They Finished Well!
Dear Friends,
Because of my involvement through the years as a gospel singer, it has been my joy to meet and work with many great men.
One of these men was Dr. Lee Robertson. He went to be with the Lord just a few days ago. Read this article about his life - it should challenge you in your Christian walk. I had the joy of singing in at least three meetings were he was the preacher. May his tribe increase:
Dr. Lee Roberson, longtime pastor of the Highland Park Baptist Church and founder and president of Tennessee Temple Schools, died Sunday morning at the age of 97.
Dr. Roberson was world-renowned in religious circles.
His longtime associate, Dr. J.R. Faulkner, wrote this account of his life:
He was born in a two-room log cabin on Nov. 24, 1909, and spent his first two years on a farm near English, Ind., a small town in the southern part of the state. In 1911, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Roberson, took him to a farm near Louisville, Ky., where his father farmed, worked on streetcars, and built homes to make a living. At the age of 14, he was led to the Lord by his faithful Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Daisy Hawes, and joined the Cedar Creek Baptist Church outside of Louisville.
After spending two years at the Louisville Male High School, where he received a diploma in public accounting when he was 14 years old, Dr. Roberson then attended the Fern Creek High School and was graduated after four years. While a student, he played football with the high school team.
Brother Roberson entered Old Bethel College in Russellville, Ky., in 1926, and finished the first year. There he worked at various jobs from washing dishes to scrubbing floors to pay his way. From Old Bethel College, he went to the University of Louisville to complete his college work with a major in history. He also completed his work for a degree at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. At the age of 19, he was called to a church in Jeffersontown, Ky., which he did not accept.
In his early years, Dr. Roberson was well known as a singer. Having studied at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and with the well-known teacher, John Samples, of Chicago, his services as a vocalist were in great demand. He served as a soloist on the staff of radio station WHAS of Louisville, Ky., and WSM out of Nashville. Doors were opening in the field of secular music. Dr. Roberson could have signed a contract with a certain man in the city of Nashville that, no doubt, would have led him to the top in music. However, he felt that this was not the thing the Lord wanted for him; so he refused to sign the contract.
The first church that Brother Roberson served as pastor was in Germantown, Tn., while he was going to college. In 1932, he was called to be pastor of the Temple Baptist Church in Green Brier, Tn. It was there that he discovered the truth of the second coming of Christ. After three years with the Green Brier Church, where the Lord wonderfully blessed, Dr. Roberson entered full-time evangelistic work in 1935. He served as evangelist of the Birmingham Baptist Association; and within two years, he conducted some fifty revivals in the Birmingham area.
It was while he was in Birmingham that he met Miss Caroline Allen, who, on Oct. 9, 1937, became Mrs. Lee Roberson.
On the first Sunday in November 1937, Dr. Roberson became pastor of the First Baptist Church in Fairfield, Ala.
In 1939, Brother Roberson was asked to be the state evangelist for Alabama. He felt this was not the Lord's will for him at the time, so the offer was not accepted.
On May 2, 1941, Lee Anne, the Roberson's oldest child, was born.
After five years with the Fairfield church, Dr. Roberson was called to the Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, in November of 1942. Brother Roberson, our pastor, is a man of God at home as well as at church. He has set an example of faithfulness and devotion to his family and to his convictions before his church and to the entire world. At home, he has sought to teach his children in the fear and admonition of the Lord around a daily family altar, which has reflected itself in the lives of the children.
Dr. Roberson's devotion to duty and to his convictions has laid upon him a demanding schedule that has caused him, throughout his life, to get up early and to burn the midnight oil in prayer and study of the Word of God and the writings of others that he might maintain his burden to reach as many souls for Christ as he can, by every possible means. New sermons are constantly pouring from his soul and new books from his pen.
Whether he be speaking from the pulpit of the Highland Park Baptist Church, the chapel platform of Tennessee Temple Schools, to his Men's Bible Class, or at one of many other special services, his messages are always fresh, fervent, and filled with the power of God. In speaking of him, someone has said, "He is truly the Spurgeon of our times."
Dr. Roberson's daily schedule began with Bible study and prayer at 6:30 in the morning, followed by breakfast and devotions with his family, a broadcast beginning at 8:30 a.m., and a chapel service at Tennessee Temple Schools at 10:00. His morning hours were also filled with private conferences with church people and students of Tennessee Temple Schools. His daily visitation program took him into the numerous hospitals of the city as well as homes of the church members.
Pastor Roberson's favorite Scripture...
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28
I never had an intimite friendship with Dr. Falwell, but I did sing at Thomas Road Baptist Church several years ago. On that particular Sunday, he was away on a trip out of the country. I remember that He spoke by phone to the entire congregation that Sunday morning. What a great man of God. In reading tributes from his staff I came across this word by Dr. Don Fanning who works in missions in the ministry there in Lynchburg.
