The Many Sayings of Dr. Martin Sanders

 

My last picture with Dr. Martin Sanders

Two days ago, Dr. Martin Sanders passed away. I knew Martin in several capacities. A mentor of mine was one of his best friends, so I heard all about Martin from this mentor. I heard of their friendship and their brotherly love and how Martin walked my mentor through several difficult times. I would see Martin in passing at Nyack College when I was getting my undergrad and would always see a smile on his face and everyone seemed to hug him...all the time. He couldn't walk 10 feet without giving someone a hug.

Before I graduated, I took a job at what is now Living Christ Church. The last few months there were tough and I knew the church was in for a rough go and it was for about 4 years, until Martin went there as an interim pastor. I heard story after story of how the Lord was using Martin to heal the wounds of my old church and I thanked God for him.

Shortly after moving to the Western PA District of the C&MA, Rob Reimer and Martin spoke at our annual district conference. I made it my mission to track Martin down and thank him personally for everything he did and was doing for Living Christ Church, for I love the people and the church to this day. He smiled and gave me a big hug. As he embraced me he said: "Marvin, your legacy lives on at Living Christ Church and I've heard several say you were a bright spot for their kids and for the church. God has big things for you, lean into them". Those words struck me and really ministered to my soul.

After graduating from Crown College with my master's degree in Intercultural Leadership, I knew I wanted to somehow find my way into the D. Min program with him, Rob, and Ron. I applied but didn't know I needed a lot more than 36 credits to get into the program. I knew the Lord was calling me there, but I had no idea how. I had no money to get more credits, so I prayed. Shortly after arriving to my current role as Lead Pastor of Indiana Alliance Church, the Lord made a way for me to go back and get my M. Div from Crown. It was a great program, but I knew it was given to me at this time so I could get into the Doctoral program at ATS.

In 2020, I was able to start my D. Min and that is where I truly experienced the "fullness" of Dr. Martin Sanders. I shared with him some devastating losses of dreams and he said: "I thought you were going to attain those dreams and am shocked you didn't, but keep going, God has something better for you". Again, his words spoke deeply to my heart. Only Martin could see and hear from the Lord what I needed to hear.

It was a blessing to be in his classes, learn from him, and be challenged by him. During that time, I learned a ton of Martinisms. My D. Min triad and I began to list our favorite ones and I felt it would be cathartic for everyone (selfishly myself mostly) to write these down here. I know I am but one of thousands Martin hugged, encouraged, punched in the chest, and loved. These sayings I know were often stated to many others and don't consider myself "special" in this but I simply feel blessed to have them told to me. Below are the many sayings my triad came up with that meant a lot to us.

Martinisms

“Be a man and just do it”

"Find out how good you might be!"

"NO ONE HAS SEEN THE BEST OF WHO YOU WILL BECOME"

"Stop playing humble…. START BEING HUMBLE!!!"

“Make it count”

“You’ve dreamed too small and you’ve trusted Jesus with too little”

"Do not spend your life, invest it"

"If you find yourself confessing the same sins every time, you are NOT REPENTING"

"It’s not about how many people come it’s about how many people you develop and send out"

"Desperation is often the platform to breakthrough"

"NO ONE TAKES THE NEXT STEPS IN HOLINESS BY THEMSELVES. EVERYONE DOES IT IN COMMUNITY."

"Lots of people can win at the gifting game. Few people can win at the character stuff"

"Things you say 'no' to will define your life your life more than things you say 'yes' to"

"When people are around you - what do they get?" 

"What you think about people in your head will impact how you treat people on the outside"

"I KNOW I HAVE TAKEN ENOUGH RISKS WHEN I FAIL 25% OF THE TIME"

“People that pray for you are way more important than people that give to you.”

"How old are you in your mind right now?"

“Now go do something FUN”

“Own your voice”

"Ask a mentor to take you along and help you gain influence"

These and many more were often stated to many by Dr. Martin Sanders. What words do YOU remember? Put them in the comments! Celebration of a life is a part of the grieving process...

In the picture above, Martin punched me in the chest and said "Now go be a doctor to the church!"