I began my college career by attending The Citadel before transferred to Columbia International University (then called Columbia Bible College). In the summer of 1950, my brother Burt and I became student pastors in Savannah, Georgia. During our time there the Lord blessed our efforts and the church more than doubled in size.
Upon graduation, I married my college sweetheart Elaine Bradley and we moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where I was the associate pastor and youth pastor at Glendale Community Church. During this time God called us to overseas missions. I was reluctant at first, but with the help of the Holy Spirit I was able to tell the Lord, “I want to go on record with you, that with all the honesty of my soul, I am not only willing, but also ready to go anywhere in the world to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
After waiting for 18 months, our family arrived in Ethiopia on July 2, 1954. For the next 30 years I served both as evangelist and trainer. It was an honor to be used by God in hundreds of people’s lives. Under the communist regime we were placed under house arrest for preaching God’s word. Many faithful believers fervently prayed for our release and those precious prayers were answered by our faithful God.
My wife and I had served with SIM (Serving In Mission) for 49 years when the Lord called Elaine home after a battle with cancer in 1999.
In 2006, I married Betty Stone as I continued on in the ministry. A beloved church in Ethiopia called Word of Life decided they wanted to build a Bible School to continue to teach the word of God to Ethiopians. In February 2013 my family and I had the privilege to attend the dedication ceremony along with 20,000 Ethiopian brothers and sisters in Christ.
My wife and I are officially retired, but we continue serving. I am now a regional director with SIM. Don’t underestimate God’s ability to use you if you are willing to follow His call in obedience.