OTHERS WHO HAD INPUT INTO MY SPIRITUAL & PASTORAL JOURNEY

There are many people on planet earth that have heard the gospel or the scriptures explained from only one person.  It may be the single lady missionary that visits their village.  It may be the one program in their language airing from a Christian shortwave radio station.  There are undoubtedly millions of Christians whose biblical knowledge and learning has come from very few individuals or limited sources.

I don't know why I have been so abundantly blessed or privileged when it comes to having biblical input from so many.  From my early years to  the present, I have personally heard hundreds of Christian leaders, pastors, evangelists, missionaries, Bible college professors, musicians and Christian business people who have helped, encouraged, challenged and convicted me in my spiritual journey.  It was always a thrill when I had the opportunity to hear some of the days outstanding Christians.  I've heard many musicians, choirs, orchestras, soloists, instrumentalists, etc.  In recent years I have heard numerous Southern Gospel musicians.  I'm only listing a few of the more well known in their day.

The following names are some of those whom I have personally heard.  I have indicated the city where I heard them speak.  Whenever I mention Wallaceburg, ON, it was always Blue Water Bible and Missionary Conference.  There are obviously others whose names I don't recall, but I figure that at 87 I am doing well to remember this many outstanding Christian leaders.  This list dates back to when I was about 10 or 12 years of age and up to and including the present.

These people may be totally unknown to you.  They are are basically the names of people who were well known in Christian circles during my life time and whom I heard speak or minister musically. 

Roy Aldrich - President Detroit Bible Institute, Detroit, MI.  Heard him speak in Wallaceburg, ON.

David Allen - Author and Pastor Calvary Baptist Church, Hazel Park, MI.  Heard him speak in Wallaceburg, ON, Hazel Park, MI and Three Hills, AB.

Neil T. Anderson - Founder of Freedom in Christ ministry, best-selling author, well-known conference speaker.  He has written over 100 books and booklets.  One of his best known books is "The Bondage Breaker."  Heard him in Abbotsford, BC.
Hudson Armerding - President of Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL.  Had him for a professor when working on my MA at Caronport, SK.

Win Arn -President of Church Growth, Inc. and LIFE International, Monrovia, CA.  Heard him speak in Abbotsford, BC.

Hyman Appleman - Evangelist & author, who made his home in Kansas City, MO.  Heard him speak in Detroit, MI.

Rudy Atwood - Pianist with The Old Fashioned Revival Hour, Long Beach, CA.  Heard him play the piano in Toronto, ON.

Nathan Bailey - President of North America Christian & Missionary Alliance, Nyack, NY.  Heard him speak in Castro Valley, CA, Minneapolis, MN, Raleigh, NC.

Cliff Barrows - Choir leader and host of the services with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.  Heard him speak in Chatham, ON and Calgary, AB.  Heard him lead Billy Graham Crusade meetings and conduct the mass choir in Detroit, MI, Minneapolis, MN, Chicago, IL and Calgary, AB. 
J. Allen Blair - Pastor, author and conference speaker.  Heard him speak in Wallaceburg, ON.

Henry Brandt - Author & Christian Psychologist, Flint, MI.  He was a staff member at Missionary Internship in Detroit, MI and I sat under his weekly teaching for about seven months.  I also had a one on one counseling session with him.  Very helpful session, an hour that I will never ever forget. 

Virgil Brock - Music composer.  I heard him speak and sing one of his songs, Beyond The Sunset, in Abbotsford, BC. 

Duncan Campbell - A Scottish evangelist who is best known for being a leader in the Lewis Awakening or Hebrides Revival, a mid-20th century revival in the Scottish Hebrides.  Heard him speak in Vernon, BC.
J. D. Carlson - C&MA Pastor, Calgary & Edmonton in Alberta and Toronto, ON.  He had a couple of radio ministries.  Founded a Children's Ministry and was a traveling evangelist.  My daughter, Sharilyn, prayed to receive Christ during his week of evangelism at Lethbridge Alliance Church in September 1975.  Heard him speak in Chatham, ON and Lethbridge, AB.

