The memories and thanksgiving expressed below are a drop in the bucket of love and gratitude that we feel for you!
(To add your comments, click here or scroll to the bottom of this page. New comments may take a few hours to appear.)
The memories and thanksgiving expressed below are a drop in the bucket of love and gratitude that we feel for you!
(To add your comments, click here or scroll to the bottom of this page. New comments may take a few hours to appear.)
Dear Don & Alice, My memories of you go way back to the late 50s and early 60s when my family attended Berean Bible Church in Irving, Texas. My parents, John and Dilys Johnson, enrolled us four kids in Berean Christian Academy and Don was my teacher for English and Bible (I think) in the eighth grade there. You also directed the youth choir and organized trips to Tennessee on an old bus to your dad’s camp. Your godly example is still vivid to me after all these years. My husband, Michael, graduated from DTS in 1977 and in a recent alumni pamphlet I saw a quote with your name on it. That prompted me to a google search and I found you were retiring! I clearly remember at age 13 telling my dad that one day I would marry someone like him and Don Geiger. Your integrity and love for the Lord were evident even to a young girl like myself. I wish God’s richest blessings on you and Alice and thank you for the impressive ministry you had on my family so many years ago. In Christ, Dawn (Johnson) Bullok
Pastor Geiger, the first time Larry took me to his church (Reinhardt) was May 5, 1969. That was the first time I heard you give a message. YOU KNOW YOU HAVE GREATLY IMPACTED BOTH OF US. Best wishes to both you and Alice from both Larry and me.
Dear Don and Alice,
No one at Redeemer Bible Church will be familiar with my name, but I want the people at Redeemer to know what a blessing you both have been to me. I served with Don from 1965 to 1969 as an Assistant Pastor with Don in Houston, Texas. I believe I was the first co-pastor to serve with Don. What a blessing and inspiration Don has been to my life. I consider Don a great friend and my mentor. My life has been greatly enriched because of Don’s ministry to me. He is truly a humble and loving servent of the Lord. May God continue to bless you both as you enter a new phase of ministry.
With love to you both,
Warren Brown (from Camas, Washington)
Dear Alice,
When I think of you I think of a graceful and loving woman. I can understand completely why Don wanted you for a wife. Seeing how your kiddos turned out says a lot about Mom, and it’s all good. I enjoy seeing you every time I do. You truly are special to me.
Your Friend,
Homer
Dear Don,
I remember when I first started hearing you back in 1971 when I was 18 years old. I had heard other preachers but you were different, a teacher I’ll say. You were very encouraging with the message, and delivered it in a way that made me want more. The more I heard from you the more I wanted to learn for myself and would read my Bible on my own, and later that year in 1971 I gave my life to the Lord. You have always been encouraging to me. I remember going to Geiger Island a couple of times and hearing you tell your stories around the campfire at night, what a treat.
Don you truly are one of the most special people I know and love. You have helped me to learn the Bible so much. I remember memorizing verses in the 70’s, and it’s something I still do thanks to your encouragement.
Your Friend,
Homer
Dear Don and Alice,
It seems you have been part of my family for a long time. Thank you for loving Don and me. You were part of Don’s life and he loved you. Thank you for coming to see him when he was in the VA hospital. I prayed that perhaps he could be a tiny part of the “good bye” service yesterday, even from heaven.
Thank you again…..
And we’ll SEE YA LATER! GOD BLESS…..
S
Dear Don and Alice,
There are so many ways that you have been there for me, there aren’t enough pages to tell the whole story.You have both been such a blessing and help .I love you both dearly I wish I had a lot of flowery words to express my love for you but you will have to do with what you get.
Much Love
Evelyn
Dear Don & Alice,
As Don Regier said in the video, “It’s too soon to quit!” I imagine you never thought those words would come back to haunt you in this particular way! In all seriousness, we will miss you immensely. We already feel your absence keenly in our church body and in our lives.
We have been so hugely blessed by your service at Redeemer these last 10 years. We hope you know how deeply you are loved by us. We praise God for you!
Josh & Emily
Dear Don & Alice,
Thank you for pouring your lives into ours, as well as the entire Redeemer family. Thank you for reading a Christmas story to us every year at the Christmas Eve service, just like a dad would in his own home. Thank you for being available, for wise counsel, for warm humor.
