Men of God Part 7

As I sat and read over the past 6 Men of God blog posts that I have made, I suddenly realized that I have left out 3 of the most influential Pastors that have been in my life. All 3 of these have went on to be with Jesus now but the impact they had on my life will remain with me forever.

Preacher Edd Spencer - Preacher Spencer was my grandfather on my mother's side. Back in the 50’s and 60’s, my papaw, James Edward Spencer, was one of the most popular preachers in all of Knox County, heck maybe even East, TN. I called him “Paw.” He was a tall, lanky man, filled with the Spirit of God. He preached hell-fire and damnation, but he also preached of God’s love and forgiveness. One thing that made his sermons great was his showy antics. For example, when he preached of the Prodigal Son, he would open the side door of the church and call out as if the long lost son was out there somewhere; he also got down on his hands and knees and ate from an imaginary hog’s troft. To demonstrate Zacchaeus climbing up in a tree to see Jesus, papaw would climb in the window seal of the church or scale a revival tent pole. In 1942, Paw was one of the original founders of Highland Baptist Church where he also pastored 2 different times for a total of 9-years. Then, 12 years later, in 1954, he founded North Acres Baptist Church, where he preached for 19 years, right up until his death. Still to this day when people find out that I am Preacher Spencer's grandson, they start telling me of all the times they listened to him and how they considered him their favorite preacher. I've got one of my papaw's sermons uploaded on the internet and you can listen to him preach a message titled, "Neglect So Great Salvation," just click HERE. 

Preacher Adral Glenn Hall Sr. - My Great Uncle Adral was a little more “citified” than my papaw Spencer was. His sermons were a little more relaxed and he was softer spoken. I don’t recall hearing any “hell-fire and brimstone” messages from him; however, I wasn’t present in as many his services as I was Paw’s. Uncle Adral pastored several churches; the one that I remember the most was Elm Street Baptist church in Knoxville. That is where I accepted Christ as my Savior. It was during Vacation Bible School, back in 1972, I was 6-years old. I remember sitting through the preaching service and it came time for the invitation. Everyone was standing and singing, “Just As I Am.” My heart was pounding out of my chest; I was gripping the pew in front of me so hard that my fingers were hurting. I had been feeling conviction for quite some time but this time was more than I could stand. I heard uncle Adral beckon, “If you are out there and you are lost, don’t put it off any longer…come. If you leave here tonight without being saved, you don’t have the guarantee that you will ever get the opportunity again…come.” All of a sudden I felt the chains just fall from my shoulders. I practically ran up to the front. I was bawling my head off and it was right there on that altar, with my uncle Adral’s arms wrapped around me, that I uttered the sinner’s prayer and accepted Christ as my Savior. Never before had I felt such relief. Uncle Adral passed away on January 10, 1999. Now all I have to remember him by are my memories and a grave marker in Union Cemetery. I visit his gravesite occasionally and wonder if he would be proud of me today, or if I would be a disappointment. I wish that I had spent more time with him during his last days. Unfortunately, I don't have any of Uncle Adral's sermons to share, I sure wish that I did. 

Preacher Jamie Porterfield - Pastor Jamie is the man that I call "my pastor." He was the Pastor at House Mountain Baptist Church where my family and I attended. Jamie was one of the most talented singers you have ever heard and he could have made a living professionally singing. But not only was he a great singer, he was a great preacher and pastor. He always preached with great compassion in his sermons. Jamie took interest in me and would go out of his way to help me in my Spiritual walk. It was he that taught me how to lead congregational music and conduct a choir. He worked with me on how to keep proper time with my hands through all of the different time signatures. He would give me pointers and correct me when I would do something wrong. He always stressed that I needed to lead the songs with my heart and he gave me books that told the stories behind the hymns. He encouraged me to read the books and find out why the authors wrote them. It was during Jamie's pastorship that I received the call to preach. He encouraged me all of the time. He saw potential in me and would give me opportunities to preach. I will never forget the night we got the terrible phone call telling us that Jamie's 19-year old son, Joe, had fallen asleep while driving and had died in a car accident. Jamie and his wife Judy were so distraught. I took it upon myself to try and lead the church during this difficult time. One night we all drove to Jamie's house and stood in the driveway and prayed. He came outside and even in his grief and mourning, he told me how much he appreciated me and thanked me for stepping up. Jamie resigned from House Mountain shortly after that and went on to pastor at a Church in South Knoxville. I only saw Jamie one more time after he left our Church and he helped me tremendously with a struggle I was going through. Just three years later, at only 49-years old, Pastor Jamie passed away from cancer. He has been gone now for 11-years at the time of this writing but I still think of him nearly every day. He had a lasting impact upon my life. I loved him and miss him but I know I'll see my pastor again one of these days. I"ve got one of Pastor Jamie's sermons uploaded on the internet that you can listen to. It is titled, "Be Still and Know that I AM God," you can listen to it HERE. 

If you are interested, you can read the other 6 blog posts I have made of Men of God by clicking HERE.

