Around the year 1755 a man by the name of Levi Lambertson, along with his two brothers, sailed from their homeland of Wales to begin a new life in America. As immigrants to the colonies, Levi and his brothers witnessed the American Revolution and the birth of a new nation.
Living for a while in Maryland, they eventually made their way westward. Generations later their descendants settled in the western territory that became the State of Kansas. There they farmed the land and raised their families. One of those descendants, five times removed from Levi, was William Junior Lambertson. I knew him well. He was my grandfather.
The Lord allowed me the privilege to live and pastor for sixteen years in Kansas, not far from the farmland where my mother’s side of the family (the Lambertsons) once lived. Now I have the privilege of traveling with my daughter, Tori, on a missions trip to Wales where it all began.
The older I get the more interested I am in learning about my family’s ancestry. Obviously, I’m not the only one interested in the subject. Somebody had to keep a record of all those “begat’s” that appear in the genealogies of the Bible.
In studying my family tree, I have found many Christians. One was my great-great-grandfather Oscar James Lambertson. Born in 1857, he and his wife came by covered wagon to Kansas. I have in my library, books that belonged to O.J. Lambertson, as he was known. He was a fan of D.L. Moody, and owned some of his books. It’s hard to believe as I hold those books in my hands that they were purchased by my great-great-grandfather during the prime years of Moody’s ministry.
As I write this article I am reminded of Paul’s statement to the Romans, “I am a debtor” (Romans 1:14). Like Timothy whose faith resided first in his grandmother, Lois, and his mother Eunice, I have a heritage of faith. I am the product of generations of Lambertsons, Richardsons, Swaffords, and Westons. Ordinary people with extraordinary faith in God. I have been given a precious gift for which I am eternally grateful. I will not mishandle the heritage I have been given, but will pass it down to future generations.
Maybe your family tree is not composed of believers in Jesus. Do not bemoan the fact. Remember that Abraham came from a family of pagan idolaters. The heritage of faith in Abraham’s family started with him, and it continues to this day! If you do not have a Christian heritage, then you have the privilege of being the patriarch or matriarch of faith for your family. The heritage of faith will start with you.
By the time you read this article I will be in Wales. Who knows? I may stumble across a Lambertson!
Pastor Todd Weston
Living for a while in Maryland, they eventually made their way westward. Generations later their descendants settled in the western territory that became the State of Kansas. There they farmed the land and raised their families. One of those descendants, five times removed from Levi, was William Junior Lambertson. I knew him well. He was my grandfather.
The Lord allowed me the privilege to live and pastor for sixteen years in Kansas, not far from the farmland where my mother’s side of the family (the Lambertsons) once lived. Now I have the privilege of traveling with my daughter, Tori, on a missions trip to Wales where it all began.
The older I get the more interested I am in learning about my family’s ancestry. Obviously, I’m not the only one interested in the subject. Somebody had to keep a record of all those “begat’s” that appear in the genealogies of the Bible.
In studying my family tree, I have found many Christians. One was my great-great-grandfather Oscar James Lambertson. Born in 1857, he and his wife came by covered wagon to Kansas. I have in my library, books that belonged to O.J. Lambertson, as he was known. He was a fan of D.L. Moody, and owned some of his books. It’s hard to believe as I hold those books in my hands that they were purchased by my great-great-grandfather during the prime years of Moody’s ministry.
As I write this article I am reminded of Paul’s statement to the Romans, “I am a debtor” (Romans 1:14). Like Timothy whose faith resided first in his grandmother, Lois, and his mother Eunice, I have a heritage of faith. I am the product of generations of Lambertsons, Richardsons, Swaffords, and Westons. Ordinary people with extraordinary faith in God. I have been given a precious gift for which I am eternally grateful. I will not mishandle the heritage I have been given, but will pass it down to future generations.
Maybe your family tree is not composed of believers in Jesus. Do not bemoan the fact. Remember that Abraham came from a family of pagan idolaters. The heritage of faith in Abraham’s family started with him, and it continues to this day! If you do not have a Christian heritage, then you have the privilege of being the patriarch or matriarch of faith for your family. The heritage of faith will start with you.
By the time you read this article I will be in Wales. Who knows? I may stumble across a Lambertson!
Pastor Todd Weston