We love you. Happy Trails!
Phil & Jeannette
Pastor Don and Alice,
There are no words that can begin to express the joy and blessing so many of us have received directly from the Lord because YOU chose to serve Him with complete commitment and faithfulness!!
When you left Reinhardt we missed you terribly, not ever crossing our minds that someday we would have the privilege and absolute blessing of having you as our Pastor once again! We marvel at the fact that your sermons kept getting better and better as time progressed! All of us, we are sure, have been challenged, blessed, convicted, and comforted by your sermons weekly.
We have often thought of those dear brothers and sisters that the Lord has called home from our congregation, who were so blessed and comforted to have you as their Pastor in their last days. Your words of comfort and hope at memorial services have been directly from the Lord.
For us, the greatest example of your total commitment, faith, trust, and obedience was at the time of your greatest loss, that of the homegoing of your beloved Brian. We truly were AMAZED, and we shed many tears just in watching all of your family “shine so brightly” in the midst of such great sorrow. Thank you for showing us that we too can grow in our trust in Him in times of great loss.
THANK YOU for hearing the Lord’s leading to start a new church! There were many of us searching, praying and yearning to attend a church just like Redeemer, where you taught directly from God’s Word, where the service is worshipful and pleasing to the Lord, and where we enjoy the priceless joy of unity.
THANK YOU for allowing us to “come home” to our wonderful church, where look forward to the Lord’s Day with great joy and anticipation.
We want you to know that we have never ceased to thank the Lord for your faithfulness to Him, and we will continue to pray for you in the next “chapter” of your lives, anticipating that the Lord will continue to use you for His Honor and glory, as you continue to bear much fruit.
With deep love appreciation,
Leonard and Lillian Rees
Dear Don and Alice,
I so appreciate your ministry. So many wonderful sermons throughout the years. Pastor Geiger, you taught me to water ski! I’ll never forget Geiger Island and going sailing with you on Dale Hollow Lake… I wondered if I would be able to carry on a conversation with “Pastor Geiger” alone in a sailboat on the lake. You were such a great encourager. It is one of my finest memories of your ministry… you could speak before hundreds and minister to individuals too! God wonderfully gave you to each other and fashioned a partnership for His glory. May God bless you!
Love,
Russell & Sherri Mull
“Go into the World in Peace…”
Pastor, your last words have become some of our daughter’s first words. ^^ What you’ve ended with most Sunday mornings is what our family has ended with most every evening since we joined the Redeemer family. Thank you for taking the time to impart truth with love & humor every Sunday.
Alice, we appreciate your dedication to our kiddos in the Sunday School class and the love that you show them every week. Thanks for taking the time to impart God’s Word to them and show them a love for God. Thank you also for the time you take every Tuesday to minister to us as women, wives, & mothers. It is a real privilege to have an opportunity to learn and grow with you at Women’s Fellowship.
We also want to say thanks for opening up your home & grill for memorizing Romans 12 and other passages. It has been a refreshing time of fellowship and opportunity to learn some of what God has placed on your hearts.
Thanks again for your leadership, wisdom, & love that you pour out through preaching, handshakes, smiles, and family members.
May the Lord richly bless your family in the weeks, months, and years ahead.
Love,
The Howard Family
Joe, Joanna, Zara, Daniel, & #3
Dear Don and Alice,
What a blessing it has been to be a lamb being directed by such an awesome shepherd. We will miss your leadership. We will miss your “sayings” that you so generously share with us on a regular basis. We will miss the scriptures that you so eagerly share with us, especially before surgeries (of which we have posted in our home), and we will miss your sermons on Sunday mornings. Mostly though, we will miss the love and the friendship that you two have so graciously shared with us and so many others. So now, remember
Go into your motor home in peace
Have Courage
Hold on to the steering wheel
Honor all traffic laws
Strengthen the tow car
Suppert the local sheriff
Help the other moter homers
and share your groceries
and
Love and serve the Lord
in the power of the Holy Spirit
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
be with you. Amen
We love you
You married us, dedicated our four children, counseled us thru Emily wedding, announced the birth of our GRANDCHILDREN,were there for us when our fathers died. You have been our pastor, friend, teacher. I would say you know us well. We love you both and look forward in you sharing your retirement with us. You are a legend. Thank you both. Kay Paris
Dear Pastor Geiger and Alice:
It seems you both have been in our lives forever. I can’t imagine it being any different. Don, you have shown us what a real Shepherd is. You have always been there for Bill and I as well as our family.
