From left, Captain Eric Crooks, Captain Julius Creary, The Mayor of Portadown, Ireland, Captain Arthur Johnson on the steps of Wilson Carlysle College, London, August 1960. Q: SEEING THAT THE ANGLICAN CHURCH HAS BEEN SO INSTRUMENTAL IN YOUR LIFE AND MINISTRY, HOW COME YOU ARE NOT WITH THE ANGLICAN CHURCH TODAY?
"That's a long story but I will say that much of me remains Anglican. I was a Church Army Captain from 1959 to 1964. Immediately after, I went over to the less structured Christian Brethren Assemblies. Then in 1975 I became a member of the Associated Gospel Assemblies, and thus far I have been with this group for 28 years. Yet I still have strong sentiments for the Anglican Church, and continue to Minister among Anglicans, as opportunity opens up".
Q: DO YOU BELIEVE IN A LITERAL DEVIL?
"Yes, and I must tell you that I have seen the Devil himself, and several of his demons. When you are engaged in spiritual warfare on the battlefront, fighting in the trenches, the true Evangelist must expect such encounters. Therefore, if you are going to be successful you must immerse yourself in prayer, and too, you must fast, for some demons will not budge unless you pray and fast. Once I found it necessary to go on a fast for 40 days".
Q: DO YOU BELIEVE IN A LITERAL HELL?
The idea of 'no hell' is attractive. I, too, would like to think that there is no hell, and that there will be no eternal suffering. But a different opinion will not change the reality. If I did not believe that awful eternal punishment awaits every heart resistant to God, then I doubt that I would be a Gospel preacher. Against the reality of hell shines forth the love of God".
Q: WHAT YOU YOU LIKE TO SEE
IN A MODERN EVANGALIST?
"What I would really like to see in a modern Evangelist is well represented in Billy Graham - simple preaching and living, direct Gospel appeals in his preaching, and a lifetime of well respected moral integrity. That is hard to beat".
Q: IS THERE ANY OTHER
PREACHER TODAY YOU ADMIRE?
"Nationally, I like to hear the preaching of Jamaican Baptist Minister, Rev Dr. Burchell Taylor. He speaks without a lot of the dramatics of others, and yet opens up the text for its original meaning, with relevance to our daily living. And he does so in a marvellous way. He is tremendous, by any measure, anywhere in the world.
"Internationally, I admire much the Anglican, Rev. John Stott, England's greatest evangelical Bible teacher, and one of the greatest Keswick Convention speakers. He has not only the integrity necessary for preaching greatness, but the ability to explain God's word insightfully and captivatingly. While I was in England I attended his church regularly, for it was near to Carlisle College, where I was trained as an Evangelist".
Q: WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
"I am motivated by what I know about God. He is awesome, majestic, so utterly unlike us, for he is holy. I have to fear him, for his wrath is terrible. Yet, he is just and fair, and loving. He is so good to us, even me. I just have to love Him. My knowledge of him generates an urgency to proclaim His message of Salvation to lost humanity. It is such a tragedy for any person to go to a place of torment, separated from God's presence forever, when God has done so much to prevent that happening".
Q: "AT THIS TIME THERE IS A GREAT
SHORTAGE OF CLERGY AND PASTORS, HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED
BECOMING A PASTOR OR A PRIEST?"
"Yes, and I must say that there is a great shortage of Evangelists, for as Jesus said, the Harvest is great, but the reapers are few. However, to be direct in my reply to your question about consideration of the priesthood or pastorate, I have been approached on both counts, more
than once, by at least four different denominations".
Q: HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED
SERIOUSLY SUCH AN OFFER?
"No, for my calling is very distinctive - I am an Evangelist - and so I see myself called to go into the field and bring the lost into the church where the pastor and the priest will care for them. Other Evangelists have made that step to being pastor and priest, but in my case, I have always had a clear sense of my calling, and very strong conviction concerning what God wants me to do"
Q: HOW HAS YOUR WIFE FITTED
INTO YOUR LIFE AND MINISTRY?
"My wife has been a true help meet, as the Scriptures say. In 1976 I married Annette (Walker), of Bethel Baptist Church. We have no biological children of our own, but many otherwise. Annette has been a marvellous help in every way. I am so glad I married a spiritual woman. She prays and fasts along with me, and because of her knowledge of the Word of God, we are able to discuss messages and in general share wonderful Christian truths".
"I must tell you too of the great assistance she gives me in typing out my messages in large print, convenient for pulpit reading. Of course, she is my stern and gently critic and I treasure her constant encouragement and insightful, practical observations, concerning my spiritual life, physical health and social lifestyle".
Q: HOW IS YOUR HEALTH? IN VARIOUS TRAVELS AND WITH CONSTANT FASTING, HOW HAVE YOU FARED?
"On the whole I would say I have fared well. I have suffered from bouts of low blood sugar and so hydration has been a problem. I have also had to deal with hernia. But I am back on track and so at this time I must give God thanks for his abundant goodness, considering that in December I will be 66 years old".
Q: REFLECTING ON THOSE MORE THAN SIXTY YEARS, WHAT IN PARTICULAR HAS GOD TAUGHT YOU?
"To be more patient in waiting upon Him; to be more trustful of His wisdom, recognising that in this world, and in my life, He is always working His purposes out. We simply need to keep in touch with Him to know exactly where we fit in, on a daily basis, even moment by moment".
