The Influence of Mentors

Two men were instrumental in my joining the Southwestern Baptist Seminary faculty in 1985, and in my teaching there for twenty-six years. This past September, we buried Dr. Roy Fish. This Wednesday, we will bury Dr. Justice Anderson. Both were my professors during seminary studies, then they were my colleagues on the faculty, and always, they were friends and mentors. Quite honestly, I was blessed less by class content than I was by their role modeling. I was reminded recently of that very fact when I encountered a former Seminary student of mine. He reminded me that he had taken a class from me a number of years ago and assured me that I had meant much to his ministry since that class. When I asked which class, he could not remember. This serves as a reminder to those of us who attempt to teach, whether it be informal, academic settings or informal, casual settings. We teach more by who we are than by what we say. Today I am grateful for the influence of two men who taught me so much – both inside and outside the classroom. Both were perfect models of Paul’s mentoring instructions to Timothy: “The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). May the influence continue.

Join me this week in praying for the following global concerns:
• Pray for Russell and Melinda and their Russian-speaking church (21st Century Church) in Prague.
• Pray for Matthew and Heather and the new Ekklesia Church on Vancouver Island, Canada.
• Pray for his family following the Homegoing of Dr. Justice Anderson, missionary, Missions professor, colleague, mentor, friend. He impacted the world through his ministry and that of his students.
• Pray for those who serve in Orthodox countries where Christmas is observed on January 7 as they continue to share the real meaning with unbelievers.
• Pray for a group of Southwestern Baptist Seminary students serving this week in Madagascar.