Torch, Spring 1991

- -------------------- D on Dennis arrived in Chattanooga to attend Tennessee Temple College shortly after I began my college education there. He had served in the Navy and was not a recent high school graduate like most of us in the dormitory. Don was different. During his years in the Navy, he had been heavily influenced by the Navigators. Evange– lism, discipleship, and the Word of God were his priorities. In a quiet way, he began to influence many of us to grow in our walk with our Lord. He challenged us to memorize Scripture, and many of us carried packs of memory verse cards. He taught us to put "ladders" on our Oxford wide– margin Bibles so we could find the books of the Old Testament and New Testament more quickly. Following Don's example, I faithfully carried my Rapidograph pen with black ink for highlighting specific words in the texts, marking my Bible, and jotting notes in those wide margins. He certainly marked me for life. Graduation Day came. I went up to Don and asked his career plans. He replied, 'Tm going back into the Reaching The World From The Pew by Dr. Paul Dixon President, Cedarville College "I often tell our college students, we will never reach a world for Christ from the pulpit. We can only accomplish that awesome task from the pew." Navy." I was stunned and asked why. His response was memorable: "Can you think of a better place to lead people to Jesus Christ?" I was headed for "full-time evangel– ism," and over the next 14 years my ministry was devoted to proclaiming the Gospel to those who needed the Savior. Don Dennis was no less a servant of God nor a faithful witness as he used his naval profession to carry out the Great Commission. For too long the misunderstanding has prevailed in the church that the evangelism is to be done in the pulpit by those who minister from the platform and that lay people are second-class citizens. The message has been, "Too bad you weren't called to preach so you could serve the Lord full-time ." This is totally contrary to New Testament Christianity. In the early church, the Lord brought about the explosion of new converts and new churches through the ministry of lay people. I often tell our college students, "We will never reach a world for Christ from the pulpit. We can only accomplish that awesome task from the pew." When every Christian, regardless of age or vocation, understands that we are under marching orders from heaven to proclaim the glorious Gospel, we will fulfill this heavenly mandate. John R. Stott said, "God sent His Son, then God sent His Spirit, now God sends His saints." All of us! The evangel-the Gospel- the Good News of the death, burial, and resurrection of God 's Son Jesus Christ is entrusted to our care. Evangelism is the work He has committed to us in proclaiming that Good News. This issue of the TORCH is a testimonial of graduates and friends of our Cedarville College family who devote their energies to this marvelous task of doing God ' s business– evangelism. They challenge me. At Cedarville our mission is not pr.imarily to prepare nurses , doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, business people, homemakers, etc., to make a living. It is, rather, to live their lives like Don Dennis lived his-taking advantage of divine opportunities to bring people to the Savior.