Eldridges with PastorRoncone at the newproperty siteDEDICATED TO HARVEY ANDVELMA ELDRIDGEThe 1997 movie, Amistad, was based on a true story of 53Africans who were illegally seized by the slave trade in 1839.Captured and accused of mutiny, the Africans were tried asslaves. At one point in the movie, John Quincy Adams tries tocommunicate to a slave named Cinque the enormity of the challenge that lay beforethem. Adams assures Cinque that the persecuted Africans will not face the challengealone but will be represented by lawyers. Feeling a sense of destiny upon his shoulders,Cinque responds:I will call into the past—far back to the beginning of time—and beg my ancestors to comeand help me at the judgment. I will reach back and draw them into me and they mustcome. For at this moment, I am the whole reason that they have existed at all.As we approach the monumental task of relocating this ministry, I share Cinque’ssense of responsibility and respect for the past. In over 70 years of this church’s history,Aurora First Assembly has been pastored by only seven men. The average tenureof a pastor is over 10 years. I stand on the shoulders of men whose faith, commitment,and sacrifice leave me deeply indebted to them. Three of the seven stand out as giants.C. N. Bishop was the pioneer whose vision gave birth to the church in 1933. JamesBoulware led the church for over 17 years. His bold vision, grand expectations, andlove for people led to the relocation of the entire ministry to our present site and itsspacious sanctuary. Immediately following him, Howard Cummings left a 27-year legacyof growth, mission, and expansion. Pastor Cummings would lead the churchthrough multiple additions, ministry expansion, and historic levels of missions involvement.Without a doubt, strong, decisive, and visionary leadership has been a constantlegacy in our church’s history. However, strong leadership has not been the only contributingfactor to success. Overlapping six of the past seven seasons of pastoral leadershiphave been two towering pillars of faith, Harvey and Velma Eldridge. Since 1942,they have been rolling up their sleeves and faithfully working, laboring, praying, andsacrificing as dedicated laypeople. They have been a blessing to each and every pastorGod has sent them. They have been an example of Christlikeness to each and everyperson they have worked with. They have inspired each and every generation that hasbeen blessed to know them. Their steadfast spirit has carried this church through uncertainstorms, and their humble grace has been an example to us in seasons of success.9
That is why I must dedicate this book to them—not because of their sacrifice in thepast but because of what they have taught us about the future. That is why we mustsucceed, endure, and build upon their vision. So like Cinque, let us call into the pastfor strength. Let us draw close to the stuff of their spirit. For at this moment, the future isthe whole reason that they have existed.10
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