 

Rev.  J. D. Carlson

Adolph Coors IV - I've always been encouraged when I listened to life changing testimonies.  It was very uplifting to hear Adolph Coors IV share his story as to how he chose faith in God over the fortune which would have been his from the Coors Brewing Company.  Coors said he had the American dream, but it was not fulfilling.  He turned his back on all of it when he received Christ.  Heard him speak in Abbotsford, BC. 

Theodore Epp - Founder and speaker on "The Back To The Bible Hour" Lincoln, NE.  Heard him speak in Three Hills, AB.

Jerry Falwell - Author, founding pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church, Lynchburg, VA, founder of Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA.  Heard him speak in Lynchburg, VA and Seattle, WA.

Charles L. Feinberg - Pastor and professor of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary.  In 1952 he joined the faculty of what would later become Talbot Seminary and became its first and longest serving dean.  Heard him speak in Kamloops, BC.
Leighton Ford - Associate evangelist for three decades with Billy Graham and later founded Leighton Ford Ministries.  I heard his first sermon before anyone else ever heard him preach.  He was invited to speak in Pontiac, MI and one day shared his sermon with me on the way home from high school.  Heard him preach in Chatham, ON, Wainwright, AB and Raleigh, NC. 

R. A. Forrest - Founder and first president of Toccoa Falls College, Toccoa Falls, Georgia.  I remember hearing him, when I was in my teen years.  He invited us all down for southern fried chicken.  Obviously,  he had said that everywhere he went and so often, that a group of Christian men in the Detroit area surprised him one time by arriving in Toccoa Falls for their chicken.  Heard him in Wallaceburg, ON.

Charles E. Fuller - Founder, director and speaker on the Old Fashioned Revival Hour radio broadcast originating in Long Beach, CA.  Heard him preach in Toronto, ON.

Bill & Gloria Gaither - Writers of many southern gospel and popular gospel songs.  Three of their well known songs:  "The Family Of God," "He Touched Me" and "Because He Lives."   I heard them sing in Calgary, AB and Vancouver, BC.

Harold Germaine - Missionary with S.I.M. in Nigeria, West Africa.  Heard him speak in Wallaceburg, ON
Armin Gesswein - Best known as the founder and director of Revival Prayer Fellowship.  He was recruited by Charles E. Fuller to establish a training school which later became Fuller Seminary.  Heard him speak in Windsor, ON and Lethbridge, AB.

Billy Graham - World renown evangelist,  author, speaker on "Hour of Decision" radio program and Billy Graham Crusade television specials.  Heard him speak in Detroit, MI, Chatham, ON, Chicago, IL, Minneapolis, MN, and Calgary, AB. 

Norman Grubb - Missionary in the Belgium Congo, son-in-law of C. T. Stubb, who was a pioneer missionary in Africa in the 1800's and founder of WEC International Mission (Worldwide Evangelization for Christ).  After his father-in-law's death, Grubb returned to London, England and became the director of the mission.  Heard him speak in Chatham, ON

Ben Haden - Pastor First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, TN and speaker on Changed Lives radio ministry.  Heard him speak in Dallas, TX.

Stuart Hamblem - Country singer, composer and radio host, born again at the Billy Graham Los Angeles Crusade, 1949.  Author of several Christian songs, best known song "It Is No Secret What God Can Do."  Heard him sing and speak in Kitchener, ON

Redd Harper - Author, singer, composer and starred as Mr. Texas in Billy Graham's first Christian film, Mr. Texas.  Heard him sing and speak in Chatham, ON.

 Redd Harper, Dan's brother David & Pastor Wm. J. Newell - 1954

Haven Of Rest Quartet - The quartet that sang on the daily Haven Of Rest radio broadcast, Hollywood, CA.  Heard them sing in Chilliwack, BC and White Rock, BC.

