Memories From An Old Preacher's Kid
Written by Kelly Goodman with David Thomas
From the Archives: Winter 2013
Hi, my name is Dave Thomas, and I am a “preacher’s kid” - O.k., I’m an “old preacher’s kid.” My dad served God through his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ all his life on this earth, and he taught me and my three brothers to do the same. From the day I was born, I was raised in the church and taught the Bible. It was as if I had no choice but to be a preacher. But in every church my dad served as pastor, I watched him give his flock unconditional love, while all he seemed to get back in return was suffering and persecution. Because of this observation, I never wanted to be a preacher like Dad. He seemed to have too many bosses, and even I could see, at a young age, that he would never be able to please them all. I did, however, enjoy singing! My oldest brother, Tim, two of his closest friends, and I formed a gospel quartet, and we traveled every summer, singing in churches, camps, conventions, and even once on a river boat. When they all went to college, the quartet broke up, but I joined them the following year and we picked up right where we left off - traveling to different churches, camps, and conventions, and singing every weekend. Our travels led us to Irvine, Kentucky, where I met the most beautiful woman and Christian I had ever seen… Her name was Becky, and she had the most beautiful singing voice I had ever heard! On July 5, 1974, we were married, and we immediately started singing together. After graduating from Kentucky Christian University with a B.A. degree, majoring in Bible and minoring in Christian Education, I continued my education with a master’s degree in Ministry, and was finally ordained as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, by my dad, on May 11, 1975. (I said I am an “old preacher’s kid.”)
I’ll never forget Dad’s charge to me at my ordination: “Preach the Word!” Dad ended every conversation we ever had after my ordination with that same charge: “Preach the Word!” I, however, enjoyed singing the Word. Two years later, Becky and I formed “Becky & Dave, Servants of Christ” and started traveling all over the US as singing evangelists. Before our first year was up, we were already booked solid for the next three years. I loved entertaining Christians! But when Dad died on March 29, 2001, I finally looked up those words that I missed hearing so much, “Preach the Word!” They were the last words I can remember him saying to me. I found them in 2 Timothy. It was as if I had read them for the first time, and after I read them, my ministry changed forever. The words come from the apostle Paul, who trained and ordained his “son” Timothy as an evangelist. In 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8, Paul reminded Timothy of some very familiar words that my dad taught me. “You know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, suffering… the persecutions I endured… In fact, everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted… But as for you, continue in what you have learned, and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped… In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus… I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn away from the truth… But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
The day my dad died, my ministry changed! Until Dad’s death, I had preached and sung with my wife Becky all over the US, starting 7 churches. I would stay with the churches as their pastor until they were strong enough to support a full-time preacher of their own, and then I would move on, preaching and singing with Becky until we were able to find another core group of Christians strong enough to build another church. But, I never felt I was “discharging all the duties of my ministry.” I felt like I had to keep entertaining them and telling them what their itching ears wanted to hear if I wanted them to stay and the church to continue to grow. I needed to “Preach the Word!” I needed to preach all of it, including the doctrinal commands no one wanted to hear!
So, for the next four years after Dad’s departure, I prepared myself to “do the work of an evangelist.” I recorded sermons and teachings of the Holy Scriptures, on every book, chapter, and verse of the New Testament, and all the highlights of the Old Testament. I then wrote doctrinal study guides to teach the truth of the commands of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (I Timothy 4:16). I started a weekly one-hour radio program on WEMM 107.9 FM (every Monday night at 11:00), teaching straight through the Bible - every book, chapter and verse. And, after the lesson, I started offering FREE Bibles, CDs, and study guides. I didn’t just want to give a Bible to someone - I wanted to be sure they understood what they were reading. I knew it was time I started explaining what I learned about the Bible to more people, without fear of persecution to the point where I might be tempted to skip the whole truth for fear that I may offend someone, lose my job, and have to find another way to support my family. It was time I started to “Preach the Word!” It was time to preach every book, chapter and verse without fear of persecution by those in the church who are offended by certain Scriptures, or don’t believe everything that is written in the Bible.
So, on August 29, 2005, I resigned from the church I was pastoring (a church I had started back in 1985), and started doing “the work of an evangelist.” The Lord allowed my radio program to go world-wide (you can now listen over your computer or smart phone), and I was soon hearing from people all over the world. I started a website, www.soctm.com, and soon I had all of my sermons and lessons throughout the entire Bible, along with my radio program, and all of my doctrinal study guides available online. I have since made contacts (sending Bibles, CDs, and study guides to them) in the following areas: Zambia, Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria, Bunia, Congo, Kenya, Turkey, India, Iraq, Afghanistan, Burundi, Rwanda, Tororo, Rwabisengo, Malaba, Uganda, Entebbe, Philippines, and even Pakistan. I also have started prison ministries in Arizona, Missouri, West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. I now teach my contacts, send them Bibles, CDs, and study guides, and they teach the people in their study group or church in their own native languages. As they grow, I send more Bibles and materials - FREE OF CHARGE (2 Corinthians 2:17)!
Now, as I look back on my life with Dad while he was on this earth, I realize why he ended every conversation with me with that same charge - “Preach the Word!” I found the answer in 2 Timothy1:6-2:7, where the apostle Paul explained it to his “son” Timothy: “...I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands (at his ordination service)… But join with me in suffering for the Gospel… for of this gospel I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day. What you heard from me, keep as that pattern of sound teaching… Guard the good deposit that I entrusted to you - guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us… And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs - he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules (doctrine)… Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.”
Now, as I reflect on Dad’s charge to me - to “Preach the Word,” I realize that I am the one Dad “entrusted” “the good deposit” with. I am the “reliable man” whom he deemed “qualified to teach others.” And when my time comes for the Lord to call me home, I’ll see Dad again, and comfort him with the following words: I “preached the Word,” I “guarded the good deposit” he entrusted to me; and I left that “good deposit” with his three fine grandsons, who, he will be proud to know, are “reliable men” who will also be qualified to teach others!
