Welcome to Breakpoint, a daily look at an ever-changing culture through the lens of unchanging truth. For the Colson Center, I'm John Stone Street. Each year, the Colson Center recognizes those who have served as Colson Fellows cohort directors for at least five years or who have served above and beyond the call of duty in some way. The Colson Medal is not awarded for popularity or influence or public recognition. It's to honor persistent and persevering faithfulness, the kind of lives that stand out in our celebrity-driven culture today, in which visibility is prized over and above virtue, style over substance, and audience size over impact.
But Jesus never suggested that greatness would be found in prominence. He said, Whoever would be great among you must be your servant. One of these servants, a recipient of the Colson Medal this year, was Tracy Remy. Sadly, on June 26, Tracy went to be with the Lord, passing away just a few weeks after learning he would be recognized with the Colson Medal. Michael Craven, Dean of the Colson Fellows program, describes the life of this precious saint.
I first met Tracy in twenty twenty, who before completing the Colson Fellows program had already applied to become a cohort director. He was hoping to launch a new Colson Fellows cohort in Des Moines, Iowa. There was only one problem. We didn't have a single alumnus in the area.
Now, most people would have concluded their vision would have to wait. Tracy did not. Instead, he joined the leadership team of our Central Time Zone online cohort. There, where he faithfully mentored Coulson Fellows in training from around the country while quietly continuing to recruit men and women throughout central Iowa. because he believed that in time God would provide the people needed to establish a local cohort.
Four years later that prayer became reality. What many people never knew was that Tracy didn't even live in Des Moines. He lived over a hundred miles away in Algona, a small rural community north of Des Moines.
So every month, well into his nineties, he drove more than two hours each way to lead the Des Moines cohort before making the trip home again. all while he continues serving on our online leadership team. Tracy was ninety two years old when he passed away. But what made Tracy remarkable wasn't simply his perseverance. It was his character.
Tracy possessed that rare combination of humility, kindness, gentleness, and steadfast love that left everyone around him feeling encouraged. He never sought attention. He simply showed up, month after month, year after year, faithfully investing in others. Why? because he loved Christ and His Church.
Last month I had the privilege of telling Tracey that he had been selected to receive the Coulson Medal for his extraordinary service. and true to his character, his first response was to insist that he wasn't worthy of such recognition. That humility only confirmed why he was. Tracy's story is not unique within the Colson Fellows program. Today, more than 1,200 Colson Fellows volunteer their time to serve other believers through regional, online, and international cohorts.
as well as church and academic affiliates across the US and around the world. After long work days, they prepare for their monthly cohort discussions, mentor students, encourage those who are struggling, and lead monthly cohort meetings in churches, classrooms, and conference rooms. They pray, challenge, and walk alongside fellow believers, often with little public recognition. Most people will never know their names. But God will.
in a cultural moment captivated by influencers and the number of followers. These men and women remind us that the church has always been built by servants more than celebrities. the kingdom of God rarely advances through spectacular moments. More often, it grows through ordinary believers who faithfully obey Christ. often in obscure places with little notice or fanfare.
The World Celebrates Those Who Make Headlines. but heaven celebrates those who make disciples. The Colson metal exists to remind us of that truth. It honors not extraordinary talent, but But extraordinary faithfulness. The kind of faithfulness that quietly transforms lives, strengthens churches.
And equips Christians to serve Christ wherever and whenever He has called them. Tracy Ramey's life stands as a beautiful witness that the greatest legacy we leave is seldom measured by applause. but but the lives in which we faithfully invest for the glory of God. One day every follower of Christ hopes to hear the same word spoken over a lifetime of quiet obedience Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master.
Thank you, Michael, and thank you, Lord, for Tracy Remy. For the Colson Center, I'm John Stone Street with Breakpoint. Today's Breakpoint was co-authored with Michael Craven. If you're a fan of Breakpoint, leave us a review wherever you download podcasts. And for more resources or to share this commentary with more people, go to Breakpoint.org.
