Читать книгу As The Father Has Sent Me - Rod Culbertson - Страница 4

With lifelong gratitude and indebtedness, and having been blessed beyond measure to be taught by and know the man (and his wife, Mittie), I dedicate this book to the greatest professor that I have ever heard teach—Mr. James “Buck” Hatch.

“Buck” Hatch was a man broken by life, humble, self-deprecating, and constitutionally insecure. Yet he was a holy and useful vessel in the hands of God, who had graciously redeemed him. His brokenness enhanced his ministry of teaching, preaching, and counseling. His security was found in Christ! At times, he seemed nervous to teach, as well as embarrassed at the thought that, in his unworthiness, he would have anything worthwhile to tell his students. Yet, God’s strength was perfected in “Buck” Hatch’s weakness, and we listened as if the next moment of life depended upon every word he spoke. The man was intense about Christ! He taught me about the prophets (whom he loved), family life and marriage, and through his legendary course, “Progress of Redemption,” he shaped my life and ministry forever. “Buck” Hatch also became my personal counselor during the throes of challenging pastoral ministry, pastoral work that was often attended with much personal introspection and questioning.

Truly, I can still hear him declaring the poignant chapel message he delivered at Columbia International University (then Columbia Bible College) from 1 Corinthians 3:9 during my senior year of seminary. He reiterated to those of us preparing to serve God in full-time ministry, “You are God’s cultivated field!” I knew that “Buck” Hatch believed it, and ever since I have believed it—I am God’s work! And so is his church. I must humbly add that this book is mostly “Buck” Hatch’s work, written with hopes that his ministry will continue to bear fruit in God’s kingdom and be a blessing to his church.