God brought me to salvation in December of 1949, and in His divine providential dealings, He brought me to the realization of a call into the ministry. After being saved, I felt impressed to relate the "good news" to others, and also began to write down sermon topics and feeble outlines. As this process continued, I began to feel the impressions of the Spirit to preach, even though I felt maybe I was mistaken. Finally I just had to tell others, so on the first Sunday in August 1950, I announced to the Bethany Baptist Church at Rushtown, Ohio my call to the ministry. The pastor of the church, Brother William Smith, told me he had been impressed about me preaching but didn't want to say anything, as he wanted me to know myself.
At this time I was asked by the preacher who had preached the sermon that afternoon about attending a Southern Baptist School, and I said I would like to do that. However, in God's providence, as a result of my wife's parents, I heard of a new Baptist school which was just beginning in Lexington, Kentucky. We went down to investigate and I immediately was moved to attend there.
I thank God I was first taught to make the Word of God my primary source of study; to find out, "What Saith the Scriptures?" (Romans 4:3); to "study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15). I spent four and a half years attending this school, while also driving back and forth between Lexington, Kentucky and Rushtown, Ohio, where I was an associate to Bro. Smith. I also spent a good bit of time in doing supply work in other churches and missions around the Lexington area. I appreciated these opportunities, as it surely was a learning experience.
During my last year in school, I was called to pastor a Baptist church at Garrison, Kentucky, which I pastored for two years, after being ordained by the Bethany Baptist Church. Because of my convictions, I resigned and then preached at a mission sponsored by the Kings Addition Baptist Church. I then accepted the pastorate of Calvary Baptist Church at Maysville, Kentucky, where I preached for two years. I was blessed by my experience at these churches, although I again resigned because of my convictions. I did not pastor for a year and God used this time to teach me some vital lessons.
May I inject that at this time my precious wife was at my side all through these experiences, for which I praise God. She has been faithful in serving God in playing the piano and in mothering our five children, which means she was a very busy person. How thankful we are for her continual encouragement and help!
In February 1960, I was called to pastor at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Ohio, and I was there for eighteen and a half years. It would be impossible to relate all of our blessings while being there. It was there our children grew up and all graduated from South Point High School.
God has granted me the opportunity to preach in many churches and attend many Bible Confrences, during which time I met many brothers and sister in Christ and many of the Lord's servants, who have been an inspiration and a great help to me and our family.
I am now the pastor of Naples Park Baptist Church and have preached here for almost 22 years. God has been so gracious to us all of these years, and I trust I can say "it is my desire to finish my course with joy." (Acts 20:24). I want above all to praise God for the opportunity to preach, as well as all of the blessings I have recieved. I also want to thank God for my family and for all they have done, as they are a part of my ministry.
I do not know church-wise what the future holds, but "hitherto hath the Lord helped me." It is my desire to be used in any way He deems best.