Vance Havner - Pastor, author and itinerant preacher and conference speaker.  Heard him speak in Columbia, SC

Howard Hendricks - Longtime professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, TX.  Heard him speak in Dallas, TX

Henry Hildebrand - Pastor and founding principal of Briercrest College & Seminary, Caronport, SK.  Played a couple of games of golf with him in Abbotsford, BC.  Heard him speak in Caronport, SK

David Hocking - Served as a pastor but better known as a radio pastor and conference speaker.  His current ministry is Hope For Today radio ministry.  Heard him in Abbotsford, BC. 
Rex Humbard - Founding pastor of The Cathedral Of Tomorrow, Akron, OH.  Heard him speak in Lethbridge, AB.
Bill Hybels - was the founding pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL.  It is one of the largest churches in the United States.  I read that in 2011 the average attendance was 24,000.  Heard him speak in Abbotsford, BC.

Jack Hyles - Author, educator & pastor of First Baptist Church, Hammond, IN, another of America's large churches.  Present weekly attendance is 17,700. Heard him speak in Lynchburg, VA, Hammond, IN, and Abbotsford, BC.

Leo Janz - founder and the evangelist with Janz Team Ministries, serving in Germany.  He asked me if I would work with the JTM for one year. Served with JTM for that one year.  Had his funeral in 2006 in Abbotsford, BC.  Heard him speak in Three Hills, AB and Vernon, BC.  

Janz Quartet - The featured music at each Janz Team Crusade.  Heard them sing in Wallaceburg, ON, Three Hills, AB, Vernon, BC.

David Jeremiah - Pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church, El Cajon, CA, author and speaker on "Turning Point" radio and television ministry.  Heard him speak in Surrey, BC. 

Patrick Johnstone - Missionary in Africa, author of the well known missions handbook, "Operation World."  Heard him speak in Calgary, AB.

Charlie (Tremendous) Jones - Motivational speaker.  As a Christian, Jones was a friend to the well known and lesser known.  He was a humorous and crazy guy.  I remember him given me a hug and reaching into my back pocket to retrieve my wallet.  One of his one-liner's was: "Maybe you want to write, well, you don’t need permission, just begin writing."  I never heard him say that, but that's what I've done in my retired stage of life.  This blog included.  Heard him speak in Calgary, AB.

James Kennedy -Founding pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Fort Lauderdale, FL and founder of the "Evangelism Explosion" training program re personal evangelism.  Heard him speak in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 
B. R. Lakin - Itinerant preacher, pastor of the Cadle Tabernacle, Indianapolis, IN.  I used to wake up to his voice on radio each weekday morning on radio station WLW.  I heard him preach in Wheatley, ON, Lynchburg, VA and Abbotsford, BC.  We had the privilege of having him in our home, in Abbotsford, for a dinner.

Mark Lee - Professor, author, conference speaker and President of  Simpson University a C&MA school in Redding, CA.  I heard him speak in Abbotsford, BC, Vernon, BC, Nakamun Family Camp near Busby, AB and Calgary, AB.  I invited him to come to Calgary for a youth weekend, the year that our daughter, Sharilyn, graduated from high school.  He shared with me that, as a ghost writer, he wrote much of Billy Graham's book, "Peace With God." 

Robert G. Lee - Long time pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, TN.  Known for his famous sermon "Pay Day Someday" which he preached over 1,200 times.  I was privileged to hear him preach this famous sermon at First Baptist Church, Hammond, IN. 

R. G. Letourneau  - A prolific inventor of earth moving equipment with factories manufacturing the same.  A public speaker, generous philanthropist for Christian causes and founder of Letourneau University.  Heard him speak in Chatham, ON. 

Olive (Fleming) Liefeld - Author, missionary and wife of her first husband, Pete Fleming, one of the five missionaries martyred in Ecuador in 1956.  Heard her speak in Abbotsford, BC.

