Have you ever had someone that just influenced you beyond what you could imagine? Honestly, can you think of a person, that by the Grace of God, helped form your life? I know that I have had people that formed my life. If it wasn’t for God using them, I don’t know where I’d be. And unlike the world would have you to think, these people are not “popular.” Yet, God has used them to encourage, guide, discipline, teach, and bless me. Ultimately, it is God that works, but God used these pastors in my life to shape and mold me as a preacher of the Gospel.
Pastor Gerald Wood – Rio Grande Baptist Church: Albuquerque, NM
You may not know this pastor, and chances are you won’t hear much about him in days to come. He has retired and is a member of the church I got saved in. I was saved at Rio Grande Baptist Church as a 16 year old boy when Brother Wood was the pastor. As I consider this preacher, one thought comes to mind: He was a Gospel Preacher. I remember that he always preached about the saving Grace of Jesus Christ. When I first started preaching, he told me that the greatest message ever preached revolves around the Gospel. He would tell me that fancy illustrations and self help sermons only do so much, but the Old Time Preaching of thse Gospel will change lives in this life and the life to come.
Pastor Brian McMath – Valley Bible Baptist Church: Espanola, NM
Pastor McMath is a unique Man of God. If I only needed one person to pray for me, it would be Pastor McMath. I first met this preacher at an event we used to have in our school called, Baptist Regionals. He preached during that school week, and it was there God called me to preach the Gospel. I will never forget the message, “If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments.” As a 16 year old boy, I knew God was commanding me to preach, and God used Pastor McMath to confirm God’s calling with his sermon. I now have the opportunity to be sent out of his church as church planter/evangelist.
Pastor Tim Ruhl – Pleasant Valley Baptist Church: Chico, CA
Pastor Ruhl influenced me while I was in Bible College. He was a pastor that drove 3 hours one way just to help Golden State Baptist College. He taught on Tuesday, with two other pastors. Pastor Ruhl would be considered a modern day Elijah in my eyes. It seems that God has blessed him in a unique way. Every time I heard him preach, it seemed as if the “Fire Fell,” almost like it was at his command, just like Elijah. He is a very compassionate man that walks close to God. I remember sitting in his Homiletics II class and just asking God to use me like God used Pastor Ruhl. Honesty, he was HARD on us, because he loved Christ, the Cause of Christ, and young preacher boys. I learned how to pray because of this one man!
Pastor/Missionary Ed Bordell – Missionary To Costa Rica
Brother Bordell is one of a kind. He is the most real preacher I know. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks, except God and the people he loves. This hard attitude for God, with a genuine desire to be used of God, has lead him to building a strong missionary work in Costa Rica. I first met him while at Bible College, and he just told it like it was, even if he offended the “politics” in fundamentalism. Yet, if you ever met this man, you would feel like he was your friend for life. We had him preach our church revival last May, and he was such a blessing. By the Grace of God, he just seemed to revive the hearts of our people to serve Christ and love sinners like Christ.
Pastor Jeff Carr – Mesa Baptist Church: Rio Rancho, NM
Pastor Carr is another unique man. He knows what he believes and why he believes it. He has helped me the most when it comes to my convictions and Bible doctrine. I always understood that doctrine was important, and even worth separating over, but Pastor Carr helped me see that there is more to being a Baptist than the “fundamental.” Not only is he strong in doctrine, but he and his church are strong in missions. Mesa Baptist Church helps MANY missionaries in the USA and around the world. He has a heart for lost people as well as a heart for pure Bible doctrine. Pastor Carr was the first pastor that gave to our church building project. The gift from his church was $5,000.
Even though I only mentioned a few preachers, really, I could be here all day telling you of the great pastors that have helped me as a young preacher. One day, God will reward them for their service to Christ, their love for the Bible, and their love for lost souls. One day in eternity, I will chase each preacher down to tell them “Thank You!”
Great Book On Being A Strong Preacher
Preachers Guide To Becoming A Man Of God | |
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