On Sept. 7, the Tulsa, Oklahoma, congregation hosted a reception honoring the Elliotts. Mark Welch, operation manager of Minister and Member Services presented them with several gifts and expressed thanks for their dedication and faithful service to God and the brethren. At a farewell presentation on Sept. 22, David Palmer, pastor of Abbotsford, British Columbia, presented the Elliotts with an iconic Canadian Hudson’s Bay Point blanket on behalf of Anthony Wasilkoff and the Canadian ministry. 

Mr. Elliott was ordained on April 16, 1976. John and Merrie have served congregations in Ohio, Arkansas, South Dakota, California, Arizona and Washington, in addition to congregations throughout British Columbia, Canada. Mr. Elliott was senior pastor for East Africa for 15 years and has been Festival coordinator for sites in Canada and East Africa. He has been on the Council of Elders from 2011 to 2019, and from 2020 to present. 

Mr. Elliott reflected on his years in the ministry: 

“It has truly been an honor to serve full-time in God’s work for nearly five decades in one of the most meaningful roles a human can have. Nearly everything about a pastor’s work is about promoting others to share eternity in God’s Kingdom. Surely the work can get complicated, difficult, challenging, even trying at times. This calling also provided personal growth opportunities that, although challenging, produced good fruit. With God’s inspiration and positive member support comes a sense of fulfillment in serving candidates for the God family. It’s a busy life involving constant driving, visiting, counseling, anointing, coordinating church services, Feasts, teen events, marriages and baptisms. All that continual activity and focus away from home puts a strain on the family’s life. Striving for balance and trying to involve everyone as much as possible worked pretty well. All of our family and extended family members are in God’s Church which is a real blessing. One of the greatest gifts that I discovered is training and mentoring people of all ages for roles of service where Christ directs. Doing so multiplies the number of potential leaders, deacons, deaconesses, elders, pastors and senior pastors. My sincere appreciation goes to all of you who contribute in serving the brethren in God’s Church everywhere.” 

Coworkers and many family friends have also commented on the impact the Elliotts have had in their lives. 

From Anthony and Linda Wasilkoff: “We convey our warm regards and appreciation to John and Merrie Elliott for their many years of faithful service in the Church of God to God’s precious people in the United States, Canada and overseas. It is significant to us that their service started in British Columbia, Canada, and concluded in British Columbia, Canada, so many years later. We value the many ways in which they served in the Church both pastorally and administratively—all of which have required considerable hard work, time and sacrifice. We wish the Elliotts many years of enjoyable and rewarding retirement living close to family thus affording them quality time to spend with special loved ones. On behalf of UCG-Canada, we thank them and wish them well in every way.” 

From Monte and Susie Knudson: “We’ve known the Elliotts for almost 20 years. God has used them to come into many people’s lives, including our family’s. His calling and applying the godly teachings, along with displaying the fruit of the Spirit has helped us in doing the same. We will always remember these two very special people!” 

From Daniel Reisdorff: “To understand John Elliott one must understand his priorities: keep his covenant to God; love and serve above all else; keep his covenant to his wife and help each other be in the First Resurrection. He lived these priorities in true humility and faith. What John gave most generously was opportunity—the chance and encouragement to grow. John Elliott is one of the 10 best things that has happened in my life.” 

From Nathan and Jackie Ekama: “We love you and are so excited for you both as you transition into retirement. It is hard to put into words how big of an impact you had on us. We really appreciate how sincere and authentic you both were as you were dealing with us as we were young, helping guide us into adulthood and service to the congregation and focusing us on God. Your legacy is a fantastic one. We are honored to be a part of the lives that you touched along the way.”  

From Ed and RaeAnn Dowd: “Congratulations and welcome to retirement. You have touched so many lives over these past four decades. We are thankful for your service to God’s people. We are thankful for all that you have done for Him and for those He is calling. We are happy you are living here in Oklahoma!”  

The Elliotts have been married for 47 years and have three daughters and eight grandchildren. John wrote, “Now it is time to pass the baton and to serve in other ways as God inspires. Retirement will provide Merrie and me time to help parents and family members, and to interact with our grandchildren more. It will also provide more time for writing, developing sermons and serving on the Council of Elders. We are thankful to God for the opportunity to have served full-time these past years, and we look forward to serving alongside you, forever (Revelation 22:3).”