That’s when Ken’s father spotted Jimmy, just a poor kid from the projects. Ken’s father began reaching out to Jimmy, even inviting him home for dinner with the family. Then one Sunday during the altar call, Ken’s father slipped an arm around Jimmy and said, “Son, today is your day.” Jimmy was saved and baptized in the Holy Spirit that morning with Ken’s father standing at his side.
Many years later, Ken was serving as the minister of music at a church in Alabama. A guest speaker was scheduled to speak at the church one particular Sunday — a Dr. James Brown who was an Assemblies of God evangelist and president of Southeastern College (now Southeastern University) in Lakeland, Florida. Dr. James Brown, who as a boy went by the name…you guessed it — Jimmy!
At this point Paul Harvey would say, “And now you know the rest of the story!” But wait, there’s more.
As Dr. James Brown stood in the pulpit that Sunday morning he told the congregation about the goodness of God. Pointing to Ken, the minister of music, he said it was Ken’s father who loved a poor bus kid from the projects enough to lead him to Jesus. Dr. Brown then pointed to the pastor of the church who was saved as a teenager in one of his evangelistic crusades.
Dr. Brown then connected the dots. He said, “Had it not been for the life and influence of Ken’s father, your minister of music, pastor, and guest speaker would not be here today.”
Never underestimate the power of godly influence. And never underestimate the value of one life. River of Life is in the process of buying a bus to start bringing children, young people, even families to church. Don’t overlook them. Remember Ken’s father who cared enough to love Jimmy. Who knows, there might be a future Dr. James Brown among them.
Pastor Todd Weston