CREATIVE RETIREMENT

 

Three months in Spain—vacation, right?

Not for Don Odens. After retiring from a half-century of teaching at Central Baptist Seminary (sometimes full-time, sometimes as a adjunct) Don left for an extended mission trip to Spain. He is working with Seth Grotzke, who was commissioned for the work in Spain while on staff with Pastor Odens at Liberty Baptist Church.

Don will be teaching, mentoring, evangelizing, and encouraging in Spanish, a language he studied in high school and has endeavored to keep fresh over many years. The challenge will be great, and the blessings even greater.

Missions trips have been a part of Dr. Odens’ ministry throughout his pastoral and teaching career. Brazil and China are just two of the countries he has visited to encourage missionaries and participate with them in teaching the Word. Even so, three months on the field represents a unique step in the process.

As his brother-in-law, I am probably not at liberty to share Don’s age. Just let it be said that when most people are fishing at their cabin up north, Don is walking the streets of Spain, fulfilling a life-long passion to be used of God to the full extent of his capabilities. That is what I would call creative retirement.