Erwin Lutzer - Author, conference speaker and Pastor of Moody Memorial Church, Chicago, IL. Heard him speak in Caronport, SK, Dallas, TX and White Rock, BC.

John MacArthur - Founder and president of The Master's University & Seminary, pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, CA, author, conference speaker and featured teacher on "Grace To You" radio ministry.  Heard him speak in Hamilton, ON and Sun Valley, CA.

David Mainse - Founder of 100 Huntley Street television ministry, Burlington, ON.  Heard him speak in Abbotsford, BC.

Tom Malone - Founder and long time pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Pontiac, MI.  He was a radio preacher that my mother used to listen to regularly every week day morning.  Founder of Midwestern Baptist College.  Heard him speak in Pontiac, MI.

L. E. Maxwell - Author and first principal, later president of Prairie Bible Institute, Three Hills, AB.  I also had for a Bible teacher my junior and senior year at Prairie Bible Institute.  Heard him speak in Wallaceburg, ON, Three Hills, AB, Vernon, BC and Calgary, AB.

J. Vernon McGee - Pastor of the Church of The Open Door, Los Angeles, CA, conference speaker and speaker on the "Thru The Bible Radio" program.  One of my Dad's favorite radio preachers. Heard him speak in Los Angeles, CA.

Barry Moore - Evangelist, Barry Moore Ministries, London, ON.  We were fellow students at Columbia International University in Columbia, SC.  Heard him speak in Chatham, ON, Columbia, SC, Vernon, BC, Lethbridge, AB and Three Hills, AB.

Ord Morrow - An Alliance pastor and for many years a regular speaker on The Back To The Bible Broadcast from Lincoln, NE.  I invited him to Calgary to be our guest speaker for the Sunday that we dedicated the new church building for Rockyview Alliance Church.  

William J. Murray - son of Madalyn Murray O'Hair, an atheist activist who came to national attention in 1960 when she filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court of the United States, stating that compulsory prayer and reading of the Bible in public schools was unconstitutional.  Listening to him share his testimony was a thrill, realizing that this was the young boy that was his mother's reason for going to the supreme court.  I think of the verse which speaks about God laughing, Psalm 2:4.  Heard him speak in Abbotsford, BC. 

Ralph W. Neighbour Sr. - Evangelist, pastor, radio minister, author and helped found Mission Aviation Fellowship.  My mother enjoyed listening to his daily Morning Sunshine radio broadcast from Elyria, OH.  I heard him in Chatham, On.  I remember that I was about eleven years old and used to sit up close to the front, by myself.  I was so enthralled by this man.  He was one man that I think of as making his message simple and interesting enough that a young child could understand.  I can still remember a couple of illustrations which he shared and that is at least 75 years ago.  Oh that all preachers would put the cookies on the bottom shelf so that even the youngest could partake. 

Old Fashioned Revival Hour Quartet - which sang each week on the OFRH radio broadcast originating in Long Beach, CA.  Heard them sing in Lynchburg, VA.

Stephen Olford - A pastor, pioneer in Christian television and Bible conference speaker.  He was a role model to some of the days famous pastors like Charles Stanley and Adrian Rogers, evangelist Billy Graham and missionary martyr Jim Elliot.  Heard him speak in Three Hills, AB.
Ohman Brothers Trumpet Trio - Consisted of three brothers Chuck, George and Bill Ohman.  They ministered a lot in Youth For Christ rallies.  Chuck was the music pastor for about 30 years with Pastor David Allen.  He has been the announcer on Jack Van Impe's television broadcast for many years.  Heard the trio in Chatham, ON.

Luis Palau - An international evangelist with Luis Palau Association.  Luis was born in Argentina and lives in Oregon.  He has had a worldwide evangelistic ministry.  Heard him in Abbotsford, BC.
Herb Peeler - President and professor for many decades at Millar Memorial College of the Bible, Pambrun, SK.  Heard him speak in Lac La Biche, AB.

