My friend found an old photograph of himself taken 75 years ago as a young army recruit who survived World War II. To get into the army, which was still segregated, the young man lied about his age. (He was only 14.) In the photo and the painting, he seems not yet completely in synch with being a soldier.

The young man was honorably discharged in 1947 and, in his words, he “return[ed] to Evansville, Indiana, went back to Lincoln High School, and played football. The schools were segregated in those days …”

Eventually, the young man became a minister, with powerful insights and almost unbounded compassion. He has spent 65 years in the ministry, preached from many pulpits, been paster to many churches, including 14 years as a pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Minneapolis and St. Paul. He has served as chaplain to a state department of corrections and also to a professional basketball team.

Also during the past 75 years, the once young man has become a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, foster parent, religious leader, counselor, author, and in his words, “emissary for G-d.” At the age of 92 continues to study and expound the Bible, praise G-d, and exemplify loving kindness. He has been a close family friend for more than 25 years.