No matter how early or how late at the hospital, you were there, and I know this was true for so many more. You helped me begin my spiritual journey at Reinhardt. I learned so much and loved every minute of it.
You were responsible for my brother and all of his family accepting Jesus, at a Bible study in our home.
Your family is like part of our family to us. I remember the years at Reinhardt as some of the happiest and best times of our lives.
Alice, I always enjoyed talking with you and seeing that great smile you have. The times we tutored at West Dallas. I looked forward to the time I could just talk with you on our way.
There are people who come and go in our lives. Then there are those who you know will always have a place in your life and heart; you both will always have that.
To try and thank you for all the times you’ve ministered to us, taught us,
encouraged us with that famous saying “the sun will rise tomorrow”; cannot be expressed in words. So from our heart to yours we say thank you, God Bless you and may you truly know how God has used you in so many lives.
Thank you for showing us how to live the Godly life, through patience,
endurance, holiness, pain, hardship, and most of all love.
You have truly finished well. May God give you a time now of all that
you deserve and long for.
From our Heart to Yours,
Bill & Claudia
Dear Alice and Pastor Geiger:
Even though I’ve lived in Plano for 15 years, I’ll never forget the wonderful years I spent at Reinhardt Bible, when you were there as Pastor and his wife, Alice. I was single, and your warm teaching and good Biblical application were what I needed every week, even though I drove across town to get there. I have several friends who call Redeemers their church home, and know that they are sad to lose you.
But all of us wish you the absolute best, and I hope and pray the Lord has joy and a wonderful future for the two of you as you step into your next time in life. I truly believe the Lord is going to tell you some day “Well done, faithful servants.” You are loved by many people who are grateful to have had you in their lives while being blessed with your teaching.
Meantime, isn’t it “funny” one thing I remembered that you said one Sunday, talking about irritants in life — people who crunch ice cubes at the table — and I had to laugh at the time — I had just attended a week long conference with a woman sitting behind me every day crunching on ice all day long! I remembered when you said that, it made me think — this is a real person who has a few things that get on his nerves too!
You guys take care and I hope to hear more about what happens in your lives. Take a look at Isaish 46: 3 – 4. The Lord has you in the palm of His hands.
With love and gratitude,
Donna (Bemiss) Penn
Dearest Ones,
If ever two people personified faithful servants of our Lord, it is you both.
If ever two people lived the two greatest of the Commandments, and that is “love’, to love God and then one another; it is you both. If one thing stands out in our church is the strong sense of LOVE and unity at Redeemer, made possible by your leadership.
It will never be forgotten how you stood beside us in our hour of need, came to visit us when critical surgeries were necessary. Your prayer by our bedside gave us strength, encouragement, at a time of uncertainty.
Our whole family, even those that lived out of state, or do not attend Redeemer, but came to visit have commented, they wish they had a church as special as Redeemer–that all who came loved it there.
Regardless of a change in command being filled, there will be a large hole in Redeemer without you both.
Alice, this is something that I have not shared with you before. When we first came to Redeemer it was in the gym. I had asked you about a member who was ill. You paused in answering me, and replied honestly, “Yes, I know how she is, but I do not know if she wants this information shared. I appreciate you asking, but feel at this time, I cannot say….”
My response to that was, “Here is a lady of integrity.” I appreciated that you felt until you knew you could share that information, you wouldn’t. What a rare thing it seems like today, to know you could have confidence in someone that would not gossip and hold a confidence!
Don, we know that you have heard this before, but no one can replace the message and the way you delivered it each Sunday. You truly have the gift of the spoken word, “that when Don speaks, it is as if it came directly from God and out of his lips.”
Mike has said he heard Billy Graham when he was younger a lot. He was all fired up in those days. He enjoys Charles Stanley too. BUT…you may be surprised to learn of this. Mike says you have it all over the both of them. He rather hear you any day! In his mind that puts you in a very unique place and we are so grateful God drew us to Redeemer.
