In 1967, when I was 14 years old I was drawn to a Southern Baptist tent revival hosted by one Rev. Walter St. Claire in Kingsport, Tennessee.
I hitchhiked to the revival meetings each night and listened to him bring down fire and brimstone among anyone who was listening. I would return home and search the Bible for what I had heard and found that everything he preached was taught in the Scriptures.
On the fourth of the five nights Rev. St. Claire was in town I returned home, again studying what I had heard, and realized that I was lost, hell-bound, and sin-bent. That night I realized that God was "in charge" and that nothing I could ever do would merit His favor. It was in the later part of the night, sometime near midnight, that I prayed that it would be the will of God to bestow His saving grace upon me, claiming the promise on the atoning work of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and that He would use me according to His own purposes.
What a journey it has been for me in my walk of faith since that time so many years ago with daily Scripture study, prayer, fellowship with others, and regular assembly with others to worship God.
Rev. Walter St. Claire became a good mentor to me over the years. The man had not even graduated from elementary school, but in all my years I have not met one who knew his Bible like he did. I was with him when he went to meet the Lord at age 87, and his last words, while winking at the Roman Catholic collar I wore as young novitiate at the time, were taken from Paul: I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith. See that you do the same, brother."
I miss him every day.
To God be the glory!
AMR
