A Treasure in the House

by

On October 16, 2011 the family of Covenant Harvest Church came together to celebrate Pop Dan Tirella’s 85^th Birthday and to “give honor to whom honor is due.”   Pop Dan was 75 years old when  he obeyed God’s will to move from New Jersey, where he had lived ALL his life, to the middle of Kansas, so he can live out his remaining days connected and part of the body at Covenant Harvest Church.  He has opened his heart to the people here, sharing his knowledge of God’s word and his table, filled with pasta, meatballs and all sorts of delicious baked goods, on a regular basis.  He has mentored young people and teaches bible in Covenant Harvest School.  Not bad for an 85 year old guy.

After munching on snacks and enjoying the birthday cake, many of those who came to celebrate Pop Dan stood to present him with gifts taken from moments they spent with him and memories they have shared together.  There were also prophetic words spoken into his life.  There was a time of prayer and praise and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  If you are around Pop Dan for any length of time, it is apparent that he passionately loves God and people and if you were there at his birthday celebration it was apparent that the people here love him right back!

Someone called him a “gem” and “treasure” in our midst and I believe that best sums it up.  What you see is exactly what you get…he is the “real thing”.  When he decided to follow Jesus, he meant it and he has never turned back.  He was a pastor for many years and what he preached he lived…and I should know…because I don’t call him “Pop Dan”, I call him “Dad”.