Max is was so disappointed that you are retiring. As young as he is, he loves you and will miss you too. But we all wish you years of enjoying your retirement, family, and God’s protection and blessings.
Gale and Mike Perry
Dear Don and Alice,
My biggest regret about our relationship is that it didn’t start sooner! I so wish that we could have been with you both for the past ten years at Redeemer. But, one of the wonderful traits you both have is that you have never made us feel like newcomers, but always a part of the church family.
Don, you have been the example of my “ideal” pastor. Ever present, aways setting Godly examples of kindness, consideration, love and strength for us. And, thank you for creating and encouraging opportunities to memorize bible verses – it was an answer to ongoing prayer about that particular matter!
And, Alice! What great fortune for me to remind you of your favorite cousin! Whenever I think of you, I always smile. Thank you for loving me.
Steve and I count your friendship as precious, and will look forward to other opportunities to continue good times together…perhaps more Italian food forays, or perhaps pulling up next to you in an RV campsite someday!
Thank you both for your loving, giving spirits. Now, go have great fun! We’ll look forward to hearing all about how and where God leads you next!
Much love,
Carol and Steve Pratt
Dear Don and Alice,
We’ll be eternally grateful for ten years of serving the Lord under your direction. You have given us clear, consistent patterns to follow.
Our family is daily enriched by other people whose lives you helped shape many decades ago. These indirect touches we’re aware of; the Lord will surely point out countless others when there’s time for that. Years pass quickly, but your solid workmanship endures.
The care and energy with which you gave yourself to the work of building up our church way into your “retirement” years clearly demonstrate that this life is a precious opportunity to serve the Lord.
Now, may the Lord continue to grant you significant opportunities of service even as you and Alice enjoy a slower pace. We’ll continue the work that you began here at Redeemer and look forward to worshiping with you again in the future. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Dear Pastor Geiger and Alice,
You have been like my second set of parents. I cannot think of a time when you have not been there to share in our greatest joys and deepest sorrows. You have encouraged me through some of the darkest times and cheered with me as the sun began to shine again. To say you have ministered to me would be a vast understatement. There has never been a time that you were needed (requested or not) that you have not been there. You are a true example of shepherds, calmly guiding and keeping watch over their flock. When I thought the burden was too big your love and wisdom encouraged me through the valley. Thank you for your service seems so trite. Thank you for your lives poured out into us. We love and appreciate you both so much. Truly God has ministered to me through the both of you.
In His Love, Sherry Oswald
Don and Alice,
Thank you for your faithful service at Redeemer Bible Church over the past 10 years. The Lord has blessed our church and us personally under your leadership. Don, your wise leadership, faithful preaching of the Word, and encouragement for those in need is much appreciated. Alice, thank you for your ministry with the womens’ group (and elsewhere!). You have both been examples of Godly living in good times and in difficult times.
We are saddened that the time has come for your retirement. However, we pray that you will enjoy lots of fun times in the days ahead. Hopefully you will hang around RBC when you are in town!
“We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thess. 1:3
Dave and Nancy Higgins
Dear Don and Alice,
Thank you for many, many ways you have both ministered to our family in good times and hard times over the years. You came to Reinhardt when Cindy was a baby, and Cindy and Margaret’s friendship today is a testimony of your kindness to our family. Alice, Fred and I remember good times working in the 2′s with you at Reinhardt as new parents, learning child rearing skills from watching you. Don, thank you for the strong expository sermons and the wonderful benediction that you gave us. We hope you enjoy a fulfilling retirement and that you will find new blessings every day.
Dear Alice and Don,
There just are’nt enough words to express how
much I love both of you. You have been my rock on
on so many times in my life. You deserve this time now to
just be together and relax and do so many things you
are looking forward to doing.
I will miss seeing so much ,but I am
Happy for you ! Phyllis T.
Dear Don and Alice,
Although we’ve known you only a couple of years, you are both very dear to us. You are obviously people who know and love God and His people. Thanks for the laughter and wisdom. May our friendship continue through your retirement years.
