to the Word being preached! Asked Pastor Detorio when did this thing started to happen? There is a twinkle in his eyes to surely gave the simple answer, “when we started to teach and preach the PURE WORD of God”.

At 73 this dear brother told me that since taking over the teaching loads in our Mobile School among the
T’boi and B’laan Tribes 4 months ago, he has never understood the Word and enjoyed the riches of the spiritual wealth in it as he does now. Even his own hunger and thirst for God and His Word is kindled as if for
the first time. His sermons and teaching in church others have noticed have truly changed the man and those who listens. Pray for him. We got a pick up truck for him so that he can go around the hills and mountains
here in South Cotabato teaching Pastors and church leaders the glories of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ who is blessed forever! Pray that God will augment our training fund now becoming all the more insufficient for the expanding ministry of the Mobile School.

Faithful and accurately handling the word of truth at 73!

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (2Tim 2:15)

[update: 03/14/2006 - Pastor Detorio is actually 73 years old not 78]