Many wonderful things can be said about June Evans, a wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She is also one of the most knowledgeable and capable Bible teachers I have ever known. Her ministry has touched my life for many years and continues to do so today. She is highly gifted in her ability to take everyday situations to focus on and reveal God’s involvement in our lives. She combines humor, truth and insight to impart the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and power. She is diligent in her study of the Word. I was never in any way disappointed when I attended meetings where she was the speaker nor when she was a speaker in several conferences that I sponsored. I knew she would bring forth a Word in season.

I was introduced to June and her husband, Pastor Gene Evans in the late seventies when they ministered in conferences for Full Gospel Business Mens Fellowship International. What wonderful days they were. We would not have missed a regional or national convention. It was in many of these gatherings that June was a speaker for the ladies luncheons and other services. Gene led the Regionals in the S.E. for a period of time. An excellent teacher himself he is also a great blessing in my life. (more…)

My life has been graced with many incredibly interesting and loving people. Individuals who have made a difference, not with words alone, but by extraordinary example. One such person is Patricia Cross.

Patricia Cross caught my attention a few years ago with an announcement made in our Sunday school class. She invited the class to attend a dance recital performed by a small group of children to whom she had become teacher and mentor. The children live in an impoverished area of our city. As time went by more announcements were forthcoming and I was getting to know Patricia and her mission quite well. The more I learned about her and Rejoice Ministries and her endeavor to make a difference in the lives of this small group of children the more impressed I became. She truly is an awesome lady. One who merits my deepest respect. (more…)

Several years ago I was invited to speak at a conference at the beautiful American Baptist Headquarters facility In Nashville Tennessee. The platform hostess was none other than the lovely and gracious Eleanor Graves. I was very impressed and touched by her graciousness as she brought each speaker on when it was their time to speak. She handled all other details for which she was responsible with the same grace.

I had never met this lovely lady before. I was aware that she was first lady of Temple Baptist Church pastored by her husband, Dr. Michael Lee Graves though I had never seen even a picture of her. Somehow I knew that we were destined to meet again at some point in time. Ten years went by before our next meeting. As I was looking over the list of potential speakers for the Mother’s and Father’s of the Faith Mentoring Clinic which was soon coming up I saw her name and knew she was the one. She was happy to come and bless us at that event. (more…)

Several years before I had the privilege of meeting Dr Gruits. I had read her book “Understanding God” written in a question and answer format which I found to be interesting and informative. Later I would meet her in person and for me it was a Divine connection with a lady who has since that time greatly influenced my life and ministry.

Dr. Gruits, who is most often referred to as “Sister Pat” was born and raised in Michigan. Her mother, Rev. Myrtle D. Beall founded and pastored Bethessda Missionary Temple in Detroit in the forties. The church grew from a store front mission to more than 5,000 members in just a few years. Rev. Beall, affectionaely known as “Ma Beall” was also a pioneer of the Latter Rain Revival. She continued pastoring at Bethesda until shortly before her death in 1979. (more…)