I had the incredible privilege of studying under one of the greatest preachers and greatest men of God in the 20th century. Dr Stephen F. Olford was the most holy...the most godly and the most powerful Christian I have ever known. I met him at a Keswick Convention when I was seventeen years old. I sat spellbound when he preached. I had never heard anyone preach like he preached. For a while I was enamored by his power in the pulpit. But very soon my attention was drawn to something much more important than his pulpit abilities. I discovered the Force behind the man. I learned that his ministry was nothing more and nothing less than the overflow of the Holy Spirit in his life. Stephen Olford was holy because the Holy Spirit had complete control of his life. He was a useful instrument in the Lord's service because he had fully surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He walked in purity because he walked with Christ.
Dr. Olford preached all over the world. Even in his 21 years of pastoral ministry he traveled to country after country preaching in remote mission stations and Christian Life Conventions. For many years he was one of Japan Keswick's favorite preachers. During our years of friendship it was always a special treat to be in the "Report Meeting" when Dr. and Mrs. Olford would return from their mission. Dr. Olford gave such colorful and enthusiastic reports that all who heard it were inspired and encouraged. I always walked away from those meetings dreaming about and wishing that one day I could minister in some of those gospel hungry places Dr. Olford spoke of. About 10 years years before his death in 2004 he began to send me out on some of those missions. So much of my overseas work is connected to my relationship with Dr. Olford. In 2007, three years after Dr. Olford's death, I received an invitation to preach in the great Keswick Conventions in Osaka, Kyoto, Hakone and Tokyo in 2008. I have been back three more times since 2008 and have developed some of the most significant ministry and Christian relationships of my life. Time, space and lack of words limit my fullest expression at this time. Earlier Blog posts will reveal more, as well as future writings.
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| PRINCE OF PREACHERS Dr. Stephen F. Olford |
The Deerfoot Baptist Church, where I serve as pastor, felt that it was time to do more than just send the pastor on a preaching mission...as important as that is. Last year the congregation sent a sizeable love gift to finanically assist a new church start in the tsunami stricken area of Sendai. I personally delivered the funds when I was there to preach in the Keswick Convention.
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| Manami on Right |
Now our relationship with Japan is expanding. My good friend, Ryo Iwahashi, a pastor and president of Japan International Food for the Hungry (a humanitarian mission to countries battling hunger and starvation). This organization has missionaries in several different countries. Ryo frequently takes teams to their mission posts and oversees this great work.
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| Manami second from left |
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| Bro. Roger and Ryo Iwahashi aka: BRR and BR |
A few months ago Ryo asked me if I would consider hosting one of his young missionary trainees for a special time of study of English lanuage, Western culture and the ministry of Deerfoot Baptist Church. I talked with our missions committee (team) and made the necessary inquires about providing a place and assitance for such a guest. The Lord made the way and now we have Manami Okubo of Osaka, Japan set to arrive in Trussville on June 12. Manami is 27 years old. She is a daughter of a pastor. She was saved when she was eight and soon felt the call to missions...especially to the hungry and starving people of the world. Following a time of training with us she will go to Kenya, East Africa to serve the Lord as a missionary.
Manami said when she was a child in Sunday School her class would donate money to Africa once a month. At that time she was especially attracted to hunger awareness. She said, "I wanted to save the Africa's children. I always thought of going to Africa."
From age 20 to 27 Manami was a nursery school teacher. She also ministers to Jr. High School and High School students. She loves to play the piano.
Manami will work under my direct supervision while she is with us. It is my desire for her to experience ministry in the daily life of the church and that she will have some personal and special time with our teens and college students. I also want her to be involved in our children's ministry. I hope to hear her play the piano.
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| Manami |
Two months will pass very quickly, but our investment into Manami's life will go with her for the rest of her life. Let us give Manami a good...warm...loving Deerfoot Welcome. (I have always been treated so well in Japan...I look forward to returning a little bit of their hospitality.)
Roger Willmore
2 comments:
We are SO very excited about her coming, and hopeful that in the midst of all the planned activities, she'll also have the opportunity to meaningfully connect with her own age Bible class. We pray we'll be a significant blessing to her, as we know she will be to us - and that the Lord will mightily use this time of fellowship in His own way. What a wonderful opportunity the Lord has ordained. What an awesome thought to know it has been planned and ordained from before the foundation of the world. We are excited; we are grateful! Can't wait! :o)
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