My Mentor, My Pastor, My Friend

It was a thrill for me today to see Dr. Neil Wiseman at the RCA Dome. I just happened to pass by the row where he was seated, and he invited me to sit for awhile. We enjoyed chatting and observing the business of the General Assembly together. Besides my father, who was the only pastor I knew growing up, Dr. Wiseman has been the most influential person in my formation as a pastor. In my 20s, I had wandered away from God, and needed salvation. On Mother's Day in 1984, Vicky and I attended the Pompano Beach (FL) Church of the Nazarene and we were gloriously saved under the minstry of Dr. Wiseman. Shortly after, on Father's Day, we surrendered our lives entirely to the will of God and were entirely sanctified. Again, Dr. Wiseman was the preacher. God began to speak to me concerning His call to full-time ministry, and in July of 1985 I accepted God's call to preach the Gospel! Dr. Wiseman had recently taken a position on the administrative staff at Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs. As you can guess, I didn't have a choice about where to attend college!!!

All throughout my ministerial career, Dr. Wiseman has served as a mentor and a friend. The news of my illness has hit him hard. I know that he is bombarding the throne of Heaven on my behalf daily. Today as we were saying goodbye, he said to me: "You know I am just a phone call away, and I will be here for you when everyone else has forgotten about you". Dr. Neil Wiseman is a true friend. I am a better person, a better pastor, and a better Christian because I have known him, and I have been blessed by God because of our relationship. How thoughtful of God to allow me some one-on-one time with my "pastor" today! God is so good! He knows just what we need, just when we need it! To God be the Glory! Thanks for praying. Thanks for caring. I love you!