Posts Tagged ‘Dr. Gayle Woods’
Matt 10:16-23 (22)
As I considered this topic my mind traveled many miles from Kansas City. In an instant I was in an cozy cottage in Cuba, AL on the campus of the Southern Annual Camp. There Rev. and Mrs. Troy Moore resided. For years he was a faithful warrior of the cross. He brought hope and happiness to many. The humorous stories from his experiences still bring laughter to those who remember how he told them with such meaning.
Creases stretching out from the corner of his eyes revealed that he was optimistic and full of faith. I remember when he and his wife visited the Mid-South Camp meeting that I chaired in Tennessee. You could hear him in his room in the afternoon while others were taking naps. It was not a snoring sound that drew your attention to his room but the pacing of feet moving around behind the closed door and his deep resonant voice quoting scripture after scripture. He was a man of faith and a man of the Word.
Even when Bro. Moore was diagnosed to have cancer it did not change his outlook on life. Did he complain? Did it altered his desire and efforts to serve the Lord? No . . . even through sickness and pain, difficulty and uncertainty Bro. Moore left an example for others of the faith.
Endure faithfully to the end.
Dr. Gayle Woods
2 Tim 2:20-26 (24)
Dr. C. E. Cowen was a big man. Not only was he of large frame physically but he was also large in spiritual and intellectual impact. He was an influential man and moved freely among the holiness peoples of different movements. He was respected and loved. Something that should not be overlooked, however, is that he was faithful in service. After pastoring for a time Dr. Cowen became the president of Kansas City College and Bible School where he served effectively for 25 years. His life had a powerful impact upon many ministerial students who went out to influence their world. Even after Dr. Cowen left Kansas City College and Bible School he did not pause in service. He started another school while pastoring and continued to be used of God until the Lord called him home. Faithful in service. Who invented the notion that people called of God ever retire except for health or extenuating circumstances. Dr. Cowen understood what Paul meant when he said, “I press toward the mark. . . ” (Ph 3:14) He did not stop until he could say with Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Ti 4:7) The work is great and it is incomplete. Today we need more pace setters like Dr. Cowen who will remind us that we are saved to serve not to sit.
Dr. Gayle Woods
