Throughout my lifetime I have all sorts of different friends with varying backgrounds. Everything from guys who were in Motorcycle groups to Musicians. Guys who had issues with drugs and graduated Teen Challenge to ordained pastors who know the bible inside and out. I have friends from nearly every race, color and creed! This gentleman I am about to write to you about is a very unique and very interested friendship we shared. I knew him for almost 30 years and here's the catch. I only saw him A HANDFUL OF TIMES!! Okay, let me explain!!
Many of you know my story about how I began as a Children's Pastor at Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle. I won't tell that story again, I promise. After only being on staff about 7 months which was October 1991, I received a phone call from a gentleman named Ken Fortner. I am not sure how he got my name but he was retired and he, along with his wife Wendy had a "Promotion" business called Fortner Marketing. They partnered with Newton Manufacturing and their business was to print various items to help promote businesses. It was either pens, pencils, hats, T-shirts, key chains etc. He and his wife wanted to meet with me to show me what their business was about. Ken had a very soft, gentle voice and I figured "Hey, why not give them a listen. Maybe they will have some things I could use to promote my ministry?" Never ever did I think before meeting Ken that we would have a 30 year friendship! I still remember returning from lunch and our receptionist told me, "Your appointment is in your office. They came very early! They really look too old to drive!!" I remember walking in my office and seated were an older gentleman with gray hair and a woman wearing a baseball cap. I introduced myself and thanked them for coming to see me. Only being a pastor for 7 months at the time, I was not used to having appointments so this was all new to me. They told me their names were Ken and Wendy Fortner and for the next 30 minutes or so they showed me their catalogs and what their business had to offer. I listened attentively and was so happy to get their catalog. They seemed very passionate about what they were offering. Before we finished they told me they were Christians and attended Bethany Bible Church in New Hyde Park, NY even though they lived in Queens. I had heard about their church and had met their pastors children from our Singles Retreats we had but I did not know their pastor very well. I did get to know him along with his wife years later. They are Rolf and Fran Larsen.
I have to say one thing about Ken. He was very thorough! He would always always send me new catalogs from his company. This was obviously before we had the internet! I really appreciated both Ken and Wendy and how they worked so hard to help me promote the Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle Children's Ministry. Before we marched down Main Street in Smithtown at our Memorial Day Parade I always called Ken to order pencils. We handed out these pencils along to parade route to promote our Vacation Bible school and King's Kids Club. Besides the first year (we gave out frisbees, Very expensive and we didn't order enough! 👱) we ordered many pencils. We also gave these out at Smithtown Festival Day as well. From 1992 through 2013 these occurrence took place! I always loved doing business with Ken and Wendy! We also ordered badges, backpacks, key chains, coffee mugs, hats and footballs as well through the years. I always looked forward to my conversations on the phone. Ken was always interested in what I was doing in church as well as how my family was doing.
In 2005, Rolf Larsen, Pastor of Bethany Bible church invited me along with our Kids in Missions Team to come minister at his church. I saw Rolf many times at our Fellowship of Christian Assemblies meetings from time to time. I know he really appreciated my ministry. He wanted to help promote the kids ministry in his church. I called Ken and told him that we were coming and he was elated. There was one problem. I had not seen Ken in 14 years so I had no idea what he looked like. There was no Facebook and if there was, I didn't have an account. As we were setting up our props, I looked at the people walking into church to watch our program. 80% of them were over 65!! There were only a few kids there. Out of all the "Senior Saints" who were sitting and waiting, I thought to myself, "Which one is my friend, Ken? A very gentle man walked over to me and smiled as I was helping set up our puppet stage. He said "Hello, Pastor Dave!!" I recognized that voice and gave my friend a huge hug. I got to see my friend for only the second time. Wendy walked over to say "Hello" and I greeted her as well. After our program, the church had a time of fellowship downstairs and I had a chance to spend time with Ken and Wendy. It was so good to get to actually "see" them and not only have a phone conversation. Like I said before, Ken lived in Queens and he didn't travel to Long Island much.
A few years after I saw Ken and Wendy, Ken called me to tell me that his dear wife Wendy went home to be with the Lord. I honestly did not know Wendy as well as I knew Ken but knew her to be a very kind, godly lady. I knew she loved Ken and I know they had a great marriage. My heart broke for my friend as he was now living alone in his apartment.
I don't actually remember the event that took place at SGT that was the third time I saw Ken. I know Rolf and Fran Larsen brought him to an event at the church and they both walked up to me and said, "We brought a friend with us who wants to see you!" Behind them was Ken! He walked up to me very slowly and gave me a big hug! We sat and talked for quite a while. This was a few years after Wendy passed away but I could tell Ken was still hurting from losing his dear wife.
In 2013 you all know the story of my leaving SGT. No need to rehash. That year with all that was going on I don't remember if I ordered pencils for the parade, Truthfully that season in my life was a blur. Later that year as I was driving my Town Car back to the limo lot from JFK Airport, my phone rang. It was a 718 area code number! I didn't answer it but wish I did. When I listened to my voicemail it was Ken. He called SGT and was shocked to hear I was no longer on staff there. My former assistant, Danielle gave him my cell phone number. She knew I wouldn't mind if he called me. I returned his phone call and we spoke as I was on my way home one night. Ken listened attentively as I told him what had occurred in my life. What I discovered with that phone call was not only was Ken a business associate from my past, he was a true friend. He called me repeatedly to see how I was doing and I also called him as well. Ken always asked me what he could pray for and I knew he really meant he was going to pray.
In March 2015 after my Limo career has ended, I had just started working at TruGreen Lawn Care. God did open a door for me on Saturday, March 28th at New Durham Bible Chapel in Piscataway, New Jersey. I was invited to teach two workshops on children's ministry as well as be the Keynote speaker for that event, a Sunday School Convention. I told Ken all about this opportunity and he said, "Hey, would you mind if I came with you and see you in action?" I of course said yes and that Saturday I picked Ken up at his apartment in Queens and we headed out to Somerset, NJ. We had a great day together. Ken even helped me unload my van and carry my props into the church. Ken is 37 years my senior so he was a spry 88 years young. I remember him sitting in the back of the sanctuary as I taught one class on object lessons. He had a huge smile on his face the entire time! I really enjoyed the fellowship we shared as we drove to and from New Jersey. Before I dropped Ken off at is apartment, Ken asked if we could visit our mutual friend Herb who owned a Christian Bookstore in Queens. We stopped to say hello but Ken wasn't finished yet. We then stopped in New Hyde Park to visit with Pastor Rolf and Fran. We all went out for dinner and had a great time!
As I dropped Ken off, I did not know at the time it would be the very last time I would ever see him. My life became extremely busy with work, ministry and dealing with family issues. Ken and I did keep in touch through occasional phone calls. When I took a position at Christian Church of Holbrook two years later, Ken sent me yet another Newton Manufacturing Catalog to help me out. The very last time I ever spoke to Ken was right after the pandemic started. He called to tell me that his dear Pastor Rolf Larsen went home to be with his Lord! He also told me he moved to Florida to be closer to his son. After that call with him my life became crazy busy. We sent a few emails to each other for a year or so. I lost his number after getting a new phone a year and a half ago. This past year I tried various ways to reach Ken. I found out last month that Ken went home to be with the Lord in September 2021. He was 94 years old. I am going to miss my friend but I do know one day I will see him again in heaven. I do know that in heaven I WILL NOT have to look for Ken to order pencils! We will be reunited!
I hope this blog encourages you to stay close to all your friends. You never know how God can use a "Promotion Businessman" to impact our life!
HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND, FRIENDS!!
