The congregation of Christian Life Center has taken Pastor Appreciation Day to new heights. Literally.

The Rev. Rex Robertson knew something was up last Sunday but just how far up, he never imagined.

Oh, he expected something unique from Brenda Cummings, social director for the church who was in charge of planning the event, but not this unique.

Cummings, as she has done in the three previous Pastor Appreciation Days, arrived at a theme, then carried it out flawlessly, including arranging transportation for the pastor, which no one would deny topped the previous three events.

The theme, “We’d Be Lost Without You,” emphasized the survivor/jungle concept. And since the congregation wanted to honor their pastor and “lift” him up, why not go airborne?

After picking Robertson up at his home in a four-wheel drive vehicle, Randy Cummings (Brenda’s husband) took off for the Joplin Airport, still not revealing to their pastor their next destination.

“He thought we were going on a mud run,” said Brenda Cummings. “Then, Randy told him that they had to go first to the airport and drop off a package.”

Robertson was fine with that until shortly after they arrived and he noticed a helicopter warming up.

“That’s when they told me, ‘You are the package,’ ” he said. “This helicopter ride was one of the most amazing gifts. We flew out over Joplin, Oronogo and Webb City on a 30-minute tour before finally going to the church. What was unique is that they kept to the survivor theme by having an SOS where the helicopter landed.”

The congregation of about 200 members were outside waiting to greet their beloved pastor.

“They are truly an amazing congregation of people,” Robertson said. “I was so surprised and they did it up right.”

The pastor also added his amazement with the job done in following the theme, including the gift presented to him by the congregation.

“The gift was a GPS and followed the theme of being lost,” he said. “Everything went together so well.”

Christian Life Center, which moved to its new location at 1700 S. Prosperity Road about a year ago, began Pastor Appreciation Day four years ago with the theme “You’re Worth Your Weight in Gold.” That is when Robertson was picked up and driven to the church in a black Hummer as a Secret Service agent.

The following year was “We’re Fortunate to Have You,” with a Chinese theme.