Baptist role models

As far as well-known Baptists, I'd have to say George W. Truett is the first to come to mind. He stood up to the raging fundamentalism and attacks of J. Frank Norris and lived a life of Christian charity and Baptist principles. The second runner-up would be Roger Williams, the founder of the colony of Rhode Island and the founder of the first Baptist church in the New World. He stood by his convictions even when they cost him everything and established the first true separation of church and state in history.

As far as Baptists who are well-known in heaven but not so well-known on earth, I'd have to nominate Dr. Frankie Rainey, a pastor and college/seminary professor here in the Metroplex. He has long been a model to me of practical holiness and spiritual faithfulness as he has nurture many broken people into the wholeness of Christ. A very close second to him is Dr. Wallace Roark, a philosophy professor at a Texas Baptist university, that has helped thousands of students how to think Christianly and how to act without hypocrisy -- even when one's views are not accepted. He is the very model of charity and accountability when falsely accused (it has happened a number of times) and has a humble caring spirit for any who are willing to receive it.

There are a few more, but those four men have been examples to me in my spiritual pilgrimage.

LATE ADDITION:

Two more men who have been a strong influence on me (both recently deceased):

Dr. William R. Estep - Baptist historian and my professor of history at Southwestern Seminary. I also had the privilege of taking one of the last "Church and State" classes he taught with him and we learned quite a bit about the long Baptist struggle for religious liberty. He was also a friend and mentor to me during my seminary time and helped me through one very difficult period in my life. He embodied the loving spirit of Christ and was gentle in word and deed as well as being a world-class scholar. He died in 1999 and I had the privilege of attending his funeral honoring him and his family by my presence.

Dr. William Hendricks - Although I was never officially a student of Bill Hendricks, I crossed paths with him a number of times over the last two decades. His work discussing the intersection of art and theology was an enormous inspiration for me to begin taking my writing seriously and making that my primary long-term ministry. I never failed to be encouraged by him and I enjoyed hearing him teach on any subject. His book, "A Theology for Children" is an essential book for any minister's library. He died this last Sunday and his funeral was this morning in Fort Worth.

[ December 12, 2002, 12:54 AM: Message edited by: Baptist Believer ]

 

Dr. W. Francis Mcbeth: Professor Emeritus of Music Theory and Composition at Ouchita Baptist University and a good friend. He is, hands down, the greatest Band Composer alive today anywhere in the world. His most well known piece is probably "Of Sailors and Whales" based on the novel "Moby Dick". He is also one of the most loving, humble, Godly, and giving men I have ever met. He is willing to talk to anyone and always try to help them in any way he can. I see him every year at the state band director's conference and he always brings a smile to my face.

Joseph Botwinick

 

C. H. Spurgeon

* Faithfully preached God's Word.
* Lived a life of integrity.
* Remained faithfully married to an invalid wife.
* Pastored God's people.
* Evangelized the lost.
* Cared for the widows and orphans.
* Trained young men for ministry.
* Fought diligently for the truth.

 

It doesn't seem that long ago that Daniel Vestal and company were a fairly happy part of the SBC.

Glad you had a chance to meet him. He greatly enriched my life.

 

I second Rev G's nomination.

 

C. H. Spurgeon

[ December 14, 2002, 12:37 AM: Message edited by: Daveth ]

 

I have two mentors, both gone on to the Lord for sometime now. One was in England, Dr. John Wilmot, who pastored the one Baptist Church all his life. He asked his lady friend to marry him, but she refused because God was calling her to missions. She went; he remained; both single,,,,,,then got married when she retired from the mission field and he from the pastorate. He was also an occasional lecturer at a seminary.

The Canadian is Dr. Morley R. Hall. He was a founding secretary of the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada. Faithful to the word and to the Word; a good preacher of sound doctrine and a friend to young Baptist ministers. An exemplary witness for Christ.

Cheers,

Jim

 

BaptistBeliever,
I spent a week with William Hendricks at Glorietta years ago. He was the most incredible teacher I ever heard.

 

Amen!

He was truly great in the Kingdom... I was always impressed by his simple humility - he made other people feel important. Sort of like Mr. (Fred) Rogers with his gentle nature and simple ways of teaching profound truth.

 

Hold on to it. I doubt the SBC will ever reprint his material while the "conservative resurgence" crowd is still in power.

I just wish I could find a copy.

 

Both Dr. Richard Weeks and B. Myron Cedarholm were greats of the faith. I had both as teachers at MBBC. Would choose Dr. Richard Weeks, who I had for Baptist Polity, Baptist History, Acts, and Revelation. Although I played football Dr. Weeks unfortunately was not helping when I played. I think that he knew more about Baptist History than anyone alive in his time.

 

My pastor was my greatest role model. As a baby Christian he provided a biblical foundation for living and growth. His faithful expository preaching and his kind rebuke of wrong behavior provided a guide for a young impressionable teenager.

Along with my pastor was a deacon in my home church who involved me in ministry at the Sunday afternoon jail services. It was there I first preached and first saw fruit in my ministry. He bought me a subscription to "Sword of the Lord" and counseled me when I was having problems in my Christian walk.

These two men set the course of over 30 years in pastoral ministry, and they have been my role models.

 

Charles "Chuck" Poole. Edd Rowell. Walter "Buddy" Shurden.

 

John Bunyan

C. H. Spurgeon

Luke
John
Peter
Paul
Matthew
Mark
Etc.