Jim and Ann
Dear Alice and Pastor Geiger,
Thank you for your ministry you so kindly shared with all of us, the body of Christ. The love of the Lord and the way you have encouraged and touched so many in our church and thru out the country and the world. It has been a blessing to be in Reinhardt Bible and Redeemer Bible Church, to learn form you and worship with you. I remember taking food to a family who was about to have a love one go home to the Lord, you both sat and prayed with the family. What a true blessing you both were. I remember taking my dear friend, Ceil to the hospital to have surgery. I dropped her off at 6:00 A.M. and you both were there to comfort her, pray before she had surgery. I could go on and on with all they many ways you haved served the family of Jesus Christ. A heartfelt thank you, I love you both and will be praying for you.
In Christ and His love, Bebe Kennedy
Pastor Geiger and Alice, you will truly be missed by me. I will always remember Pastor Geiger standing by me through my knee surgery and Alice was so faithful to come visit me in the Nursing Home. Words cannot say how much that meant to me. Both of you will always be on my prayer list and I hope to see you in the audience when I come to Church on Sundays, after you have had a nice rest.
Thanks again, for all that you have done for Redeemer Bible Church.
Janee Cordell
August 12, 2009
Dear Don & Alice,
Thank you both for being a great example of what the Christian walk should be. We’re glad we chose Redeemer as our church home and feel blessed to have had your leadership.
May God bless you in your retirement years.
Corky and Sandy Bridgman
Dear Don and Alice,
We find it a daunting task to briefly express our appreciation and affection for who you are and what you mean to us. The distillation of what makes you so appealing as Pastor and Partner is that you have lived your lives before us as working models of Christ-likeness. You shepherd us, teach us, encourage us, and cause our faith to be strengthened by what you say and what you do.
“Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others; faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (Heron paraphrase)
Yup! That’s Don and Alice.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” (Gal. 5)
Yup! That’s Don and Alice.
Ever since the 1980’s at Rheinhardt, we have so appreciated seeing you shepherd the whole flock. The rich/poor, young/old, robust/infirm, encouraged/discouraged, are all under your care. It is obvious that you love all of us.
We enjoy your senses of humor.
We admire your work ethics and the examples they set.
We enjoy the way you make each of us feel special and central when you talk to us.
We value your wisdom. We frequently remember and use many “Geigerisms” to steer our daily paths.
We benefit and grow from your ability to understand as well as clearly and interestingly explain Scripture.
Your leadership has been a stable rudder regardless of the currents or winds that the church experiences.
Our prayer for you is the promise of Ps. 37 – As you “Delight yourself in the LORD, . . . He shall give you the desires of your heart . . . trust . . . in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”
Wishing you safe travels, and good health.
Your fellow pilgrims,
Bob and Shirley Porterfield
Don & Alice,
Thank you for your faithful service and for the ministry you so graciously shared with all of us. The pastoral heart of both of you has touched and encouraged so many in our ABF. It has been a pleasure to sit under your ministry and to serve with you at RBC. Your dedication, sacrifice, love, and courage inspire us all. God bless you greatly as you “refocus” your lives for His glory.
Larry & Mary
Dear Don & Alice, Thank you both for helping us to grow in the Lord by your Godly, loving example. You have taught us what it means to finish well! Thank you for reminding us the importance of hiding Scripture in our hearts for the good times and the hard times. Enjoy life to the fullest and as you have taught us ,keep your dreams alive. Thank you for all your encouragement. See you @ Luigis sometime…..With all our Love & respect ……..Greg & Dora
How the years have flown since I first heard God’s word so clearly proclaimed in Houston and then in Dallas by Don. You have taught God’s truths faithfully in humility and consistentlyand have lived out what you taught. No words are adequate to express my thanks. So guess I will follow your example and with God’s help “live according to scripture”.
Alice, you too, have been such a great friend and shown me so much how to walk with the Lord on a daily basis. Your friendship over the years has done much to enhance my love for the Lord.
Go forth and enjoy your years ahead as God gives you opportunities and strength. You will be in my prayers. Sincerely, Beth Winterbauer
Dear Don & Alice,
I can’t praise our Lord enough for leading me to a church and family where our paths would cross. Both of you have had a powerful impact in my own personal growth through your Spirit-directed gifts and it would be most appropriate to continue on this line with loving and gentle reminders of your endearing ministries.
