56 Years Ago
It was on Palm Sunday, 1952, as an 18 year old, and saved only about a year, that I surrendered to preach. Dr. H. C. Walton, my pastor and the one who led me to the Lord, called me out of class at Memphis State College early that week saying he wanted me to preach my first message on the following Easter Sundy night! He promised to help me with an outline and preparation, which he did, and as a trembling young preacher I preached my first message one week after surrendering to preach. The next summer I was invited to conduct a revival meeting in a rural church near Memphis; then other invitations came. For the remainder of my college years in Tennessee and graduate school at Bob Jones University, I preached revival meetings during the summer and sometimes during the school year. For 56 years the Lord has kept me busy. Many evangelists have accomplished much more in less time, but I praise the Lord that He has allowed me to serve Him and has given some increase of fruit to His glory. The failures have been mine -- the victories His!

Shirley and I will celebrate our 53rd wedding anniversary on February 5, 2008. I will begin my 56th year in evangelism on Easter Sunday, and in July I will celebrate my 75th birthday!So there is a lot going on this year. We continously praise Him for His love and faithfulness.

I have all the meetings we need until summer.We do have some openings in the fall.As the Lord leads and opens the doors, it would be good to add two or three more meetings.We are not filling our schedule as we have in years past.But, it is our desire to serve Him as long as we are physically able and pastors and churches want us!!