Rev. Bruce Hartley

When God Became Real…
I could share where I was born or where I went to school in this bio. I could share with you the names of my children and my wife and how long I have been married. I could share with you the graduate school I attended or my favorite sport. I could, but would that make God real? Would that entice you to come to church? What I want to share with you is when God became real- for me.

I met God when, at age 5, I walked into the back door of the Ravenna United Methodist Church, in Ravenna, Ohio and found the Kindergarten Sunday School classroom. I was greeted by Miss Doris Wise. Miss Wise had to be God. She was welcoming and kind. She made a place for me around the table and shared snacks with the class, including me, a stranger in the midst.

In my teen years, I struggled like many teens. It was the summer before my senior year in high school when, through what I now believe to be a series of God-driven moments, I attended a week long camping experience at Lakeside, Ohio. During that week I listened to the scripture come alive through a pastor who obviously had great passion for Christ. My small group was lead by a compassionate and grace-filled lady, Carol Levy, who again included me in the conversation and activities.

I cannot tell you the exact scripture shared or the theme for the week. I can tell you that this was another experience when God became real. I can tell you that during that week in August of 1977 I said to myself, “If this is what God is like, then I want all of this kind of love I can get.”

That week, along with numerous experiences, like meeting Miss Wise, I began to walk a new life- a life with and for Christ. It was also during that week at Lakeside, Ohio that I believe the seed for my call to ministry was planted. The grace-filled people of Ravenna UMC nurtured my call to ordained ministry.

The God I worship is not in some far off distant galaxy. The God I serve is intimately connected to me, leading me through challenges, resting a hand upon me when I am in need of healing, and filling me with hope for the journey that remains.
Through Christ, the Son of God, I am redeemed and made whole. Through Christ I am now one who seeks to make God real for others, maybe you.

I am forever indebted to Miss Wise, Carol Levy, Bob Douglass, Dr. Tom Boomershine and many others God has placed in my path; through their lives God has become real to me.

I pray that God will lead you to people who will make God’s love and grace real. I pray you will come to experience the healing arms of God wrapped around you. I pray you will in turn make God real to others who God sends to you.