A good relationship with a wise mentor is like having personal access to a goldmine. It’s an opportunity anyone would be foolish to not take advantage of! Proverbs 1:5 reminds us, “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” (See also Proverbs 11:14; 12:15; 15:22; 19:20; 20:5; and 27:9.)

But just as a goldmine must be discovered, wise mentors must usually be sought out. They don’t hold a sign reading, “I am a wise mentor!” (And if they do, they likely aren’t!)

So, what do you look for in a mentor? How do you discern between truly golden wisdom and fool’s gold? The Lord has blessed me with wise and godly mentors over the years. The following characteristics are descriptive of each of their lives and are what you can look for in a mentor: (more…)

It’s great to be back home and with our Lancaster Baptist Church family! It was a blessing this morning to attend our soulwinning faithfulness rally, and I can hardly wait for tomorrow’s services. I look forward to preaching and to being with the greatest people in the world.

Terrie and I enjoyed our time together these past weeks to reflect on thirty years of marriage. I’m so thankful for the godly wife the Lord has given me. Her love for the Lord and for me has a greater impact on the ministry here than anyone—including Terrie—will ever know.

It was great as well to spend time with Larry and Ashley and Ashley’s parents. We’re thankful for the healing the Lord has given Larry these past several months. Seeing him feeling well and able to enjoy this trip was an answer to many prayers by friends all around the world. Please continue to keep him in your prayers as he has his monthly checkups.

On our trip, we followed the missionary journeys of Paul through part of the Mediterranean region. We learned so much and were greatly challenged to realize what God accomplished through Paul’s faithful preaching and witness in pagan cultures. As our own culture continues to morally deteriorate, I’m encouraged to remember what God can do by His Spirit through yielded soulwinners. I truly believe that we live in a day of unsurpassed ministry opportunities, and I believe the greatest days of ministry are yet ahead!

Yesterday marked what could be a day of celebration for thousands of churches around our country—Dr. David Gibbs’ birthday. Our staff was privileged to celebrate this special event during our annual staff training last week.

Dr. Gibbs was born August 22, 1944, in Alabama. He grew up on a farm in rural Ohio with godly Christian parents. As a young boy, Dr. Gibbs trusted Christ as his Saviour. After graduating from high school, he pursued a career in law. (more…)

Have you ever considered the basic convictions that motivate a soulwinner to be faithful? Convictions are the spark plugs that keep the engine of faith going forward. And biblical convictions regarding the eternal souls of men and women move us forward in reaching the lost for Christ. (more…)

This past Sunday I was privileged to preach the 50^th anniversary services of the Grace Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina. What an honor it was for me to stand in the pulpit of the great men of God who started and have pastored this church—Moody Roberts, Marshall Godfrey, Floyd Paschall, Dr. Clayton Shumpert, and, my good friend and mentor, Dr. Bob Kelley. Brother Bill Egerdahal currently serves this church as pastor. (more…)