Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Evangelist and Pastor in Partnership: Alan Harris

 Sometimes we as Pastors forget that the Lord has called Evangelists.
 
What I have learned as a Pastor is that I need someone to come to our church for special occasions and present the Word of God in a manner different from the way I do.

                                        It's called a  Partnership.


 When  I was in Altoona, Kansas, Alan Harris would come every year to our church.  It seemed that someone would be saved each year, and that person would continue to come and be baptized and join the church and become a faithful Christian. Even today after 20 years those who were saved in our church are still serving the Lord.

And more than this, those who were Christians were given a new joy about their salvation.

Now I will be honest.  I am not an evangelist.  I am not what you would call a soul-winning preacher. I am primarily a teacher of the Word and exhorter to serve the Lord.  I gave the people the Word of God, and then Alan would come in for a week of revival to stir the people up, and get them  to put the Word that was in their mind into action.

 Alan and Angie in those early years would have small skits that would illustrate a biblical principle.  Each night they would have a skit. (Which I might add was very good, and the young people loved it) Then they would sing, Alan is a Gospel Southern style singer and this singing comes from the heart.
 
Alan is as good a preacher as he is a singer.


 Andrew and Angie and Alan Harris  Singing He's Still Working On Me Rivers of Joy Baptist Church June 24, 2012

Then in later years after they had three boys, Alex, Anthony and Andrew have been a part of the ministry.


What Charity and I have observed over 30 years of their ministry is their total dedication  to the work of the ministry and the desire to help churches and pastors accomplish the purpose of the church.

Charity has been amazed how well Angie has been an evangelist's wife. They  raised three boys while traveling the United States in a home on wheels, home-schooling all three while nightly serving in local churches.

It is true they are not perfect, they have problems just like any family, but they have shown faithfulness to the Lord.  The delight of our hearts is to see the fruit of their ministry abundantly flowing through the lives of their three sons as they continue to serve Jesus in their own places of ministry!  To God be the glory!


Alan and Angie Harris not only ministered in the church, but when they are not in church. They have ministered to young people, as well as adults, and especially to this pastor and wife from Rivers of Joy and First Baptist Church in Altoona, Kansas.  Their love for our children continues to minister through a special relationship, even today.  They have laughed with us, cried with us and supported us in some of the hardest trials of our life.  However, the motivation they have given us to keep on keeping on in the service of King Jesus is the gift they give to each pastor and pastor's wife in every church that is blessed to have them.


Alan and Angie, we love you dearly and are so proud to see what God has done!

 




Featured Post

Did Jesus Die For All Men

Did Christ Die for all Men or Only His elect?   The following is a written response to a brother with the following question about l...