Gus Lambrides: A Man Full of Faith and Love by Elaine Eriksen

In the early 1900’s, there was a young Greek couple living in Turkey.  Receiving word that war was imminent between the Turks and the Greeks, they packed up their family and all they could carry and left for freedom in that distant land filled with promise called America.

Before leaving they received the greatest gift that a family could receive.  An American missionary told them about Jesus and they received the gift of eternal life.  They left a life of material wealth and arrived in the United States with little of this world’s goods, but as victorious children of the King of Kings!

Shortly after settling in New York City their fifth child was born and they named him Constantine George Lambrides, called Gus for short.  Gus was raised in a family that loved Jesus, but he decided he wanted to be different.  He was determined to spell success, M-O-N-E-Y!  He graduated from college, became a CPA, and then made partner in his accounting firm.  He married a beautiful girl named Martha and they soon started a family.   One day a successful friend of his invited him to go to a Christian Business Man’s luncheon.  It was there that God grabbed him by the heart.  Gus surrendered his life to the Lord and forever after spelled success J-E-S-U-S.

In the Lambrides household it was a treasured, consistent occurrence for us to wake up to the sound of dad’s voice saying, “Rise and shine.  This is the day that the Lord has made!  Let us rejoice and be glad!”  Then we would hear him singing, “Heavenly Sunshine."  Singing praises to the Lord around our household was a common thing.

Growing up, I was always hearing about my dad from people who did business with him.  The one thing I heard most often was that Gus was a man of integrity.  He was always the same, regardless of the company he kept.  You could count on him.  When you were with him, his focus was always on you and never on himself.

My uncle was dad’s partner in their accounting firm of Lambrides and Lambrides.  Nick was 14 years older than dad and was his mentor.  They had an agreement that if anything were to happen to either of them that the other would take care of their widow for the rest of her life.  Uncle Nick died suddenly at the age of 64 and unknown to the rest of the family dad sent a check to my aunt every month until her death at more than ninety years old.

His life was marked by joy, praise, consistency and total trust in his Savior.  It was a good life with many good gifts but not lacking in life’s challenges and struggles.  Trials came in many forms: challenges in parenting, difficult business decisions, his wife's ailing health, and he even endured the kidnapping of his grandchildren, but he weathered every storm as God's faithful servant.  Through every situation he always said that God was sovereign and chose to trust in him and his faithfulness.

My mom was diagnosed with MS when she was in her fifties.  Soon after, we found out she also had cancer!  Dad used every opportunity to share his faith with her doctors, always standing firm and trusting that his God was the Great Physician and capable of healing even when medical science could not.  To the shock of the medical community, God did heal my mom of the multiple sclerosis.

But in January of 1984, the Lord called Martha home to heaven.  Four months later, my dad came to visit us in Indianapolis.  I introduced my dad to Marty Berns, who was the teaching leader of Bible Study Fellowship, and a widow.  Within a week they were engaged and were married that July.  When asked, “Why so quickly?”, he responded, “When you are our age and you know it is God’s will, why wait?”  After that, he was often heard saying: “Jesus loves Martha and so do I”.

They became and team and the Lambrides and Berns became a family.  Gus was now Dad, Pop, Grandpa or Popu to many who loved him and he loved all of them!  With Martha, Gus brought Athena Lambrides Siddiqui, then me, Elaine Lambrides Eriksen, and a younger brother George Harry Lambrides.  When Marty joined our family, we gained Don Berns, Kathy Berns Albrechtson, Sally Berns John, and Peggy Berns Mindrebo.  Dad always referred to Marty's kids as "our" Peggy, Sally, Kathy or Don.  There are seven of us who call ourselves Gus's children, who now range in age from 53 to 70.  There are 21 grandchildren and at least 21 great grandchildren!

Gus and Marty came to  College Park and quickly gave of their time, talents and treasures to their beloved church.  People jokingly referred to Gus as the Mayor of College Park Church because he loved to greet people and call everyone by name.  He genuinely believed that you cannot show someone that you love them if you don’t remember their name.

After nearly twenty years of marriage, God chose to call Marty home to heaven.  Gus lived for another four years.  The morning of Gus’s homegoing, when Pete and I met with the nurse where he lived at Zionsville Meadows, we were told that she had never met a more gracious and gentle man in her whole nursing career.  Every night at bedtime he would pray with her and thank her and remind her of God’s goodness.