The Jerry Falwell I knew
I was sitting in a restaurant in Lynchburg with Dr Falwell and key leaders of the ministry discussing a strategy for a multi-million dollar fundraising project and future building changes for the church and university. We had finished the heavy conversation and were enjoying “batting around” baseball scores and player statistics when a man walked up to the table.
Dressed in wrinkled kakis, a shirt half tucked in and half out, a several day-old beard, a cigarette in one hand and a beer can in the other, the man breaks into our conversation, “Excuse me, Are you Jerry Falwell?” Everyone braced for what might happen next.
Dr. Falwell gave him his full attention. With a slight slur the man continued, “I’ve always been a fan of yours, but I’d like to ask a favor of you.” Jerry responded, “Sure, I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”
“Well, you see I’ve got a friend who needs some help. He was in the war (Viet Nam) and got pretty messed up, lost his family, got on drugs, and now he is diagnosed with cancer. He doesn’t have much more time to live. He lives in a run-down trailer park and doesn’t care about living anymore. Doc, would you be able to go visit him to encourage him a little?”
“Sure I would,” taking out a paper from his pocket he asked, “What is his name and address?” The shocked visitor did not really expect such an immediate positive response, but said, “Well, it is a small trailer that is pretty unkept and dirty.” Jerry said, “That doesn’t make any difference, I’ll go see him.” The man gave Jerry the name of the Trailer Park and the address of the trailer. The man couldn’t believe Jerry would be willing to go visit his friend.
A week later I heard one of his assistants relate that indeed, Dr. Falwell did go visit this war veteran, who lived as miserably described or worse. He spent thirty minutes in his trailer and led the man to Christ. Someone told the ministry that two months later the man died of cancer.
Oddly, nothing more was ever said of this encounter. As I have talked to others of his close staff, there are hundreds of such stories that only a few know about. Dr. Falwell was not the bragging kind. He was just as comfortable sharing the gospel with a poor alcoholic as speaking on a national television program to millions, or speaking with clarity God’s truths to the President of the United States … often in the same day.
This is the Jerry Falwell that I knew, loved and had the honor of serving in the ministry at Thomas Road Baptist Church and Liberty University.
What will be remembered for? There is no greater legacy than to love people for the sake of the gospel. I sure want to finish strong.
Price Harris
Because of my involvement through the years as a gospel singer, it has been my joy to meet and work with many great men.
One of these men was Dr. Lee Robertson. He went to be with the Lord just a few days ago. Read this article about his life - it should challenge you in your Christian walk. I had the joy of singing in at least three meetings were he was the preacher. May his tribe increase:
Dr. Lee Roberson, longtime pastor of the Highland Park Baptist Church and founder and president of Tennessee Temple Schools, died Sunday morning at the age of 97.
Dr. Roberson was world-renowned in religious circles.
His longtime associate, Dr. J.R. Faulkner, wrote this account of his life:
He was born in a two-room log cabin on Nov. 24, 1909, and spent his first two years on a farm near English, Ind., a small town in the southern part of the state. In 1911, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Roberson, took him to a farm near Louisville, Ky., where his father farmed, worked on streetcars, and built homes to make a living. At the age of 14, he was led to the Lord by his faithful Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Daisy Hawes, and joined the Cedar Creek Baptist Church outside of Louisville.
After spending two years at the Louisville Male High School, where he received a diploma in public accounting when he was 14 years old, Dr. Roberson then attended the Fern Creek High School and was graduated after four years. While a student, he played football with the high school team.
Brother Roberson entered Old Bethel College in Russellville, Ky., in 1926, and finished the first year. There he worked at various jobs from washing dishes to scrubbing floors to pay his way. From Old Bethel College, he went to the University of Louisville to complete his college work with a major in history. He also completed his work for a degree at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. At the age of 19, he was called to a church in Jeffersontown, Ky., which he did not accept.
In his early years, Dr. Roberson was well known as a singer. Having studied at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and with the well-known teacher, John Samples, of Chicago, his services as a vocalist were in great demand. He served as a soloist on the staff of radio station WHAS of Louisville, Ky., and WSM out of Nashville. Doors were opening in the field of secular music. Dr. Roberson could have signed a contract with a certain man in the city of Nashville that, no doubt, would have led him to the top in music. However, he felt that this was not the thing the Lord wanted for him; so he refused to sign the contract.
The first church that Brother Roberson served as pastor was in Germantown, Tn., while he was going to college. In 1932, he was called to be pastor of the Temple Baptist Church in Green Brier, Tn. It was there that he discovered the truth of the second coming of Christ. After three years with the Green Brier Church, where the Lord wonderfully blessed, Dr. Roberson entered full-time evangelistic work in 1935. He served as evangelist of the Birmingham Baptist Association; and within two years, he conducted some fifty revivals in the Birmingham area.
