January 10, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Wednesday, January 10.
Willie Amos Criswell went home to glory on this day in 2002 at the age of 92. W A (as he was known) was the pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas for five decades. He came to lead that congregation in 1944, replacing George Washington Truett, who had been pastor for almost a half century. So, in the span of 100 years, First Baptist Dallas had just two pastors. In the last 30 years, they've had four!
During Dr. Criswell's tenure, the church tripled in size, becoming one of the largest churches in the world, and developing the template for the "mega churches" of today. One notable member of First Dallas was famed evangelist Billy Graham.
W A Criswell was a renowned pulpiteer himself, and two years before his death, he came to preach at the church where I served in Grand Prairie, Texas. He sat on the first pew as I led the music portion of the service. His head was down, his eyes were closed - I began to be a bit alarmed and wondered if he was going to have the strength to preach. But, when the time came, he came to life, strode confidently to the pulpit, and proceeded to deliver a 45-minute sermon!
Today, Criswell College in Dallas prepares young men and women for ministry, prepares them to make a difference in this dark world. A fitting tribute to a man of God who did just that.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
