A tribute to my Pastors

October is Pastor Appreciation month. There are many pastors that have impacted my life and my ministry.  The first is Rev. Ernest O. Sikes Jr.  ( AKA. ERN) he was my first Pastor in the spring of 1962 or perhaps 1961 my parents were invited to a mission church that had moved from Blue Lakes elementary school to a property that would become the Gateway Baptist Church. My parents started attending there when they relocated to that part of Miami. My parents were very active in that work. My mother taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and served on various committees. My father was a Sunday School teacher, RA leader, deacon and served on various committees. I was enrolled in the cradle role in May of 1965 . In January of 1973 I trusted Christ and was Baptized into the membership of that church. Ernest taught me many things and a love for Sunday School and instilled in me that the Sunday School was the largest lay led organization of the local church. He instilled in me a love for preaching, it was under his leadership that I felt and answered the call to preach in October of 1979. In December of 1979 the pulpit became vacant with the resignation of Ernest to become a Director of Missions. I was introduced to my first huge change in leadership with the calling of Rev. James D. Soles. I knew him because my mother worked for him ( even though he said he worked for her) at the Florida Baptist Children's Homes. I now had the opportunity to know him as my Pastor. It was because of him that I had my earliest opportunities to serve in the church. He gave me the chance to pray in church, lead out in the visitation program and taught me a new perspective on preaching. A gentler approach is more of a teaching style. He taught me a love for children and the true meaning of the passage " Let no man despise thy youth." It was because of him I continued my education through college and seminary.  He was forever my encouragement and cheerleader.  In the Summer of 1985 Jim helped open doors for me to fill the pulpit in several churches in South Florida. Serving as summer minister of youth and education at my first church. In the summer of 1987 one of my professors was serving as interim Pastor of the North East Baptist Church.  ( Rev. Dr.)Wallice Rives asked me to cover for him while he was on Vacation. This became my first pastorate and led to my ordination into the ministry.  The next part of my journey was when Rev. Robert S. Geer became the pastor of Gateway. I learned the meaning of the word kindness and was given yet another opportunity to learn another method of preaching and pastoring. He became a friend to this young future pastor and encouraged me to reach and to grow. He started me off in my love for books. I have the first books he gave me for my library. He encouraged me to study and to apply the verse "study to show yourself approved unto God a workman needs not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth."  As a pastor I always wondered who do you go to who is your pastor. For many years the following men have filled that position in my life. Ernest for the first two and 1/2 decades he was always available for me to call and talk to and cry on his shoulder and help me in the pursuit of God's will for my life. He served as the chairman of the ordaining council that examined me for ministry, he performed our wedding. I have his complete library so even though he resides in heaven he is still helping me. James ( Jim) Soles is always my encouragement and adviser. I lived with he and Nila for many months while waiting on Joy to finish school and join me in our next place of service. He was much like a second dad and filled a great part of the void that was left by my dad's early passing. I had the distinct honor and privilege of having part of his graduation service. He lived up to the title given to him by The Miami Herald " The Father of Soles". Then there was Rev.  Woody Sowder " Keep both feet in the boat".  Ever an encourager and he inspired me to be all that God wanted me to be and to keep my eyes fixed on God and NOT on people. Forty years later and the above men are with the Lord God keeps providing a pastor for me. Let's begin with Rev. Travis Gean Sullivan ( AKA. Dr. John Sullivan) when I was in seminary I was introduced to this preacher that could have written volumes in preaching and he lectured at the seminary every year admiration is not the word. He told someone I became like "gum on his shoe". He has and is teaching me so much.  When Joy and I married, I introduced her to John and Nancy, Nancy's first words with a hesitation "I will pray for you"! she became Joy's friend confidant and mentor. I would a miss if I did not include Rev. Steve Brown, I met Steve in one of the low points of my ministry and he became a trusted friend and Pastor. He reminds me often that God is not mad at me. I will conclude this whole long thing with Rev. Wayne Woods, Joy and I moved Back to Moultrie GA. and I was doing an interim and so we needed a church to call home and Wayne provided a place to worship and learn and rest. Today I still call him my pastor. I appreciate each of these men of God and their impact that they had and still have on my life. Happy Pastor appreciation month.