It was while he was in Birmingham that he met Miss Caroline Allen, who, on Oct. 9, 1937, became Mrs. Lee Roberson.
On the first Sunday in November 1937, Dr. Roberson became pastor of the First Baptist Church in Fairfield, Ala.
In 1939, Brother Roberson was asked to be the state evangelist for Alabama. He felt this was not the Lord's will for him at the time, so the offer was not accepted.
On May 2, 1941, Lee Anne, the Roberson's oldest child, was born.
After five years with the Fairfield church, Dr. Roberson was called to the Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, in November of 1942. Brother Roberson, our pastor, is a man of God at home as well as at church. He has set an example of faithfulness and devotion to his family and to his convictions before his church and to the entire world. At home, he has sought to teach his children in the fear and admonition of the Lord around a daily family altar, which has reflected itself in the lives of the children.
Dr. Roberson's devotion to duty and to his convictions has laid upon him a demanding schedule that has caused him, throughout his life, to get up early and to burn the midnight oil in prayer and study of the Word of God and the writings of others that he might maintain his burden to reach as many souls for Christ as he can, by every possible means. New sermons are constantly pouring from his soul and new books from his pen.
Whether he be speaking from the pulpit of the Highland Park Baptist Church, the chapel platform of Tennessee Temple Schools, to his Men's Bible Class, or at one of many other special services, his messages are always fresh, fervent, and filled with the power of God. In speaking of him, someone has said, "He is truly the Spurgeon of our times."
Dr. Roberson's daily schedule began with Bible study and prayer at 6:30 in the morning, followed by breakfast and devotions with his family, a broadcast beginning at 8:30 a.m., and a chapel service at Tennessee Temple Schools at 10:00. His morning hours were also filled with private conferences with church people and students of Tennessee Temple Schools. His daily visitation program took him into the numerous hospitals of the city as well as homes of the church members.
Pastor Roberson's favorite Scripture...
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28
I never had an intimite friendship with Dr. Falwell, but I did sing at Thomas Road Baptist Church several years ago. On that particular Sunday, he was away on a trip out of the country. I remember that He spoke by phone to the entire congregation that Sunday morning. What a great man of God. In reading tributes from his staff I came across this word by Dr. Don Fanning who works in missions in the ministry there in Lynchburg.
The Jerry Falwell I knew
I was sitting in a restaurant in Lynchburg with Dr Falwell and key leaders of the ministry discussing a strategy for a multi-million dollar fundraising project and future building changes for the church and university. We had finished the heavy conversation and were enjoying “batting around” baseball scores and player statistics when a man walked up to the table.
Dressed in wrinkled kakis, a shirt half tucked in and half out, a several day-old beard, a cigarette in one hand and a beer can in the other, the man breaks into our conversation, “Excuse me, Are you Jerry Falwell?” Everyone braced for what might happen next.
Dr. Falwell gave him his full attention. With a slight slur the man continued, “I’ve always been a fan of yours, but I’d like to ask a favor of you.” Jerry responded, “Sure, I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”
“Well, you see I’ve got a friend who needs some help. He was in the war (Viet Nam) and got pretty messed up, lost his family, got on drugs, and now he is diagnosed with cancer. He doesn’t have much more time to live. He lives in a run-down trailer park and doesn’t care about living anymore. Doc, would you be able to go visit him to encourage him a little?”
“Sure I would,” taking out a paper from his pocket he asked, “What is his name and address?” The shocked visitor did not really expect such an immediate positive response, but said, “Well, it is a small trailer that is pretty unkept and dirty.” Jerry said, “That doesn’t make any difference, I’ll go see him.” The man gave Jerry the name of the Trailer Park and the address of the trailer. The man couldn’t believe Jerry would be willing to go visit his friend.
A week later I heard one of his assistants relate that indeed, Dr. Falwell did go visit this war veteran, who lived as miserably described or worse. He spent thirty minutes in his trailer and led the man to Christ. Someone told the ministry that two months later the man died of cancer.
Oddly, nothing more was ever said of this encounter. As I have talked to others of his close staff, there are hundreds of such stories that only a few know about. Dr. Falwell was not the bragging kind. He was just as comfortable sharing the gospel with a poor alcoholic as speaking on a national television program to millions, or speaking with clarity God’s truths to the President of the United States … often in the same day.
This is the Jerry Falwell that I knew, loved and had the honor of serving in the ministry at Thomas Road Baptist Church and Liberty University.
What will be remembered for? There is no greater legacy than to love people for the sake of the gospel. I sure want to finish strong.
Price Harris
posted by PHarris | 1:31 PM
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