When I was a teenager, someone gave me a pin with the inscription, “You have touched me, I have grown.” This saying gained its full meaning for me when I got to know Neb and Martha Cline while working in the development office at North Greenville College (now University).
CarltonNeb and Martha Cline taught me much about life, about giving to others, and about showing mercy and kindness to those less fortunate. I will always remember a part of Martha’s prayer before every meal: “Lord, help me to be ever mindful of the needs of others.” That is the way they both lived their lives.
Early on in our relationship, they shared with my husband Mike and me a story of visiting the island of St. Vincent. It was evident that God had his hand on the Clines, guiding them on a path that would advance his kingdom on that small island in the West Indies. They arrived in St. Vincent on a cruise ship. Neb and Martha chose a cab for a tour of the island. Throughout the day, they got to know their driver as Pastor Gibson. He shared with them that he had a congregation, but no church home. This budding relationship with Pastor Gibson sparked an interest with Neb and Martha that led them to help establish the Fundamental Bible Church. They started with the purchase of the land and continued with their support until the church building was completed.
Fundamental Bible ChurchThey returned to the island for the dedication of the church. Seeing the church building and what it meant to the congregation so impressed them. They felt God’s hand on the ministry and were hopeful that it would grow and flourish.
Shortly before Martha’s death, I asked her the name of the church and the pastor’s name, and I recorded it in my address book. I had an overwhelming desire to visit the island some day and find the church. About 18 months ago, I happened to see a cruise on the Internet that had a brief stop on the island of St. Vincent. We booked it immediately and waited with great anticipation.
The day finally arrived on Jan. 11, 2011, a beautiful tropical day. We disembarked with our walking shoes on, armed with our cameras and plenty of bottled water. I asked a security guard about the location of the Fundamental Bible Church. She gave me general directions and said we could safely walk to it, but it would be a couple of miles.
We stopped at a nearby shop and used the phone to call the church but did not get an answer. We continued our trek through the town, past the hospital, up the mountain toward the botanical garden, as directed. The island people were friendly and helpful when we asked for directions.
Upon stepping foot on the church property, I was overcome with emotion. I stood there in the midst of tears and thought about the joy Neb and Martha must have felt the day of the dedication and how blessed I had been to have known them. I felt the presence of God there. The church is located at the foot of the mountain in a residential area. The views from the church back to the harbor are breathtaking.
The view of the harbor from the church grounds.After taking a lot of photos and looking the church over, we began our walk back into town. We stopped at the gatehouse of the botanical garden and asked to see the guard’s phone directory to look for Pastor Gibson’s home number. We were able to call the Gibson home and spoke with the pastor’s wife.
Mrs. Gibson was ecstatic to hear from us. They had lost contact with Martha and were not aware of her death. Unfortunately, Pastor Gibson was not home. (Apparently he is still running his cab service.) We were unable to make contact with him because of the early departure of our ship from the island. Mrs. Gibson told us he had two other pastors helping him now with the ministry on the island, and they have started two additional churches since the Fundamental Bible Church was founded.
What a blessing it was to see the benefits of that very generous act of kindness from Neb and Martha Cline and the ripple effect it has had on the advancement of God’s kingdom on the island of St. Vincent. The pastor was given confidence and motivation through his relationship with Neb and Martha to continue his work to spread the gospel and provide a place of worship for the people of St. Vincent.
Neb and Martha Cline lived the testament of Philippians 2:4: “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” God showered the Clines with blessings, and they, in turn, showered others with blessings.
I think the old saying “You have touched me, I have grown” epitomizes the relationship I remember when I think of Neb and Martha Cline. I am a better person for having known them.