August 21, 2018 - Each year thousands of books are published, marketed and read. Each year there are between 600,000 and 1,000,000 books published dealing with politics, history, government, memoirs, fiction and many other topics. I read many of books each year and sometimes recommend those that impress me and that I think might benefit and bless you should you read them. I have found a very good book by an East Texan who has a great deal to say that is encouraging, inspiring and insightful. I have read this 444 page book completely more than twice in the last week or so. In preparation for writing this column to recommend Henry Douglas Fincher’s exceptional book I have reviewed several selections several times over. Don’t let the length of this book discourage you because every page is full of good stories, faith insights, biblical truths and exceptional photographs. You can go to Doug Fincher’s website and get a copy to read – www.fincherscorner.com or you can send Doug and Pam an email inquiry to fincherandfriends@gmail.com.
Henry Douglas Fincher grew up in Center, Texas in Shelby County. As a teenager he became a Christian and shortly after that experience he was called to become a preacher. He was touched by some of the great preachers in East Texas at his early age – Dr. John Rawlings, Dr. J. Carroll Chadwick, Jimmy Jones and several others. He studied at Panola College and received a bachelor’s degree from East Texas Baptist College in English. After getting his college degree he enrolled at the Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, from which he graduated with a degree in theology. Fincher served as a pastor in churches in Texas, Oregon and Louisiana. For the last 27 years Doug has ministered in San Augustine (TX) as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church.
In the course of his service as a pastor, he also learned and employed skills as a gunsmith. He was an avid hunter and fisherman through the years. Many of the stories in his book Fincher and Friends—Faith, Photos and Firearms come from his hunting and fishing experiences. Both Doug and his Cajun wife Pam enjoy the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing. As an exceptional gunsmith Fincher has built several hundred rifles and firearms. His book emphasizes some of these exceptional firearms and those for whom he crafted them.
In addition, the Finchers also are professional photographers. The book is filled with photographs illustrating points and stories in their lives. Some of the best stories are about personal relationships and friendships through their past dealing with family, friends and churches. Doug writes a weekly column for many newspapers and publications including both his written comments and photographic illustrations documenting his story or column.
This good book is about a Christian minister, custom rifle builder, writer, photographer and school teacher. Through Fincher’s life journey he has amassed a large number of friends in the places he has served as pastor. In addition to being a minister in a church, he has also found time to join with others hunting, fishing and having fun. He has taught school in some communities, as well as served in many other ways his neighbors and friends. This is a readable and really good book. In his brief introduction to his book Fincher rightly says, “Someone anonymously wrote, ‘A good friend knows all your stories and your best friends helped you write them.’ And my many ‘best friends’ not only helped me write them but are my book’s most memorable characters.” He goes on to conclude his introduction saying, “I thank God for the memory He has given me and thank the many friends that have blessed me along the way.”
I have become a friend of Doug Fincher and I want to recommend his book to you so that you can also become his friend. I guarantee you a really good read and an exceptional inspiration as you thoughtfully make your way through the 348 columns, stories, photographs and devotionals in this book. There are many scriptures through the book with comments and devotional thoughts appended that will provide you with good things to think about and to bless your day or night. The length of each item is such as you can easily read one or two a day. I enjoyed reading about many of the individuals that I’ve heard about or have known personally for many years. Some I know about, but did not know personally and I’ve enjoyed learning about them and their contribution to church and community—Dr. J. Carroll Chadwick (pastor of Center’s First Baptist Church, a long-time trustee of East Texas Baptist College and a strong community leader); Agnes Sparks (a great educator in San Augustine); Claude Lucas (great farmer in Short Community in Shelby County raising quality watermelons); Big Fred Smith (one of ETBC’s best basketball players); Chuck Newsome (owner of Lanana Creek Art Gallery in Nacogdoches (TX); Pete Dellinger (owner of Dellinger’s Grocery in Center (TX) and others related to him, including Mattie Dellinger); Dr. John Rawlings (a Tyler Baptist pastor and many years pastor of one of the largest independent Baptist churches in America in Cincinnati (OH)—the Landmark Baptist Temple); Dr. C. E. Roark (professor of New Testament Greek at ETBC for many years); Mrs. Era Miller (head of the English Department at ETBC); and T. O. Ellington (son of one of the leaders of Farmers State Bank in Center and owner of large acreage in Shelby County).
I hope that you become a friend of Henry Douglas Fincher by reading his book, and that you will share that with him.
I would like to know if you read Fincher and Friends and what you think about it. I would like to hear also what you think of friendship. I would like to learn from you, as I have learned from Doug Fincher and his many friends. You can reach me by writing to Dr. Jerry Hopkins, P. O. Box 1363, Marshall, Texas 75671, or by emailing me at drjerryhopkins@yahoo.com. Dr. Jerry Hopkins is a historian and a retired university professor