P. W. Philpott - Born and raised in my home area, Chatham-Kent, ON, becoming a well known pastor in his day, Pastor of Moody Memorial Church, Chicago, IL.  Heard him speak in Wallaceburg, ON.

Charles Price - Teacher with Capernwray, conference speaker and for many years the senior pastor of The Peoples Church, Toronto, ON.  Heard him speak in Abbotsford, BC and Calgary, AB.

Alan Redpath - Pastor of Moody Memorial Church, Chicago, IL and a conference speaker.  Heard him speak in Columbia, SC.

John R. Rice - Evangelist, author & founding editor of "The Sword of The Lord,"  Murfreesboro, TN.  Heard him speak in Hammond, IN.

David Ring - He is a Christian evangelist and motivational speaker who has cerebral palsy. Since 1973, Ring has challenged thousands of people with his signature message - "I have cerebral palsy. What's your problem?"  Heard him speak in Red Deer, AB.

Homer Rodeheaver - was an American evangelist, music director, music publisher, composer of gospel songs, and pioneer in the recording of sacred music.  He was the music director for evangelist Billy Sunday.  I heard him sing in Detroit, MI the song "When Jesus Comes."  He wrote the music.  Oswald J. Smith's wrote the lyrics.

Merv Rosell -An author and Bible teacher who focused on speaking to youth and Youth For Christ.  Heard him speak in Pontiac, MI.

George Beverly Shea - Composer and featured soloist with Billy Graham's ministry.  Heard him sing in Detroit, MI, Chicago, IL, Minneapolis, MN and Calgary, AB.

Oswald J. Smith - Author, hymn writer, missionary statesman and founding pastor of The Peoples Church, Toronto, ON.  It was under his ministry in July 1946 that I dedicated my life to the Lord for Christian ministry, willing to go wherever He should lead.  Heard him speak in Wallaceburg, ON. 

Joe Springer - Soloist on Percy Crawford's "Young Peoples Church of The Air."  He later went as a missionary to radio station HCJB Quito, Ecuador.  Heard him sing in Chatham, ON.

Charles Stanley - Pastor of First Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA, author and speaker on the television program "In Touch."  Heard him speak in Red Deer, AB. 

Ira Stanphill - Pastor, evangelist, composer of several well known songs.  Three of his songs are "Room At The Cross," "Mansion Over The Hilltop" and "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow."  Heard him speak and sing in Chatham, ON.  The night that I heard him was soon after he had written the song, "Supper Time."
Lehman Strauss - Bible College professor, pastor and conference speaker.  Heard him speak in Kamloops, BC.

Charles Swindoll - Pastor of Fullerton Evangelical Free Church, Fullerton, CA.  Speaker on "Insight For Living" radio program.  Heard him speak in Fullerton, CA, Dallas, TX and Abbotsford, BC.

Joni Eareckson Tada - Author, radio host and founder of Joni And Friends, Agoura Hills, CA.  Heard her speak in Sun Valley, CA and Abbotsford, BC. 

Charles Templeton - President of Toronto Youth For Christ, pastor of Avenue Road Church, Toronto,who later declared himself to be an agnostic.  His turning away from God was always such a puzzle to so many people.  I heard him preach in Chatham, ON and in Detroit, MI.  The night he preached in Detroit about 700 people responded to the invitation to receive Christ as Savior.

W. Ian Thomas - was an evangelist, Christian evangelical writer, theological teacher and founder of the Torchbearers Bible schools. More commonly referred to as Capernwray.  Capernwray Hall in England is where my grandson, Zachary, was when I began this blog.  See the first blog, April 22, 2017. Heard Ian Thomas in Three Hills, AB and Columbia, SC.

