Yesterday our church staff headed home from the BMAA Texas Symposium, and on the way we stopped into two historical churches. The first was First Baptist Church of Dallas which was the church of former pastor W.A. Criswell, and the second was Prestonwood whose pastor is Jack Graham. These two churches were totally different and at the same time each inspired me in its own way. FBC was enriched with detailed architectural design and tradition. Beautiful stained glass and chandeliers covered the walls and ceiling. Red velvet upholstery and carpet adorned the sanctuary. This facility was a work of art. It was an honor to stand on the stage where a man so great as W.A. Criswell proclaimed the Gospel. As I griped the pulpit from which he proclaimed I was overcome with emotion. It reminded me of how great God is.
Prestonwood on the other hand was a church of creativity filled with contemporary design. I don’t even know how to begin to describe it. It was nothing like what you or I would consider a church to be. It was like its own community. FBC was like a museum; however Prestonwood was like an amusement park. (Not in a bad way) Some mega churches only have entertainment in mind, where as you could tell that Prestonwood was much more than that. Scripture references covered the walls, and Bibles covered the pews. Once I was in the sanctuary I ascended to the top step of the stage, and I felt so unworthy to approach any further. I did find the strength to place myself behind the pulpit, and I was immediately humbled. Could God ever use me in such a way? Only time will tell. I looked out amongst the thousands of empty seats with stage light of every color beaming down on me. God truly was doing something special in this place.
After touring these facilities we had the privilege to listen to Evangelist David Ring preach at Prestonwood. David was born dead for the first eighteen minutes of his life, but by the grace of God David lived; however he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. You or I might consider that to be a disability, but David considers it to be a tool to proclaiming the Gospel. David always focuses on an individual’s need to conquer the personal challenges and adversities of life. David was told after he surrendered to preach that he would never be able to do anything for the Kingdom of God. On the contrary David has spoken in over 6,000 churches and to over 100,000 people a year since 1973. He was told not to look for a wife because he would never find anyone to love him. He has been happily married for over 25 years to a very beautiful woman. He was told that he would never have children. He has four healthy lively children. He was told he would not live past a certain age, and he has shocked medical science because he is healthy and prosperous at the age of 55. David’s testimony is pure inspiration.
“Never let anything hold you back” – David Ring
“Stop having these self pity parties, because no one will show up, but you.” – David Ring
“When life throws you a curve ball hit a grand slam” – David Ring
