The Lord uses and blesses them
February 9, 2009 (Monday)
I visited the 11:00 a.m. worship service at the First Baptist Church of Rockport yesterday. The pastor, Bro. Scott Jones, recognized me as being among the worshipers, and during his sermon, referred to the immediate past minister, Bro. Walter Knight, quoting him. How very gracious of Bro. Scott Jones. I thank him for his kindness. I enjoyed worshiping at Rockport and hearing him bring an excellent message from the Book of James.
Paul wrote much about his co-workers, and there were several who shared his ministry and were of tremendous value to the Kingdom of God and the work of the Church. Most of those who traveled with him were ministers of the gospel also. They worked cooperatively and accomplished much for the Lord.
I am indebted to other preachers for their impact upon my life. There was Brother Green, who came with the evangelist to my grandparent’s home in Houston and got permission to baptize me when I was just a boy. There was Brother Hunt, who encouraged me as a teen ager to make the right decisions and to answer the call of God to the ministry, giving me my first opportunity to preach at church. My friend, Herb Zimmerman, allowed me to work with him in the church near Groesbeck where he was pastor, teaching me by example how to work with people and how to preach. Then Bro. Olen Waldrip, pastor at Groesbeck, asked me to come work with him as Associate Pastor and music director for a year and a half, then recommending me to my first pastorate at Oletha,15 miles away. Later, when I pastored a mission church in Lampasas, the very generous Mack Cole, pastor of the sponsor church, encouraged me and helped me in many, many ways, and in later years recommended me to places of service. These men helped me get started. Afterwards, numerous pastors and staff members encouraged me and worked alongside me in the Lord’s work. Today, two of my dearest friends are coworkers: Dale Pogue, fellow pastor and former staff associate, and Troy Conner, who is Music Minister at the Timbergrove Baptist Church where I am now the pastor. Dale and Ann, his wife, are two of the Lord’s most beloved servants. Troy and Ruth, his wife, brighten my life daily. Without Troy’s influence, I don’t see how I would have ever become a Christian or a preacher of the gospel.
When I moved to Rockport to pastor the First Baptist Church 44 years ago, I had known the former pastor, Wilson Brumley, for many years and had a deep appreciation for him and his family. I had also known W.D. Broadway, pastor in the fifties, greatly admiring his work and his family. Bro. Broadway recommended me to the Rockport church. I also knew and had appreciation for at least one other former pastor at Rockport, Bro. Walter Crabb, who was a dear man of God.
In addition to these brothers in the ministry, hundreds of others who were not preachers but were devoted servants of the Lord in the churches have blessed my life immeasurably. I could not have the privilege of looking back over many years of service to the Lord in the churches without the work they did through the years. I learned to depend upon them and trust them. They are indeed the light and salt that Jesus talked about. They continue today to let their lights shine for Christ, doing His work. Some are reading this blog today. Many have gone to be with Jesus. Some day I hope to be present when the Lord publicly commends them for their faithfulness.