Marilyn Bauer, Mother in Israel

Marilyn is a retired school teacher and curriculum specialist. We worked together on some NAD curriculum in the ‘80’s (Catch the Vision) and then on the Contagious Adventist seminar for 10 years!

One Sabbath after my sermon on small groups where we featured the stories of small group members, Marilyn said she wanted her small group to be like our official PMC small groups—where people loved each other. Marilyn asked to join the new group that would be meeting at my house so she could learn to create an atmosphere where love could flourish. What Marilyn learned, she carried to her group. Over time her group members grew to love one other and even planned their away times around the group meetings.

In 1989 Dave and Marilyn lost their son Randy in a private plane crash. The accident took place just weeks after Randy’s 25th birthday.  Randy was their only child. Now childless, Marilyn became a spiritual mother to the dozens of young adults who also grieved Randy’s death and struggled for answers. Marilyn had put her trust in God and for her, there was “no turning back.”

When Marilyn heard that I was celebrating my 50-year spiritual birthday, she said, “Esther, I have a song that you MUST include in the program.“ At the age of 83 (in 2020) Marilyn is now a widow. The song she chose is the testimony of her life and the life of all who continue to follow Jesus. “The Longer I Serve Him, the Sweeter He Grows.”

During the 50-year celebration, this piece was sung by Debbie Weithers, one of Randy’s friends.