Those who were able to join us for Christmas caroling will probably remember Lewis Atkins as the gentleman who stepped out and joyfully sang along with his caroling visitors despite the cold night.  Over the past year, he and his dear friend, Matsue Erece, have brought that same joy to worship on Sunday mornings with all of us, their new church family.  

Lewis was born in 1929 in West Virginia and was raised by his Christian mother and his father who was a barber by trade, but a religious music instructor by heart.  Committed to only teaching Christian music, a few of his students went on to sing with more famous quartets like “Four Keys to the Kingdom” and “Four Clouds of Joy.”  Lewis entered the Marine Guard in 1948 and then joined the Air Force for the rest of his military career.  He worked in aircraft, automobile, and missile crash rescue, serving in Korea, Japan, Okinawa and Guam, and eventually went on to missile safety.  His service brought him to Vandenberg AFB in the summer of 1960.  He retired from the military in 1969 and entered the private sector, working for United Technology Chemical Systems as a division planning analyst until 1992, when he retired. 

Lewis received salvation by faith as a young boy.  “Like many young men do, I strayed and didn’t follow the Lord like I should have.  But He eventually brought me back in the graciousness of His love,” says Lewis.  Lewis has a deep and mature understanding of the Lord’s perseverance of a believer, knowing that his salvation is safe and secure. 

“I apologize to him every day for what I do wrong - He just forgives us for any and all of our sins,” says Lewis.  “If we will just come to Him and be honest with Him, He gives us a peace and a joy that we never knew we could have.”  Lewis’ faith has carried him through the trials of heart attacks, strokes, and major surgery that have brought him to the brink of death, yet death holds no fear for him.  “I tell my family not to worry, that if something happens I’m going to heaven and there I will be beside my Lord!”

Lewis’ family consists of a daughter whose mother has passed away.  His daughter had his two grandsons, who had his four great-grand-children, who added the latest generation to Lewis’ family line, a great-great-grandchild born two months ago!  The family lives back in Virginia and Ohio and Lewis is considering taking the train back to see them if his health will allow it

Lewis spent most of 2006 ill and in recovery at the Solvang Lutheran Home.  He was touched by the ministry of Community Church there and was grateful to finally find a church family that could replace the church he loved and attended for many, many years in Lompoc.  “I appreciate everyone in my church family,” he says.  “They’re good people.  We all need a reminder to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk.  Our savior spilled His blood for us.  We can freely go to Him with what we do wrong and He WILL forgive us.”

 *Interview by Anjie Park