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I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now

"I started out traveling for the Lord many years ago, I've had a lot of heartaches, had a lot of grief and woe. But, when I would stumble, then I would humble down. And there I would say, I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now." - Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now - Written by Charles Goodman and Jimmie Davis.

Last night at church as I was making announcements and welcoming folks, I made the comment that it felt like it had been forever since our last service. In all reality it had only been 3-days, or if you prefer 72-hours. But, it sure seemed like it had been a lot longer. As I have gotten older I have found that my thoughts, ideas, and desires have completely changed from what they were when I was a younger man that used to complain about going to church.

I can remember as a child being "forced" to attend church, and in my little mind I thought my parents were trying to torture me. In my teens I enjoyed singing and didn't really mind going to church, plus, that was the only place that I could date my girlfriend, so my desire to attend was really selfishly motivated. As a young adult, I felt that church was more of an obligation and I felt guilty if I didn't attend. I enjoyed it some but really only went because I knew I should. I even got out of church for a while when I was in my twenties but I always felt ashamed when not attending.

Eventually, life's troubles and strife found their way into my life. I was not following God's will and I paid dearly because of it. I finally turned to God and church for Spiritual guidance. I began seeing how God's power could work in my life. I will never forget working a dead-end job making minimum wage, barely able to make ends meet and feeling emotionally and spiritually bankrupt. I prayed to my Father in Heaven and made a covenant with Him. I would do whatever He wanted me to do for His Kingdom. Little did I know what He had in store for me...

The Sunday School Teacher: There was a need for a young adult Sunday school teacher at my church. "Who in their right mind would want to do that," I wondered? Unbelievably, I found many fingers pointing toward me. "God, are you sure," I asked? He was sure and I stepped into that role. It was one of the scariest things in my entire life. I'll never forget my knees literally knocking together as I stood that first Sunday in front of a room of 12 people and began teaching. As my confidence grew, so did my desire to understand God's Word and my desire to have a close relationship with Him. I relished in my study time and was amazed at how God revealed things to me from the Bible that I had never understood before. I guess it was like in Acts 9:18 telling about the Apostle Paul's conversion: "And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."

Minister of Music: Suddenly we were faced with the Minister of Music resigning from the church so he could attend college full-time. "Who will we put into that position," I wondered? Again, in my unbelief, fingers were pointing toward me. Have I mentioned that I have always been totally backwards and shy around people? Have I mentioned that I inherited a very deep bass voice? I never once in a million years wanted to lead a choir or a congregation in song. I was completely happy standing on the back pew of the choir and singing the bass part. But, I accepted the position of music minister and learned how to lead. God didn't just stick me out there on my own, he led others to help me. My aunt Barbara was the pianist at the church and she painstakingly lowered each Hymn for me so that I was able to lead without cracking every high note. The pastor of the church, Jamie Porterfield, instructed me on how to conduct with my hands with the proper time signatures and beats. Eventually I became comfortable standing in front of over 100 folks and leading them in worship.

Preaching the Gospel: Just when I became comfortable, God placed another calling in my life... preaching His Word. There was no way, no how, that I wanted to do that! I will fully admit that I questioned God many times about it (something which I've finally learned to stop doing). I guess I was a lot like Moses standing there barefooted in front of the burning bush throwing out excuses as to why I would not be a good choice. But, just like it says in Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD." "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

So, I began preaching. You talk about feeling inadequate! The Lord must've really been hard up for preachers because I am the least of the least. Pastor Porterfield gave me many opportunities to preach and I eventually stopped going into nervous convulsions every time I stood behind the pulpit. Little did I know that God was preparing me to step into Jamie's position to pastor the church after he resigned. The folks at the church asked me to interim while they looked for a pastor. I enjoyed many wonderful services during the nearly 1-year of my term. I still held my position of Sunday school teacher and minister of music as well. The church eventually hired a pastor and I slipped into a depression.

The Desert Experience: If you have studied the Bible much then you know that God's people are not perfect people. Many great leaders have went through testing periods in their lives. Moses wandering in the desert, David falling into sin causing strife throughout his family, Jesus in the desert being tempted of the devil, Peter denying Christ before the crucifixion. All of these are desert experiences. It is during this time that we are tested by the fire as to whether we will be burnt up or come out refined. I went through my own desert experience. I learned some hard, valuable lessons during that time. It was during this time that I sat back and took a long look at my life and my heart. I had two choices; I could throw in the towel or I could throw my heart into Jesus' hands. I thank God that I chose the latter.

God of Second chances: Aren't you so glad that we serve a loving and forgiving God? His Grace is marvelous and his mercy is endless. Eventually I moved on to my current church, Highland Baptist. My family and I just joined as regular members. I really was just looking to be ministered to. I had no intentions of leading the music or teaching Sunday school, or preaching. But, when God places a calling in your life, it is forever, unless circumstances arise that make it impossible to continue. I was asked to teach the pre-teen Sunday school class and then I was asked to be the minister of music. Pastor Hutchison has also given me numerous opportunities to stand behind the pulpit and preach. I've enjoyed the past 3-years we have been members there.

