Rich Atchley
By Rick Atchley
(From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I”ve Ever Received.”)
When I was a student at Abilene (Texas) Christian University, one of my favorite professors was Dr. Neil Lightfoot. He loved the Bible, and he taught us to love it too. His one charge to all his students was simple, “Preach the Word!” Anything else in his eyes was a betrayal of our calling.
For years after this, whenever I returned to the campus and crossed his path, I knew what Dr. Lightfoot would say. He never asked, “How large is your church?” or “How many baptisms last year?” or “What”s your contribution like?” He always asked the same thing! Every single time! “Are you still preaching the Word?”
Dr. Lightfoot is with the Lord now. I trust until I see him again I will keep doing what he taught me to do. It”s still the best counsel I”ve ever been given, and what I tell every young preacher I get to encourage.
Rick Atchley serves as minister with The Hills Church, North Richland Hills, Texas.
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