AGWM News

Johnny Cash and Other Heroes

Johnny Cash was one of my heroes growing up. I loved listening to “Ring of Fire,” “Orange Blossom Special” and other great songs of his, both secular and sacred. Along with the album “Folsom Prison Blues” I have a record of his rendition of “Suppertime,” my mother’s favorite song, and some of his gospel albums.

My son, Matt, and I were privileged to briefly meet Johnny Cash in 1994 after a concert of his in Branson. What an honor to shake his hand, tell him how much I enjoyed his music, and have him pose with us for a picture. I have that picture on my office wall.

I also meet other heroes on a regular basis: missionaries.

In response to God’s call on their lives they left the comforts of home and have given to the Lord their time, efforts, talents, dreams and goals.

Some travel the world preaching in revivals. Some teach in Bible schools, training national workers to do the work of the ministry. Some plant churches among people groups that have never heard Jesus loves them. Others do compassion ministries to the billions of people who suffer daily from lack of food, water and shelter.

I have in front of me a letter from a missionary couple serving in Swaziland where nearly 40 percent of the adults have HIV. A young couple from my home church went to Africa as missionaries with their four small children. A Bible college classmate of mine for years has traveled with the Gypsies in Europe.

Our missionaries spend their working years ministering to people around the world, trying to go everywhere to share Christ with everyone. They are heroes to the people to whom they bring the joy of salvation. They are heroes to me and I’m sure are good and faithful servants in the Lord’s eyes.

Maybe one of these days I can get my picture taken with some of them.