Grace and peace,
Brian Coppinger
When Helen and I came to Redeemer, we were loved by you two. and many other members. Your love kept us sane with all our problems, we
both thank you, personally. We felt at home in the loving experience of
Redeemer. We remember you seeing Green Parrots in our back yard.
You need and have earned your retirement. Enjoy all the time you have
to look forward to, but remember that we love you both, and will welcome you to worship with us at Redeemer.
Dear Don and Alice,
I praise God for His mighty work in you which has equipped you to be able to serve Him and His people so faithfully and fruitfully.
Through the many long years of our acquaintance–at Reinhardt and also Redeemer–you both have ministered to Malon and me, plus our children and grandchildren, in manifold and meaningful ways! You are greatly loved and appreciated by each of us: we will never forget you!
May God make your retirement years a time of great joy and enrichment as you continue to share your lives and the truths of God’s Word to the blessing and enlightenment of many others, all along life’s pathway.
“…the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” (Prov. 4:18) (KJV)
With love, admiration and appreciation,
Anne Collins
Dear Alice and Don,
Jim and I are so sad we will miss your reception this Sunday, as we are on the road to Colorado. We want you both to know how much we have appreciated your service, love and input into our lives as well as into Redeemer Bible Church. You are both such beautiful examples of servant leaders, and it was a joy to be “in your flock”! We look forward to sharing retirement with you now too. May God continue to bless as you have been a blessing!
Jim and Kathy Smith
Dear Don and Alice,
The Collins Family has been blessed and enriched by having had the privilege of crossing paths with the Geiger Family.Words fall woefully short of capturing our appreciation for the wealth of memories and words of wisdom that you have shared with us and thousands of others.
God Bless you as you enter into the next chapter that is awaiting you.
Thank You!
We first came to Reinhardt in 1955.we moved to Arkansas in 1986 -you went to Indianapolis..We moved “home” in 1991.and thanks to our Lord you came back also
I thank God everyday for your entire family..I have been blessed by your example and
ministry.
We always knew your family walked the walk and talked the talk helping us to grow our faith..how to survive the storms of life .
What can I say except I LOVE ALL THE GEIGERS.
Don and Alice, Erris and I wish to express our sincere gratitude for your fellowhip in the Gospel over these many years. We have shared joys and deep, deep sorrows. God has been faithful. We pray His richest blessings for many years of fruitful ministry ahead. You’re really not getting older but getting better.
Dear Pastor Don and Alice,
We are so thankful to have had you in our lives, even if for a short time. Our experience at Redeemer from 2000-2003 is something we look back at with deep gratitude. It was a special time for us as a church to trust God for His will. You and Alice both showed us how to serve the Lord faithfully and humbly.
Having served now for 6 years at Grace Bible Church in Lebanon, TN, I still use the benediction learned at Redeemer, keep the three priorities in focus that you taught me (“Preach the Word, Love the people, Stay put”), have borrowed the Redeemer membership covenant, and strive to take the long view. Sally always goes back to Mrs. Geiger and her concern for the children’s spiritual development.
May God continue to bless you in this next phase of life.
Sincerely, Matt and Sally Smart, and family (Micah, Andrew, Hannah, Jacob)
Thank you for always being there for us in hospitals and other times of need, in times of need for counsel and in times of thanksgiving. Thank you for praying for our children, for encouraging and loving us all the time. Thank you for modeling for us what it truly means to shepherd the flock, to prepare the saints for the ministry to be a servant leader.
Love
Laci, Szandra, Fanni, Luca and Laci jr. from Hungary
Dear Don and Alice,
We have been under your ministry for approximately nine years. By far, you have taught us and shepherded us more than any other church in which we have served.
We pray that your time ahead will be long and enjoyable during your retirement years.
We love and appreciate you both,
Stu and Dorothy Howe
Well, I laid awake last night worrying about the email I sent to you yesterday because I knew I had said that I watched “Paul Stanley” on TV and I meant to say “Charles Stanley”. I think Paul Stanley might have been a rock and roll star and I was talking about the minister instead. Then I smiled and thought, well you always said it’s OK not to be perfect and that it’s OK to make mistakes and that no one is perfect except our Lord. And I thought also that maybe it would make you laugh and that would be a good thing that I finally got to make you laugh after all the times I have laughed at your funny stories in church. Thank you so much for that and I wish you and Alice a WONDERFUL retirement that you both so very much deserve. HAVE SOME FUN!
