I met Esther Frye when she was an older woman, already a widow of 90. I had heard about her amazing chalk art ministry, using detailed chalk drawings and engaging story-telling to present the gospel with children and adults in churches throughout the area.  Her husband had just died and she needed a traveling companion to drive with her, help her set up equipment, and even at times stay overnight in a hotel with her if her traveling took her far enough away. I don’t remember how I got connected with her, but she asked me to help her...and I jumped at the opportunity! She was an amazing woman of God who had artistic gifts I marveled at. Chalk art presentations had become a thing of the past and I saw the irreplaceable value in it...and in her. And, honestly, it was just fun to witness her work!

As I look back, however, it wasn’t Esther’s sweet personality (she had the most darling, soft, sweet voice) or her incredible artistic gifts (everyone young and old was mesmerized during her presentations), but it was her PASSION and PERSISTENCE for the gospel of Jesus Christ that made the biggest impression on me.

For one thing, she was still actively spreading the good news of Jesus Christ in her 90s!!! I remember thinking, “ I want to be like this to my dying day. As long as I have the health to do it, I want to use ALL my moments to share Jesus with anyone I can.” And Esther Frye did just that.

I remember checking into a hotel one night after helping her with a church presentation. It was late and I could see she was very tired. Our own conversation had begun to dwindle in the car ride there, but as we were checking in to get our room key, my heart was both blessed and challenged as I watched her reach over the counter, gently grab the hand of the young girl checking us in, and ask with her sweet, aged voice, “Do you know the Lord?” By the look on the young girl’s face I could see the swing of emotions from discomfort to appreciation to acceptance. I often think back to that moment. It really affected me.

Esther was not just sweet in her presentation of the gospel, however. She could be fierce. She was especially fiery about making sure correct doctrine was taught and communicated in church. There were several occasions where we were traveling to a church that taught a doctrine not in line with the Bible. One church did not believe in teaching about the blood of Jesus. Esther spoke to me about this on the way to set up for the evening and asked me to be praying. I had to chuckle during her presentation that night. I never heard so many references to blood in a children’s talk!

I am sure I only saw the tip of the iceberg by the time I met Esther Frye but it was still a sight to see! And to God be the glory! My hope and prayer is that God will raise up others like Esther to spread His good news, especially children’s ministry workers-those who have creative gifts of communication to tell the greatest story ever told to a new generation who is dying to hear it.