My first encounter with missions was at Washington Avenue Baptist listening to Dr. Dan Truax missionary to Africa. He spoke at our missions confrence when I was about 12 years old. That morning the Lord called me to preach. I went forward to declare the call of the Lord and nobody took me seriously, at church or at home.
A little later under a new pastor the church desided to no longer support independent missionaries putting all their resources into the Cooperative Program of their convention. Dropping Brother Truax was a big blow to me. At that young age I knew the leading of the Holy Spirit and started attending Tabernacle Baptist Church in Greenville, SC, an independent Baptist church a few blocks from our home. Over the next several years many great preachers and missionaries attended and preached to our great church. Dr. Harold B. Sightler was committed to Christ in obedience to missions and evangelism in a passionate way. He gave vision to me and our church that we were to carry out the Lord's New Testament Commisions.
The Lord led me to New York with my work and we attended Perth Bible Chruch in Perth, New York. At that time it was a sound fundamental missionary hearted congregation. I pray that they are the same today as we have not had contact with them in many years. Working with the youth there under Pastor Chuck Schiede I received my call again to preach. I resigned my work and enrolled at Tabernacle Baptist College in Greenville, SC.
After Graduation the Lord opened a staff position with Dr. Sightler. I produced "The Bright Spot Hour" an international radio broadcast. Being on staff as assistant to the Pastor gave me information that has been useful to me all my ministry. What a great gift from the Lord Jesus Christ to have such an experience. Pastor Sightler opened the opportunity to teach in the college for several years. What a great blessing!
In 1980 Philadelphia Baptist Church, Opelika Alabama called me as pastor. There the Lord opened the printing ministry to me. We published several mission letters for missionaries around the world. Brother Bill Brown taught me how to make plates for the press and run the little 1250 Multilith. It was on this press that we printed the Gospel of Luke in the Toureg language of the Sahara Desert of Niger with Brother David Edens. Later our church raised the money to help Brother Edens by a landrover. We went to England and bought the Landrover vehicle and drove it to Africa on a 6 week trip. What an experence.
In 1988 I received a call to Morning Star Baptist Church in Shelby, NC. Here I pastored for seventeen years and four months. During these years the Lord allowed me to return to Tabernacle Baptist College to teach for several years. I also was given the privilege to teach at Ambassador Baptist College with Dr. Ron Comfort.
With printing and education in my background the Lord allow me to start a printing ministry under Morning Star Baptist Church. We were able to put in print materials that was being left behind. Education material was a goal in this ministry as well. Developing curriculum for the mission field became a priority after a trip to the Island of Granada.
In the year 2000 I had a light heart attack leading to surgury for three by passes. Being a diabetic was the cause of this health problem. My stress tollerence became very low and in the spring of 2005 it was necessary to place three stents in my heart for three new blockages. This led to a necessary slow down in pastoring. This was very hard for me. The church needed more that I was able to give causing me to resign in July 2005. Printing and supplying curriculum for those who needed and wanted it was my plan.
Saturday September 17 as I was studying in Isaiah 55:1-13 as it read "11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." The Lord said, "I'm sending you." It was as clear a call as when I was called to preach. After Prayer on Tuesday I made an appointment to see Dr. James Ellis to get advise and talk of my desires to serve missions. Dr. Ellis told me of his need for an Field Director and the Lord spoke to me, "Give it your all." At that point I joined Fundamental Baptist Home Missions.
As a missionary I desire to help pastor and missionaries start Bible Institutes around the world. We can provide the matereials of study and help raise funds to get these schools going.
Every man called and trained on the mission field represent the possiblility of a new church being started. Those trained will strengthen the local church they serve.
Pray for my wife and I as we travel to raise support for this ministry. God has given me energy that I have not had before.
What a Saviour! Oh, What a Saviour is mine!
Email: lesley1@bellsouth.net