Gus often told his children, “In everything you do, do it all to the glory of God” and that is the way he lived his life.

He lived 93 years.  I am proud to call Gus Lambrides my daddy.”

Elaine Eriksen

My Momma's Faith, by Abigail Perdue

Nothing ever seemed so simple to me as my mother's faith. She loved Jesus, and that was it. Everything she did came from that one desire. She had a passion for following hard after her Savior. My mom was influential, involved, and beloved. I can say that confidently. However, I didn't see her chasing after that type of attention or gratitude. I saw a woman who loved her family, her church body with a fervor I can only aspire to.

She was unbelievably organized, so much so that I remember going with her to friend's houses so that she could help the other mom organize her pantry, or whatever it may have been. She loved helping people with whatever she had, even if it was just an uncanny understanding of order. This came in handy when she worked on numerous VBS camps and in the church nursery.

What amazed me was how much my mom really loved being involved behind the scenes of College Park. She didn't mind the work that came with such a heady task or the time it took to complete it. Cathy was dedicated. Faithful. Her faith defined her, and love was her signature.

My Mama followed God's will, even though it was rarely easy and typically trying in many different ways. In 2002, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, an affliction I wasn't able to comprehend at seven. I may not even understand it now. This is a disease that comes without warning, without a clear weakness, and without compassion. Mama was the bravest woman I have ever known. Cancer is a terrible thing, but she met it with faith. That's it: faith that God had a plan bigger than hers, that Jesus was Emmanuel. I marvel at her strength.

Throughout her treatment, my mom stayed positive. Not to say that there were no "down" days or that she never felt discouraged and lonely. She did. But her overarching attitude was almost always constant, believing that her Jesus had it taken care of. A visitor to our home would have seen "God is Good" scattered in various forms around the house, a reminder of the truth we were all holding on to. She was intentional about keeping God at the center of her struggle, keeping his purpose above her own.

This mantra of "God is good, even though ____" has been a bulwark for me and my family in our lives after my mom's death, and it is not an easy one to commit to. But Cathy was completely convinced that God was greater than her problems. That may sound simple or trite, especially after looking at all she was going through. But we forget that we serve a God who is much bigger than anything we come across. He can handle our disease, worry, displeasure, and even our sin. We can forget His power when our eyes are focused on what is going on in the moment.

In an email written a couple months before she passed away, my mom shared an update on her condition and treatment, describing a painful allergic reaction to a new medication. She closed with this: " God is just the same as he was before all this started. I can trust Him and all His ways." Can you believe that? She was firm, resolute in the way she believed that God was good, even when her circumstances were trying to tell her differently.

A friend of Cathy's, who has herself passed away, wrote, " You have shown me how I can love others, by how you have loved me." Love is so essential for a Christian life, and yet so often faked or forced. We can seriously under-love, to summarize a great many shortcomings. But my mom had a grasp of what Christ' s love was. I saw the effect of her life most tangibly the day of her her funeral.

I knew that Mama was really involved in church and that she knew a lot of people, but it astonished me how many people came to her viewing and funeral. They just kept flowing in the doors, filling the sanctuary with tears and encouragement. They remembered her because she touched their lives in a profound way. Actually, they remembered how she had shown them Jesus, which was more important than any task she had ever completed or pantry she had organized. She loved them with a pure, Christlike love.

I was young--only nine years old-- when my mother passed away, so the memories I have of her are few and foggy. But I know her character. Even more than that, I know what others say about her. They say that she was kind and empathetic and loyal and loving. I hear, even now, after nine years, memories of Mama, the little things that people have carried with them. I've found out some pretty cool stories, and yet I know that I will never hear them all. I love those stories, because they serve as a constant testimony to the way God used my mom to impact others. It is amazing how many people remember this woman, a normal, average person. But it is even more amazing how God used her to love others.

My mom, Cathy, was an especially wonderful person. She was forgiving and vigilant in prayer, and she could even cook. I love her very much. But she was not wonderful because of something she had ever done or ever could do. Mama was special because she trusted in her Savior, day by day. She gave Him control of her life and let Him do the driving. She had her faults, and even her own fears. Cathy was not some kind of superhero, but she had faith. Loving God even when the conditions are trying is hardly easy, but she made it simple. Cathy Perdue just loved Jesus, and that was how she defined her life and her death.