Dear Pastor Geiger,
The first time I visited your church was on the 5th Redeemer anniversary. I kept seeing more and more cars collect every Sunday so I wanted to check out what was going on. Much to my surprise I FINALLY found a pastor that got through to me. I am 60 years old now, but my Mom always made me go to church as a child and I hated it. I visited some churches in my adulthood but never seemed to get anything out of it, so my “church” as an adult consisted of sometimes watching Paul Stanley [editor: see Mrs. Williams' comment above--she meant to write 'Charles Stanley'] on TV and various books in addition to the Bible. You ALWAYS KNOW the right thing to say in your ministry. You ALWAYS encourage me and NEVER made me feel guilty. This makes me want to try even harder to be a better Christian. Shortly after I found you, I almost died in Baylor ICU and my daughter called you (without my knowledge) to please come see me and say a prayer for me (which you did) because she knew how much I loved you already and how you made me feel so close to God. Years later, my heart ached so badly for you and your family when your dear son passed away, and I thought I would loose you then because I thought you probably felt like you wanted to just lay down and die with your suffering, but instead I found even more love and understanding through your suffering time in relation to the young and tragic deaths that my family had already endured. I was so angry with God when my little sister/best friend was murdered in 1983 at 39 yrs. of age and when her dear son died of brain cancer in 1999 at 23 yrs. of age. After seeing your strengh, I decided it was OK that I got angry at God because God understood and I was only human and God forgave me for being angry with him and that he was still here for me and my family and it was still good to pray. I was there the Sunday you said you were going to resign and I was the first person to leave after the service and I was crying. I remember one Sunday in particular, several years ago, during communion when you spoke about the blood and the flesh of Christ and it was like someone turned a key in my head and I thought “I GET IT! I TRUELY GET IT NOW. I DON’T JUST THINK I MIGHT GET IT, BUT I REALLY REALLY GET IT!!!!” My dear 84 yr. old Mom was so happy for me when I told her that. Many times I have cried in church while listening to you, Pastor Geiger. Mostly they have been tears of joy. It’s funny because I rarely cry in life. I never joined the church but I felt like and knew it was MY CHURCH anyway. I never got to know the rest of your family because I like to stay to myself but your wife sat by me once and then a couple of years later sat by me again and she remembered my last name (and I nearly fainted!) She was very nice to me and made me feel loved also. I LOVE your stories. You make the Bible come alive. You made me come alive in Christ. I thank you dear Pastor Geiger and I will always love you and never forget you. I wish you and your dear family health and happiness always. THANK YOU PASTOR GEIGER FOR HELPING ME FIND GOD FOR SURE, instead of going through life not knowing. Thank you dear God for Pastor Geiger.
Dear Don and Alice,
With a grateful heart, I think of the countless times your gentle spirits, wisdom, humor, thoughtfulness, and kind words have encouraged me over the years. “I thank my God every time I remember you.”
Karen Shoholm
Our Dearest Don & Alice,
For over thirty-five years, you have been our Pastor/teacher, mentors, examples, our brother & sister-in-Christ, and our treasured friends. It has been a blessing and joy to pray, study, serve, laugh and cry, and raise our children together, with you. Mere words can never adequetly express our love and appreciation, so let us just say that we give God thanks for you, every day. We look forward to continued worship with you and Alice, whether from behind the pulpit, or sitting next to you in the pews. Enjoy your much deserved and long awaited retirement! We are praying to that end. Happy Travels, Jerry & Tommie Loveless
Dear Don & Alice,
If ever a church had a reason to give thanks all along for its pastor and
his wife, it was you two. The rage in seminary lecture halls these days is
“servant-leadership” … but you have been showing us your loving servant’s heart long before. You modeled for us as a congregation the very Christ-like traits that we all needed to emulate. Thank you for giving this local body a very rich legacy of sacrificial love and service!
We love you and wish you the happiest of a retirement so very well
deserved!
Gene & Verena