While I pray for many years of continued ministry for the Lord, I’ve reached a stage when I clearly see how God has shaped me over the years. What’s most significant, I believe, is that the greatest influence came not from the marquee pastors or media influencers I follow, but from the many faithful servants of Christ whose names few outside of their family and friends know.
For example:
Sarge and O’Tulsa Placker
The Plackers were youth leaders for the church where I came to Christ. They were in their mid-sixties at the time. Youth directors would come and go, but their presence was constant. Ask anyone who passed through that youth group and they will tell you how the Plackers’ Christ-like comportment, grace and warmth toward us, and their personal investment in our lives (often experienced through playing softball), cast life-defining impressions.
When I turned away from the Lord’s church after High School, they continued praying for me. I can still see the look on their faces when, after my repentance, I stopped by their home unannounced to share I had answered God’s call to ministry. They said, “It’s about time. We always knew God was calling you.”
Dr. Donald Potts
Dr. Potts was the chairman of religion at East Texas Baptist University; but, more than that, he was my teacher. My academic advisor, with ETBU such a small school then he was also my professor for more than half of my religion classes. Dr. Potts was highly educated and informed, with practical experience he would gladly share with us “preacher boys.” And we all knew after every exam that “grace abounds.” But his real influence came beyond the classroom.
It was through his overall character that he made the greatest impression on me. That time coincided with a period of conflict in the denomination. I never doubted Dr. Potts doctrinal soundness, but the fact that he didn’t really engage Baptist politics drew occasional questions from students hoping to “pin him down.” But the grace with which he answered and the gentle shepherding he demonstrated through these conversations shaped my understanding of pastoral leadership.
His care for me continued even after I graduated, as seven years later, though we had only kept in touch through my occasional campus visits, he recommended me to a church. He had been interim pastor of this congregation for two years. One day they asked, “Dr. Potts, are there any of your former students who you can recommend?” He pulled an old resume of mine from when I was his student, looked up my seminary and ministry experience since then, manually updated my resume with said information, and presented it to the church. That gesture launched a most fruitful season of ministry, one which allowed me some fellowship with him in his latter days.
Byron Banta
Byron was pastor in his hometown of Marshall, Texas, during my college years, after having served as an Army chaplain, church planter, and pastor in Arizona. He came home, as I understand the story, due to his mother’s failing health. While I was never a member of his church, after I was called to my first church as pastor, he became a mentor. What started as a one-semester internship lasted well past college and seminary.
Before my graduation, Byron was called back to Arizona, where he resuscitated a failed church plant. As we stayed in touch, his faithful leadership inspired me. When we moved to New Mexico, I reached out to him. Retired by that time, he was serving as interim Executive Director for Arizona Baptists. This brought us often to the same meetings, where his wisdom and encouragement were welcome blessings.
Ray Batson
Ray was Karen’s dad, my father-in-law. His ministry spanned nearly 50 years, usually in some combination of worship, youth, education, or senior adult ministry. Aside from loving me as his own son, he modeled for me much about what it means to serve Christ’s church. Until his death, his wise counsel was never more than a phone call away. My brevity about Ray is not because I lack further things to write about his influence on me, but because there is so much I could say that it would require a book dedicated to the subject, and lots of Kleenex.
Doug Lee
Doug was the director of missions for our association of churches in Nebraska. Quickly he became a steadfast friend and encourager. He supported me and Karen through one of the greatest challenges of our lives. But what I appreciate most is his willingness to challenge me. Because we Texans think we know better, we don’t always make the best impressions elsewhere. Doug helped me to learn how to connect with the people of Nebraska. He taught me the value of church planting. And he modeled how to give oneself to the Lord and His church. When he realized my call to associational missions, he recommended me for the training which would open that door.
Stan Albright
Stan may be more well known than others on this list, at least by my ministry colleagues. When we met, he was the State Director of Missions in New Mexico. It was through him that I became a candidate for the work we would do there. For much of that time he was my boss. But Stan wasn’t the boss who would elevate himself on the backs of his team. He elevated his team so they could do all that the Lord called them to do. His success was our fruitfulness. He encouraged my training that eventually allowed a level of national influence in crucial ministry areas. And I learned more about servant leadership from him than anyone, more so through his coaching than by formal instruction.
Sammy Little
Sam is retiring now after spending almost 40 years as pastor of only one church. His trajectory is incredible: seminary… one youth ministry position in Houston… then one pastorate for a lifetime. He was chair of the search committee that brought me to my current position. As such, he walked closely with me as I started and has remains a close friend and supporter.
Men like Sammy are never invited to preach at big conferences. Due to its rural location, his church will never be confused as a “mega church.” Still, Sammy serves them with contentment through faithful gospel proclamation, wise counsel, and sound servant leadership. The fruit is evident in a well-rounded, multi-generational church that represents Christ in an “in between” place.
Concluding Thought
I could name more, and perhaps one day I will. But as I wrap this up, let me encourage you to look back on your life and service for Christ. Who are your unsung heroes? Who are those persons, not particularly famous, that God has used to shape you for His purpose? Thank God for them and perhaps bless them with a note of appreciation. People don’t often see how God shapes others through them.
Then consider those persons God has brought through your life, and how He may be using you in a similar way. Pray for them. And remember, disciple making doesn’t just happen through formal experiences, but often through unsung heroes like you.