Betsy Bartemus, A Mother of Pastors and a Lover of People

[This short biography of Betsy Bartemus was written by Anna Greeley with the help of College Park pastors Don and Joe Bartemus.]

Our mother was born Betsy Ross in California on May 1, 1928. She was the only daughter in the mix of one younger and four older brothers. Her dad worked in a florine (linoleum tile) factory and her mom was a house wife. 

In 1951, the man she loved got drafted and told her that if she wanted to come with him they would need to get married, and that is what they did. It was November, 1951 and Joe and Betsy Bartemus were now husband and wife. In 1952, they welcomed their first child, Sharon, into the world. Joseph was born in 1954 and Donald in 1955.

After the war, Dad worked for a company that supplied brakes for trains, which led to a management position in Baltimore. Joe has a model of a brake-shoe in his office that reminds him of his father’s hard work that provided for all of the family’s material needs as well as the treasured privilege of a Christian education. 

Betsy grew up a liberal Baptist just outside of Boston. There was no time when mom was confronted with Jesus in a saving way, but it was a good, moral upbringing. We do not know the exact details of her conversion.

After she married, she began attending a Southern Baptist Church. It was there that Jesus claimed her heart, and my dad was soon to follow. It would radically change their lives and as kids we never knew them as unsaved people. Her faith was very influential in all aspects of her life as we saw her faith lived out.

She became the choir director and pianist after her salvation. She was trained in music, both in voice and piano and did very well. The sweet way she sang her signature song, “He Could Have Called 10,000 Angels," made her the favorite Easter soloist in their small church. She sang it every year.

Our mom was very involved in the faith of her kids and grandkids. One of the most significant evidences of that was the way she pursued Christian education for us. In the 60’s in Maryland the closest Christian school was 50 miles away. She drove that distance each day to take us and other friends to school for 11 years in an International Harvester truck, the precursor to the SUV. It was a sacrifice that spoke volumes and provided a lot of time with us kids in the car and at school.

She was an incredibly submissive wife and my dad often spoke to that as he grew older. This aspect of her character affected him deeply. Dad had a loving hand in her care when she was in her late 50’s and she became very ill with chronic fatigue from a hepatitis infection. His tender care for her was prompted because, as he said, “She did this for me” in the way she served him throughout their marriage.

Betsy was well educated and went to nursing school in Boston to become an RN. As a nurse, she would walk fast, working all the time. She was a nurse when the kids were in Christian school and at one point also taught French. She went the extra mile and even worked during our college and seminary years to help pay the bills.

As is the heart of many nurses, she did not seek her own, but the good of others, particularly her family. We never saw her spending time on selfish desires, and she never asked for alone time. She fixed breakfast every morning, supper every evening, drove 100 miles every day and she never complained. She took care of us in every way.

She was very approachable, however, and a cutthroat game player. Whatever the game--Skip Bo, UNO--she wouldn't let you win. She would play with anyone who was willing to take the challenge.

Betsy was always concerned about getting the Bible into the hearts of her family, both children and grandchildren. She loved to go to theology classes. She was a big J.I. Packer and R. C. Sproul fan. She loved deep study and found real life from it. She was a faithful user of Spurgeon's “Morning and Evening” devotional.

In College Park she did Titus 2, a discipleship ministry for women and spent time with other widows. She was tenacious in her friendships through thick and thin.

Whoever mom was with she was with them. She would ask deep questions with follow up. She was exceptional in her ability to be relational and to actively love people. When you were with her, you were the person that mattered. She wasn’t distracted by anything around. People were the priority, stuff wasn’t.

She loved jokes. She always tried to remember them but would forget the punch line. She finally started to write the jokes down on napkins, bits of paper, anything she could find. She was very endearing. She was committed and loyal to many, many women, even when relationships were difficult.

She loved to get gifts. The last gift she got in her mid-70’s was a TV from her kids. She was almost giddy because she understood what it means to give a gift: it is giving part of yourself, with a wish to bring the other joy. She was a giver at heart and went out of her way to bring that joy to countless others in her lifetime.

