Before There Was Google

by Rev. Dr. Don Gordon
Founder and CEO of C3–Christians Caring for Creation at Christians Caring for Creation, Inc.

Before there was Google there was Sue Fitzgerald. Rev. Fitzgerald was the Director of the Christian Resource Center (CRC) at Mars Hill College in 1990 when I began my first pastorate at Central Baptist Church in Spruce Pine. First time preachers are nervous, anxious about finding enough preaching ideas and solid biblical resources to sustain a congregation. I know I was. They are also struggling with time management, trying to determine how much time for sermon preparation alongside pastoral care and administrative duties. I know I was.

Early in my time at Central Baptist I decided to drive 45 minutes one to Mars Hill College every Monday and spend all day secluded in the library. I would get more accomplished in the 6 hours in this library than I would for 3 days in the office. That’s when I got to know Sue Fitzgerald. I had seen this stately lady before at Baptist meetings, smiling kindly, and walking with a cane. When I came to the CRC I came to see how valuable she would be to me as well as many others, who needed sound theological guidance.

Like a faithful heirloom clock, Rev. Fitzgerald would approach me with a smile and say, “What are you preaching on this week?” I would say, “The cross” or “Stewardship” or “A series from the Sermon on the Mount” or something like that. Like a computer processing information in milliseconds, Rev. Fitzgerald would say, “Have you read what Herschell Hobbs wrote about that?” or “Have you seen E. Stanley Jones book?” She would begin to pull out resources for me, journal articles and books. This was done with a smile and an encouraging word that a young pastor needed. Before there was Google there was Sue Fitzgerald at the Mars Hill College CRC.

I did this faithfully for several years. Then one day Sue told me they were closing down the CRC. The school was undergoing renovations. Her space was being closed out during the renovation because, in part, it was being under utilized. I was stunned. I thought, “How can I continue to preach with the CRC? Without Sue Fitzgerald?” I relayed my concerns to Rev. Fitzgerald. She told me, “We’ll figure something out.”

Just before they closed the center down for good, Sue told me, “I am converting my garage into a library. I’m going to have to get rid of a large number of resources, but I’m going to keep the most essential works of the center.” Then she handed me one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. She extended her hand and said, “Here’s a key to the garage. You can come whenever you like.”
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My ministry would continue. I wouldn’t have to say to my congregation, “Sorry, but the center has closed down and there is no Word from the Lord.” Oh, I probably would’ve found a way to continue. But for this young preacher in the mountains of North Carolina with only a few books on his bookshelf, the CRC, and more importantly, Sue Fitzgerald was a rich treasure for me I will never forget. Her immense knowledge of the Christian faith in the Baptist tradition was surpassed only by her Christ-like love and generosity. I will always be indebted to this woman preacher who taught me how to feed a congregation.

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