February 23 Today in OPC History

On this date in 1986, Lamar Modert, a beloved member of Falls Presbyterian Church, Menomenee Falls, Wisconsin, was ordained and installed as a ruling elder. A graduate of Bryan College, where he met his wife of 62 years, Dottie, Lamar began to embrace the Reformed Faith in the 1970s and early 1980s through reading the books of Francis Schaeffer and Cornelius Van Til. During the period of time in which they were looking for a new church that would teach the Reformed Faith, they were driving on Pilgrim Road and saw the sign for Falls OPC, which Lamar recognized as being part of Van Til's denomination.

They started attending and soon found themselves loving both the people of Falls Church and its preaching and teaching ministry. Dottie would help lead the women's Coffee Break fellowship over the years while Lamar faithfully served as an elder. Lamar was especially know for his smile and warm greeting of all the saints at Falls Church, both young and old. During this time, Pastor Neil Tolsma often thought, "What would we do without Lamar?"

Dottie Modert entered in the presence of the Lord on November 11, 2011, and Lamar Modert on August 19, 2014.

Picture: Lamar and Dottie on their 50th wedding anniversary in September 1999.