The Story Behind the Patch
“On the Road” was written and sponsored by Mark and Debra Hazlewood in honor of Rev. and Mrs. Thomas A. Steenberg, missionaries to Japan for 35 years. Here’s Deb to tell the story behind the patch, or perhaps the story behind her Dad.
I grew up in Japan as a ‘missionary kid’ and like to think that Dad’s love of scripture has been passed down to me. I remember Dad always studying, always reading, always being in the Word. And if he loved the Word, he also loved the PROCLAMATION of it. He would say, “Have Bible. Will preach!” Dad would preach whole “series” where all the sermons were connected and built upon each other. From Lenten symbols, to Jesus’ last words, to blessings in the Bible, crosses, and even trees and birds in the Bible. It’s no coincidence that trees and birds are two patches in the RP3 Series. Indeed, Dad and his sermons were always in the background informing many of the decisions regarding the RP3 Series. Mark and I chose “On the Road” because this patch is about mission work and taking the Gospel “on the road” – something Dad and Mom did for 35 years in Japan. The patch includes one of my favorite stories about the encounter with Jesus on the Emmaus Road. I can still hear Dad's voice saying, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened scripture to us?" Although you may not know my Dad, it is our prayer that the Gospel that he preached – indeed, the name of Jesus Christ – burn in your hearts as you share and study Scripture with children, youth and families.
Note: Rev. Steenberg passed away in October 2018. Mark and Deb were proud to present a draft of “On the Road” to him before his passing.
