Tribute
given by Pastor Dean Taylor, Senior Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in
Simpsonville, SC. He was Sandra's pastor and gave a tribute to Sandra in his
blog, Speaking of God.
I don’t
know how many pastors, missionaries, and churches Dr. Jim and Sandra Binney have
helped. I know they have helped me. Sandra fought hard and long, but ultimately
the cancer that afflicted her was the means God used to take her from her
earthly body and bring her to her eternal home just after 3 am, Sunday, April
19.
My first
acquaintance with the Binneys was at Northland Family Camp about
ten years ago. Jim helped my heart and my church then. I remember him calling
Sandra “drop-dead gorgeous.” She is! We loved them so much that week that we took
them home with us. Jim was free the weekend following camp and agreed to come
to our church and preach that Sunday.
My
appreciation for the Binneys grew when I was called to pastor Calvary Baptist Church in 2003. Jim had been the interim pastor
for the previous year. He and Sandra faithfully guided the flock through a
critical transition period and prepared the way for the new shepherd.
Since
then, Jim has been a mentor to me, encouraging and praying for me, counseling me
through struggles, and helping me with some extremely challenging ministry
issues. Jim has driven me deep into the Word. He has shown me how to
experience fullness of life in Jesus Christ. I can honestly say that I would
not be ministering today were it not for Jim and Sandra Binney’s influence in my
life.
Sandra
is warm, gracious and dignified. She is the ultimate in extending hospitality.
She has been Jim’s partner in making many discouraged, hurting, fallen servants
of God feel welcome, at ease, and comfortable sharing their deepest struggles so
that they could receive genuine, nonjudgmental, life-giving counsel. She has
played a vital role in restoring hurting, desperate, broken ministry workers to
wholeness and fruitfulness.
Jim and
Sandra together have rescued many, many servants of God — their personal lives,
marriages, and ministries — from defeat and ruin. They have prevented many
problems as well by equipping through conferences, books, and personal counsel.
Jim is the preacher, counselor, and writer, but Sandra has always been his
perfect complement and assistant. Only the Master knows all that Sandra has
done for His servants and His name.
I hurt
for Jim. I miss Sandra. I wonder if the members and ministers of Christ’s body
will realize what we have lost.
I know
Sandra is already enraptured in the eternal celebration. Her being there
heightens my anticipation.
Enjoy,
Sandra. We’ll be there soon.