I know that we all have influencers and mentors in our life. There are those who influence as close relationships and those who influence from afar by the way that they lead or live their lives before us. I began to think today specifically about what living Church of God ministers have impacted my life significantly. I thought of several. Let me ask you the same. What living Church of God minister or ministers have personally impacted your life from close or afar?My top 4 would be:Pastor Hootie MaplesPastor Kirk WaltersBishop Joe Mirkovich
J.W. HillWayne BlackshearCarroll SmithJames OakleyOthoe StegalJerrel Tomlin
Unquestionably Bishop Donald P. Godbey was the greatest COG pastor I ever sat under and eventually worked alongside of________________“Hell will be filled with people that didn’t cuss, didn’t drink, and may even have been baptized. Why? Because none of those things makes someone a Christian.”
That is a fantastic list!Mine would include:Steve Bohannon, Bob Bohannon and FM SmallNew Jersey – Steve Allen and Mark LeonhardtGeorgia – Thomas Powell, Mark Davenport, Damien Wright, Jeannie MayoInternational – Rob Bailey, Mark Swank, Mark Williams, Tim HillTexas –
Thanks Brandon, these are all men I’ve had the extreme good fortune to call my pastor, with the exception of Jerrel Tomlin who I considered my youth-camp pastor, for many years.
RJ McCulloughLF BaldwinPaul KeeterHB TurlingtonAll along time ago________________
Dr Paul Walker
My Uncle, Eddie Munn has been a great inspiration to me. Even tho we were Independent he would come and preach for us and the HOLY GHOST would shake the house and people were saved and filled with the Holy Ghost & Fire. At 81 years old he had more fire than most of the preacher I knew. Another one is Dr. Peggy Scarborough which has been a Mother to me in the Lord and helped me in so many ways and encouraged me to do the impossible. These two ministers have made a mark on my life and I love them both very much. Also Dr Franklin Hunt has ministered many Revivals for us and they were powerful and we have been blessed to minister in his church as well. Let me say this too. Rev David Shrabble in Gwen Mich was the pastor there when I came back to God from an awful backslidden state and he helped me through restoration and push me into the Ministry. I got some great friends in the COG________________
I have never met anyone who believes what they preach more than Floyd Lawhon…(and that is no reflection on T.L. Lowery in any fashion). Nor have I met anyone who pursues being a catalyst for the experienced presence of God more than Floyd Lawhon. His preaching ministry has been a powerful blessing to me!
Some of the COG pastor’s who have been a blessing to me. Some are not pastoring currently but they have a been a blessing and I wanted to make sure they were noted: Jack Reynolds (retired)Tony WeaverJohn MorganTom SterbensChuck SmithFred Garmon, not pastoring currentlyWayne CarterMichael J SmithKeith Whitt , not pastoring currentlyLarry TimmermanFloyd LawhonJim Stephens
Paul Clawson and T.L.Lowery
I have been fortunate to know a lot of great pastors. Two that had the greatest impact on me are Paul Clawson and T.L.Lowery. Paul Clawson was my pastor in his younger years. He was a wonderful, dedicated man who was willing to work very hard to see things move ahead. He made a lot of sacrifices. Although not as well know as some he made a great impact on a lot of people including me.T.L.Lowery always had big plans. He inspired me to think big and have confidence God would bless things. What a great life he lived.
Bro. Wayne CArter of Eustis Florida was my pastor for a couple years and remains a good friend. He is a great listener and confidant.I have also been blessed to know Carl Hart. I met him in Missouri in 1960. His zeal then was apparent. I respect his dedication. After serving as state overseer and other admin positions, In his retirement he pastors a small church, he at times preaches to a very small crowd of less than 25, but preaches like it is camp meeting. These people love him and his wife. We attend there when we are passing thru.A man I admire is Bro Danny Peterson. I have watched him in tough positions and admire his ability to stay positive and be a blessing to his people. In my youth I would have named at least 30 NC pastors and evangelists that touched and blessed me, but most have passed over. The most memorable would have been Ray Collins, QJ Cox, NC Jones, Bill Sheeks and SA lankford.I would be amiss if I didn’t mention the ones here that I know are preachers and have touched my life just for a short time: Larry Wiley, Aaron and RR. The many of you that I seem to put in the category of ministers (don’t get mad if you ain’t) Have touched, blessed and encouraged me over the past few years. I cannot list you all, but I mean YOU!I also want to thank Mrsippi for this post. He reminded me of wonderful men I met in Mississippi. Bill Waters, Fred Brannen and the most humble, God fearing Charlie Hugh Matthews who is on the other side shouting.I was born into the COG in Jan 1939 To the best pastor family(IMHO) in the COG, BF and Grace Darnell________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/