A tribute to Mike Roth

This morning as I was walking around the construction site I was thinking and praying for all the safety of the workers. Mike Roth was one that came to mind. Mike is the father of two wonderul young children Ashley and Travis. He is a very hard worker and an honest friend. He thinks in practical ways to the degree that I often come home and tell my wife Jackie that he is a genius. Mike was one of the crew that helped build the waterfall when everyone thought was impossible. He along with Gary Child, Rob Mc Junkin, Matt Bechtel and others worked almost every Saturday for a year and pulled it off. Mike is the kind of guy that just makes things happen. Think of all the people of all ages that have enjoyed that waterfall due to the commitment of these young dad's. The Roth family loves to laugh, roller skate, dance, and sing. Once Mike cut off his thumb on one of his construction projects and he calmly went to the hospital. He is a tough guy. In fact, he could play Hercules in the next play -- but Hercules is a mythical figure and he does not appear in the scripture. His wife Tara is a brilliant computer engineer and manager. Together they and their extended family are just the salt of the world. I can't tell you how many times Mike comes up with a tractor to fix something at the church. He just gets things done and really does not care who gets the credit. In fact, he will probably be a little embarrassed about this article but people should know the stories of the wonderful people who are stretching our investement in building this recreation center. The church that I grew up in had such a man and his name was Lloyd Sanders. The Cathedral of Joy would not be there if it were not for people like Lloyd. After Lloyds funeral I wept as I drove back over the mountains to Seattle thinking about his impact on my life and so many others. Mike is that kind of man - as a very old man, when he dies, the kids who have grown up in the church - swimming in the pool and playing basketball in the gym, hanging out in the cafeteria reading a book they checked out from the church library while their parents received counseling at the counseling center. And when they realize that this church would not be here except for this tough construction worker they will weep. I got to work here at 8:00 am this Saturday morning and there on the contruction site working all by himself was Mike. Praise God we are all part of a wonderful miracle that will bless generations