57 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 over 50 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!

The Lord gave me a sweet, gifted and dedicated wife who has traveled with me most of the time. It has not been easy for her. She loves her own nest as much as any woman, but she has said goodbye to her well-kept house, or to me when I go alone, for all these years. I could not have made it without her, and she continues to bring me great joy and happiness.

Looking Ahead
I have told the Lord that I do not want to make an idol out of this ministry, as much as I love it, and that if He has something else for me, I am willing to do it. I don't feel I am as effective in meetings as I once may have been and there are other evangelists (many good young ones) and I certainly want churches to use them; but until the Lord shows us differently, we'll continue as we are. I will take fewer meetings, as I have this year, and Shirley may not go with me as much. I can hear some pastors say, "You stay home and send Shirley!"

Itinerary
You note some openings in our itinerary for this year. As the Lord leads and opens doors, we would like to add a few more meetings.