Elmer Thompson - Founder of (West Indies Mission) Worldteam, Homer City, PA.  Heard him speak in Three Hills, AB.

Tommy Titcombe - A pioneer missionary with S.I.M. in Nigeria, West Africa.  Heard him in Wallaceburg, ON. 
Elmer Towns - Co-founder of Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA. He is an author, having written over 170 books.  Speaks on the principles of church growth, church leadership, Christian education, etc.  Heard him speak in Lynchburg, VA.
A. W. Tozer - C&MA pastor, and oft quoted author.  Heard him speak in Charlotte, NC. 

Jack Van Impe - An American evangelist and speaker along with his wife Rexella, who co-hosts the television ministry Jack Van Impe Presents, Troy, MI.  Heard him play accordion duets with his father Oscar in Wallaceburg, ON.  He was a featured accordion soloist, when he was in his teens, at Chatham Youth For Christ.  Heard him speak in Chicago, IL.

Oscar Van Impe - Father of Jack Van Impe.  Oscar and son Jack ministered musically, in the 1940's, with accordion duets as Oscar shared his testimony.  They lived in Detroit, MI and were regular guest musicians at Blue Water Bible & Missionary Conference, Wallaceburg, ON.

Jack Van Impe with his parents 1947

Jim Vaus - Formerly in syndicated crime, born again at Billy Graham's Los Angeles Crusade 1949,  became an evangelist and started summer camps for underprivileged kids.  Heard him speak in Three Hills, AB and Chatham, ON.

Walter L. Wilson - A medical doctor, salesman, businessman, preacher, and soul-winner. He recorded many of his remarkable experiences in a series of books to instruct and encourage others in the great work of spreading the Gospel.  Heard him speak in Bellingham, WA.

Ravi Zacharias - Ravi Zacharias is an Indian-born Canadian-American Christian apologist.  A defender of evangelical Protestantism,  Ravi is the author of numerous Christian books.  I was privileged to have him for one whole week of meetings, Sunday to Friday in Kamloops Alliance Church.  Heard him speak in Kamloops, BC and Abbotsford, BC.

Louis Zamperini - He was an American World War II veteran, a Christian evangelist and an Olympic distance runner, best known for being a Japanese prisoner of war survivor.  He received Christ as his Saviour at the Billy Graham Crusade in Los Angeles, CA in the fall of 1949.  I heard him two years after his conversion at a Youth For Christ rally in Trochu, AB.

I am sure there were a few more well known speakers and musicians that I've not listed in this post.  However, these are the ones that have come to my mind.

I need to say that there were many many other people that influenced me along my spiritual and pastoral journey.  Sunday School teachers,Bible college professors and students, fellow pastors, missionaries and church members. 

I would be negligent if I did not mention those closest to me, my parents and my family.  In my younger years it was Mom & Dad.  I have good memories of one on one talks with Dad as we walked to The Salvation Army.  I recall those meaningful chats with Mom, be it at the breakfast table or when I grabbed a dish towel and dried the dishes she had washed.  Dad served as pastor of Lakeview  Alliance Church, a few miles south of  Chatham, overlooking Lake Erie.  He served there, beginning five years before retiring from Chrysler's and the first ten years into his retirement.  A great example to me.

 Pastor & Mrs. H. D. Goldsmith, Dan's Dad & Mom

I will never forget a letter which my sister Barbara wrote to me re my dating.  Her advice was a turning point in my life, which I'll never regret.  God was preparing Leona for me, who has been my wife for over 59 years.  For the past 59 plus years, Leona has been a source of great help and inspiration.  She has shared seed thoughts, which have resulted in sermons or devotionals.  She has been prompted by the Spirit, maybe also women's intuition, that we should visit certain people.  She has indeed been my helpmate and I should say it, maybe I've already said it, but she has been my unpaid associate pastor and I love her dearly.

This post, if not meaningless to some of you, is for sure one of the longest posts that I've written.  So I'd better stop right now.