astors George and Jill Marin have been leading the flock at Grace Christian Church (GCC) for 20 years. Their 20th anniversary service was Sunday, Oct. 27.
During the service their children — Albert Lea High School senior Suzie and 2010 ALHS graduate Elisha — sat in the pews near their mother and father. Suzie sent her mother encouraging looks and reached out to squeeze her father’s hand affectionately.
The service was unlike the average Sunday service at GCC. It started with reading of letters sent from afar by fellow pastors who have been taught by Pastor George. There was one letter sent from across the globe written by a pastor in Macedonia.
“I consider him as a mentor and friend,” the letter said of Pastor George.
Other members of the congregation got up and sang their praises of Pastor George. Suzie spoke of the lives she’s seen her father touch. She expressed how thankful she is to have her parents in her life and see them make a difference in the community.
“This is just a small example of the people whose lives you’ve touched,” Elisha said, when he was handed the mic. He gestured at the congregation, all their heads nodding with agreement.
All the while Pastor George calmly sat in a chair facing the speakers, accepting the compliments given to him by his flock. Every once in awhile he’d comment “Praise God,” or “That’s the truth,” after a powerful statement made by the speaker.
After the service there was an elegant lunch to celebrate the church’s 20th anniversary. Suzie was up helping out in any way she could. She hardly had time to enjoy her meal like the rest of the family because she felt she needed to help clean, get ready and keep the guests comfortable.
“I’m not nearly as involved as Elisha,” Suzie said, as to why she feels the need to help with the little things at church.
At the end of the day, when she changes out of her Sunday’s best, Suzie feels good about the difference she and her family make.
“I really like that my parents are making a difference in peoples’ lives,” Suzie said.
Suzie sees the people affected by her parents. Whether at church or when they work as Chaplains at Fountain Center giving guidance and prayer to individuals going through drug treatment. But she doesn’t often get a moment to herself with her father. Often he is busy all week with preparing for Sunday service.
“We have to share him,” Suzie said.
Suzie feels her parents have stricter rules and uphold higher moral standards than the average parental unit. They don’t want Suzie being in a negative atmosphere that could affect her faith. She couldn’t go to a school dance until she was a freshman and her parents advise her to choose her friends wisely.
Though she behaves a certain way to present herself well to the community, Suzie feels she’s more than just ‘Pastor George’s daughter.’
“That’s not all that I am,” Suzie said.
Outside of church Suzie is involved in choir, Caroliers, Show Choir and was captain of the ALHS Girls’ Tennis team this fall. She has been accepted to a handful of universities but plans on attending North Dakota State University. She plans on pursuing a career in physical therapy or something else health related. NDSU is ideal for Suzie because of the distance. She hopes to come out her shell while six hours away from home. At NDSU Suzie hopes people will get to know her as Suzie, not just as ‘Pastor George’s Daughter.’
At heart, Suzie will always be proud to be a preacher’s daughter because of the positive things her parents do in the community.
“Even though it’s not the easiest thing in the world, having my parents be pastors,” Suzie said. “I don’t think I’d change it if I could.”