Love For His People: Thanks for the Memories...Charlotte Center City Partners staff

Steve Martin, CCCP Accountant 2013-2017

Thanks for the Memories
- Charlotte Center City Partners staff

On this, my next to last day, the time has now come;

I say goodbye to thee and thou, and then a good some.

Memories are good. They often stay with us quite long.

I say adieu to you and finish with my poetic song.

"In this journey of life, while walking on our way,

We often meet ones who share many days.

On the road from home, near, or distance quite far

They touch our lives - like sweet honey in a jar.

Thanks to all, for the memories we often shared;

A joy I will cherish, with those who cared.

With BBQ, and Vision, First Night and Parade;

May the good Lord be known, with this farewell bade."

Steve Martin

Oct. 30, 2017

Monday, 3:00 am

And now a few photos, chosen from among my 40,000 posted on Facebook over these years.
Yeah God!

Eleni Saunders -my Greek boss lady.
VP of Finance (and HR!)
I hope the flowers keep a long time.

My good friend Meir (Douglas) Jones.

Glad you were on staff for my last few months,

and sharing your Jewish heritage!

Thanks for the retirement clock Eleni!
(Which I will get tomorrow. I enjoyed picking it out.)

Cherie Grant. One of the best - at the front desk.

Chris Hemans - my Chicago son. You can always call me "Dad".

Eleni, Moira Quinn and Jessica Jones.
One of the few lunches we shared.

Eleni, Jovanna Mozeak and I. Jo's last day (I think. Or thereabouts.)

If only Eleni was in the photo!
She is the REAL Panther Queen!

At one time I really did have an office with a door. But that was then...
And so I wore headphones most of the time thereafter.

Sam Bethea - the Jesus Man on our office streets - Tryon, Trade....
Keep crying out the love of Jesus, Sam !
He loves us. Jesus really does!!!

I worked with all but one...
(L-R) ???, Ted Boyd, Cheryl Myers, Michael J. Smith, Moira Quinn Klein,
Robert Krumbine (aka Grandpa K), Allison Billings, Darlene Heater

Board members at December meeting 2015
Thanks ladies for the photo op! Now I am famous too!

My accountant's desk at Charlotte Center City Partners (CCCP)

Charlotte, NC September 2015 - October 2017
(Notice the headphones. It was a good corner though. Thanks, Moira.)

My original retirement letter to management - May 30, 2017

May 30, 2017

Tuesday, 8:24 am

Charlotte, NC

Greetings fellow crew members,

I have good news to share!

Effective Dec. 31, 2017, my "Retirement of Employment" here at Charlotte Center City Partners will occur. As my becoming “even more senior” happens on November 23, with 63 candles inflaming the double chocolate, extra frosting cake I will have, there are a few other things yet assigned for me to do before I am heaven bound.

What a blessing those days to come will be! Think of this - all of Charlotte and TV land will be celebrating my birthday and retirement too, as I drive another dignitary up Tryon during the Thanksgiving Day Parade (unless Grandpa K has Steve Martin as the Grand Marshall and I ride along as his mini-Grand!)

Leaving this ever-changing 501 ©4 after four years, eight months on staff (and eight months as a contractor prior to April 29, 2013) as the accountant for all three organizations Eleni and I account for, will give Megan a new neighbor at some point, while Klint will be seeing a different hair color other than silver across the cubicle from him. (Maybe he likes blonde, brunette or red better?) I am sure Eleni and her HR department will find a good replacement to fill my numbers chair.

My heart's desire has always been to be back once again in Christian ministry most hours of my day. After serving 24 years, from 1987 - 2010, with three international ministries (Derek Prince Ministries, Mahesh Chavda Ministries /All Nations Church with Bonnie Chavda) and Vision for Israel and The Joseph Storehouse (Barry & Batya Segal) in Fort Lauderdale and Charlotte, as the USA Director or the Director of Administration and Finance, I have prayed for it to happen. It has always been my passion to reach the nations with His Good News. (I like Sam, the “Jesus Shouter” on the Charlotte Center City streets! He certainly has Good News!)

When Laurie, my good wife of 40 years (Oct. 7, 2017) and I founded our ministry, Love For His People, Inc. in April of 2010, I was believing that that would be my life’s work from that point on. But for the last seven years, the good Lord took me on a side journey, which is why I am grateful to Moira, Eleni and Jovonna for allowing me to serve with you at CCCP, CCCP-Community Trust and the 7th Street Public Market. But now the time has come to complete the plans set before me.

After my 14th journey to Israel this month of May, with previous adventures to China, England, France, Germany, India, Canada, Spain and Trinidad and Tobago...I will once again be adding frequently to my frequent flyer miles’ travel log. Good thing I have a valid new 10-year passport with plenty of visa pages to again be imprinted!

Before I finish this “book”, I want to give you each a special gift. If you like to read good books, I will leave behind a copy of each of my 14 books in Eleni’s personal library of mine, sitting atop her cabinet in her office. (I would give her more but I know space is a premium in there and I don’t want her to be crowded out.) But check in and see the choices. Or you can get them all on Amazon and Kindle. (All purchased book proceeds go to Love For His People, Inc., but you could get a free copy from me.)

It has been a joy in serving my Lord Jesus Christ while I have been with all of you, and at the same time being a blessing to the good people of Israel and the nations. Maybe on the way to the airport sometime I’ll stop back in and greet you.

Until then, you still have me here for another seven months. (Note: Later changed to five months.)

Be blessed in your calling,

Steve