Aletheia Baptist Fellowship
Cookeville, Tennessee 38501
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• Education: I have a master’s degree in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a DMin from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary with emphasis on the believer’s vital prayer life.
• Experience: I was called to the ministry in the summer of 1974, began pastoring in 1981. I have pastored 7 churches. I have worked with the North American Mission Board and the International Mission Board as a Church Planter Apprentice and a Voluntary Missionary/Evangelist/Teacher in Peru respectively.
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: God is the source and He alone deserves any praise forthcoming.
• Sermon or series that made a difference: I read Charles Spurgeon regularly. Adrian Rogers was perhaps my favorite preacher.
• One of my favorite illustrations: On March 11, 1991, eight-year-old Anthony Henderson upset the distinguished leader of our nation, President George Bush. President Bush was visiting Anthony’s school and had sat down beside Anthony to read him a book. Suddenly in the midst of the reading Anthony Henderson queried, "Are you really the President?" Mr. Bush was quite surprised by the question and even moreso as he saw the serious look on the lad’s face. President Bush responded, "Yeah, you mean you didn’t know that?" "Did you think I was a pretend guy or something?" Mr. Bush then muttered, "how can I prove it to you?" Our president of the United States then proceeded to pull out identification from his wallet. "Let’s see now, here is my driver’s license; see it says B-U-S-H, Bush." "My name is George Herbert Walker Bush". Anthony didn’t seem convinced. President Bush then pulled out a series of identification items he thought would persuade the child of the truth. "Here is my American Express Card; here is a picture of my grandchild and here is one of my grandson playing baseball". Finally Mr. Bush said, "I guess that is all I have to show you unless you will accept that black limousine out there; or maybe I’ll give you an autograph". "Oh no", replied Anthony. "The teacher said we can’t take autographs". There is a picture in the March issue of USA Today of Anthony Henderson sitting with a puzzled President examining his American Express Card. Don’t leave home without it. But even that didn’t help George Herbert Walker Bush with Anthony Henderson. Listen church, it is getting harder and harder to get sinners to come to your church. Do you know why? Its because the world is looking for proof that we are what we say we are. Just because you sit in the church house every Sunday will not convince the world you’re a bonafide Christian anymore than a driver’s license convinced Anthony Henderson of our President’s identity. What is it going to take? Jesus gave us that answer in John 13:35, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another".
• Family: I have a wife and three kids, youngest son just leaving the United States Marine Corp having served two tours of duty in Iraq.
• What my parents think of my sermons: They have been in my church for 9 years and mother commented the other day, "Son, you get more out of a passage of scripture than any other preacher I’ve listened to." Dad, my senior of 26 years, is faithful to encourage me in my preaching.
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: She says there is no other preacher she had rather hear. I am blessed with a marvelous wife giving incredible support to God’s called ministry in my life.
• Best advice given to me about preaching: 1 Kings 22:14, "And Micaiah said, As the Lord liveth, what the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak."
• Books that have had an impact: Beyond the Word of God my favorite book, books by Dwight Pentecost, John Phillips, Grant Jeffrey, Tim LaHaye, John Walvoord, David Jeremiah, and Harry Ironside have blessed me immensely.
• Hobbies: Woodworking, gospel illusionist, trumpet player
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: He is Lord
• Something funny that happened while preaching: I baptized one night and characteristically rolled my tie up and inserted in my pocket to keep it from getting wet under my robe and waders. Forgot to take it out before preaching. People were laughing at me and I couldn’t figure it out.
• What I want on my tombstone: I tried to get them to let me rent because I ain’t staying long.