I enrolled at Midwestern, a small, conservative Bible college in Iowa, in August 1964. In October of the same year I heard a sermon by a man who was dying of cancer. His name was Dewey Lalk and he preached on "The End of the World." When the invitation was given I responded. I said four simple words: "I want to preach." I did not know how to preach but I knew that I must. I felt what Paul must have felt when he wrote, "...for necessity is laid upon me: yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Cor. 9:16 NKJV).

Those who knew me at the time probably thought, "What's a goof-off like him doing making a decision like that?" But they were not me and did not know what God had laid on my heart. After all, did not Paul also write, "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" (Rom. 11:29 NKJV)? Even though I did not start preaching on a regular basis until May 1967, I look back on that night with real gratitude. It set me on a course that has taken me preaching the gospel throughout the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and into 15 or so nations of the world. I'm so glad God called a foolish boy to become a "fool for Christ" and win souls to him through "the foolishness of preaching." Matthew Henry may have said it best: "Whom God calls he qualifies." Amen to that!

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me into the ministry and setting me apart for the preaching of the gospel. Bless all who are "holding forth the word of life." Through Christ I pray.