Our father died when she was in her early 60’s and he was 63. They were “clicking” as a retired couple with great dreams. He died unexpectedly and she was left alone. It was a huge trial and she struggled with singleness until she died in her 70’s. Even through this trial she was always faithful to the Lord and used every opportunity to show Christ’s love to others. She never lost the joy of His abiding presence.

If we were to sum up any words of wisdom she might share, she would say to get into the Word and don't be shallow. Persevere and don't give up. Life is not always easy, but He is worth it.

She died on June 12, 2003.

Reverend Donald S. Walker by Alma Walker, James Dupler, and Brian Woodward

Don Walker’s father had a love for baseball and played in a league where he lived in Pennsylvania.  He taught his sons to play baseball at an early age.  Thus, Don was a sportsman.  His elementary school years would find him involved in any ball sport.  During high school he played baseball (catcher), football (running back) and basketball (guard).  He excelled in all three sports.  When high school graduation was near he was offered to try out for the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, and a college in S. Dakota.  Since the family lived an hour away from Cleveland, Don decided to try out for the Indians.  Don relates that while he was on his way driving along to Cleveland stadium, a voice said to him, “you don’t want to do this son.”  Don said it was just as audible as if someone was sitting beside him.  When he arrived the love for baseball was gone.  The coaches urged him to put on a uniform and show them his stuff, which he did, but told them he would not return.  Upon returning home he made application to Nyack Missionary Training Institute (now Nyack College) where God called him to preach the gospel.  On his application for ministry he wrote, “My heart is burdened for the multitudes that are perishing without a saving knowledge of Christ, and for those of the church who are satisfied with what they have already experienced.  My job is to win the lost to Christ and to perfect the saints into a deeper knowledge of God and His work.”  Don loved God, loved his family, and people. His life was characterized by integrity, faithfulness, prayer, and Bible meditation/memorization to the end. He never knew a stranger.

While pastoring in New York, a member of his church, Jim Dupler, writes, "I first met Pastor Donald Walker in 1974 when he was asked to be our new Pastor of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in my hometown of Jamestown, New York.  I was fortunate to have a wonderful old time Pastor for sixteen years growing up, but he had to retire due to health problems.  I was on the Board of Elders when we discussed calling a new Pastor.  

When Don Walker’s name came up due to many knowing about his enthusiasm with young people especially at our summer church camp at Delta Lake, NY. Our District Superintendent spoke with great concern saying, “Oh, I don’t think he would work out as he is way too different than who you are used to!”  We chose to ignore his concern and called Don to be our Pastor.  And yes, he was very much different, but our church doubled in size in just a short time and we were able to start a “daughter” church in a neighboring town, which still flourishes today!  In our first service, as we started singing an old hymn in the usual slow tempo, Don stopped and said, “We are not at a funeral…let’s pick up the tempo!”  We loved it.

 

I was working in a furniture factory at the time and was thinking about starting my own custom woodworking shop.  So I asked Don what I should do.  He just said, “I will go home and pray about it.”  The very next day doors of opportunity started to open, while others closed.  A few days later I told Don, “You can quit praying now as the Lord has made it very clear that I should start my own business.”  And that’s what I have been doing for the last forty years.  I could write a book about my experiences over the years.  Don was a “one of a kind” Man of God!

 

 

While at College Park Church, Brian Woodward, the Junior High Youth Pastor remembers, "I think what made Don special is that it was very evident that he was close to God. He was a true man of God. He was the kind of man so many men want to be. Both believers and unbelievers. The things that he loved to talk about were Jesus, God, and sports. He was a people person. He was so down to earth. The one thing I noticed in conversations and interactions with Don is that even though he was so close to God, he struggled with sin just like any person. There were things that he would mention -- a situation in our world and basically say something like "that just isn't right". Those weren't his exact words, but that was the sentiment. An example might be our educational system. Another example of his struggling with everyday things, things that just weren't right is getting older and the physical challenges. He just couldn't do the things that he used to and that bothered him. But in any of these situations he would press on in faith and Christ's strength. When he was in his 70's he came and worked for a year with jr. high youth. Fourteen and fifteen year year olds. He led a small group, was out at the bball hoop with them, took a kid golfing and most of all prayed for the guys in the small group for the next three to five years. 

 

Summing it up, he was special because God's love flowed through him in a powerful way. He was so down to earth but also so close to Jesus. Who wouldn't want to be around a guy like that. He is missed.