What is in store? Currently I am enrolled at Crown Seminary working on my Masters of Ministry degree. I don't know what else God has in store for me but I fully intend to follow his direction. I am not perfect by any means. I have messed up more times than I have done things right. But, you know, God is not looking for perfect people, he is looking for people that have a desire for Him. If you have a passion and desire to be used by God to spread the Gospel message, He will find you and make a way for you. You just have to be willing to step up and accept. Working for Jesus is a journey, but I guarantee you when it's all said and done with, you wouldn't take nothing for it!

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Remembering Pastor Porterfield

Lately I have had Jamie Porterfield on my mind. He was my pastor at House Mountain Baptist church when I was a member there. He was the first pastor that I ever felt really close to besides my grandpa Rev. Edd Spencer, and my great uncle Rev. Adral Hall. Pastor Porterfield (we just called him Jamie) had such a kind heart and was so open and honest. I was able to talk to him without feeling intimidated or cautious. He taught me a lot in the few years I knew him.

I guess I was first drawn to Jamie because of his outstanding musical talents. He was one of the best singers I had ever heard in my life. There is no question that he could have made a living just from singing. He had such range and beauty in his voice. His rendition of the song Beulah Land was the very best of anyone I have ever heard. You can listen to a short sample of it in the video that is posted below.

Jamie took interest in me and would go out of his way to help me in my Spiritual walk. It was he that taught me how to lead congregational music and conduct a choir. He worked with me on how to keep proper time with my hands through all of the different time signatures. He would give me pointers and correct me when I would do something wrong. He always stressed that I needed to lead the songs with my heart and he gave me books that told the stories behind the hymns. He encouraged me to read the books and find out why the authors wrote them.



It was during Jamie's pastorship that I received the call to preach. He encouraged me all of the time. He saw potential in me and would give me opportunities to preach. I will never forget the night we got the terrible phone call telling us that Jamie's 19-year old son, Joe, had fallen asleep while driving and had died in a car accident. Jamie and Judy were so distraught. I took it upon myself to try and lead the church during this difficult time. One night we all drove to Jamie's house and stood in the driveway and prayed. He came outside and even in his grief and mourning, he told me how much he appreciated me and thanked me for stepping up.

Jamie never was quite the same after Joe passed away. I think it was hard for him to be so far away from his community in South Knoxville. He held on as long as he could and eventually resigned and went to pastor Fellowship Baptist which was just up the road from his home. I was the minister of music of House Mountain and the members put me in as the interim pastor after Jamie left. I held that position for nearly a year while they searched for a permanent replacement.

The last time I saw Jamie alive was in 2001. I had resigned from House Mountain and left the church. I had allowed the devil into my life and had been neglecting my family. It was the lowest point in my entire life and I was on the verge of some kind of breakdown. I was at my ropes end. One evening I was just driving around aimlessly in my truck trying to figure out what to do with myself. Something told me to go and talk to Jamie. I drove to his house and asked him if he had time to talk with me. He said, "lets go sit up here on the hill and talk." We sat on the ground behind his house for a long time and I poured my heart out to him. I told him everything that was going on in my life and he quietly listened without interrupting. I told him things I had never told anybody else. He put his arm around me and told me he understood and he offered me some advice and prayed with me. He didn't know it but he saved my life that day.

Three years later when I heard that Jamie had passed away from cancer, my heart was broken. I had deep regret that I hadn't went back to see him since that day in 2001. I wanted to thank him and tell him that my life was straightened out and my family was whole again and healing. I visited the funeral home on Sunday evening. I talked briefly with his wife, Judy. She told me that Jamie had mentioned me in his last days. The feeling of regret swept over me.

It is hard to believe that Jamie has been gone for 5-years now. I still think of him a lot. I've got some of his old preaching tapes and one of his CD's that I listen to every now and then. I thank God that I was allowed to be acquainted with Jamie Porterfield.
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PORTERFIELD, REV. JAMIE - age 49, of South Knoxville, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, January 22, 2004. He was the former Pastor of Fellowship and House Mountain Baptist Churches. He was well known for his beautiful singing of Gospel Music and his spiritual leadership of the South Knoxville Community. He was preceded in death by his: Sons, Jason and Joe Porterfield and by his father, Rev. A.J. Porterfield Survivors: Wife: Judy Porterfield Daughter: Jessie Porterfield and fiancée Will Cogdill Mother: Lorene Porterfield Brother and sister-in-law: Robert Porterfield and wife Becky Sister and brother-in-law: Kathy Wallace and husband Kenny Mother-in-law: Vina Knight. He will be missed by his breakfast buddies at the Korner Market and will always be in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. We are confident, I say and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8. Funeral service 1 PM Monday at Valley Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Chuck Young, Rev. Ed Parton and Rev. Guy Milam officiating. Interment will follow in Atchley's Seymour Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends 3-9 PM Sunday at Atchley Funeral Home Seymour, 122 Peacock Court, Seymour TN. (865)577-2807 (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)

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