COPYRIGHT INFO Publishing Info Library of Congress Catalog info Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright © 2011 by Zondervan Publishing Company. Note to editors: Is there a more recent version of NIV we need to cite? This book is dedicated to my Lord Jesus Christ, who, by His grace and sacrifice, made this son of a Gunn into a son of God. CONTENTS Foreword .................................................9 Preface with Acknowledgments ...............................11 Chapter 1 Son of a Gunn ................................15 Chapter 2 A Little Boy and a Big War .......................27 Chapter 3 The Sawdust Trail ..............................39 Chapter 4 The Worst Butterfinger I Ever Ate .................49 Chapter 5 Mr. Foster Wants to See You ......................53 Chapter 6 Belle of the Blue ...............................63 Chapter 7 School Bells, Wedding Bells, and Church Bells ........69 Chapter 8 I Move We Fire the Preacher ......................81 Chapter 9 We’re Going to Hollywood .......................93 Chapter 10 Music City, Here We Come .....................101 Chapter 11 Buckle Your Seat Belt ..........................109 Chapter 12 We’re Going to Disney .........................125 Chapter 13 The Better Plan ...............................133 7 Son of a Gunn Chapter 14 No One Else Believes It Either ...................145 Chapter 15 White House Calling ..........................161 Chapter 16 Standing, Sitting, Praying… In History ............171 Chapter 17 Air Force Two ................................189 Chapter 18 When All of Israel Was Silent ....................199 Chapter 19 A Dallas Parade and “Bush 43” ...................207 Chapter 20: Al Gore and the Burning of Black Churches .........213 Chapter 21 Madeleine Albright and Religious Persecution .......219 Chapter 22 Born-Again Peanut Farmer and Peacemaker .........227 Chapter 23 We’re Not Going to Disney .....................235 Chapter 24 When Tiger Came to Church ....................241 Chapter 25 Backroom Politics, Rose Garden, and National Treasure .............................261 Chapter 26 Next .......................................261 Chapter 27 I Forgot to Remember .........................271 Chapter 28 The Best Is Yet ...............................283 8 FOREWORD im Henry is truly one of the most loveable men of God I have ever known! From the first time we met in a classroom at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1960 until today, he has J remained one of my dearest and closest friends. I have had the joy of conducting revival meetings in every church he has pastored—as a matter of fact, so many times I have now lost count. And on every occasion my admiration and respect for him was only strengthened. When I think of Jim, I am reminded of what C. I. Schofield said in eval- uating the ministry of the powerfully used evangelist, D. L. Moody. He pointed out that Moody passed the two tests many preachers so often face: the discouragement of obscurity and the danger of prominence. He wisely observed that Moody was faithful to God as a shoe salesman when very few knew him; and he was also true to God after he became a renowned evange- list and thousands knew him. With great joy I have watched that same scenario unfold in the life and ministry of Jim Henry. When he began his ministry in obscurity, serving a small church in rural Mississippi, I never saw him whine or heard him complain. Many years later when he walked across the platform as the newly elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention, I never saw him strut nor heard him brag! 9 Son of a Gunn To those of us who know and love him, he has just always remained “Brother Jim”—a man greatly used of God, but who has been wise enough never to have boasted about it! For the hundreds of friends who admire and respect him, this book will be a treasured keepsake. For those who may not have had the privilege of knowing him, it will be a close and encouraging inside look at a truly unique and gifted servant of God. And in keeping with the clever title he has chosen for these memoirs, about all I know to say in conclusion is this: “That Son of a Gunn” sure has written a delightful book! Evangelist Junior Hill Hartselle, Alabama 10 ChapterTitle PREFACE WITH ACKNOWLEDGMENTS read that C.S. Lewis reported that he came into the Kingdom of God kicking and screaming. That’s how I was about writing my life story. I was reluctant for a number of reasons. I struggled with the thoughts: I Who would be interested? When would I find the time to write a book? Would writing my memoirs seem self-serving? Did I want to dig through the volumes of journals and memorabilia to pull out the information? Who and what would I include? Could I handle the gauntlet of emotions I knew I would resurrect as I recounted the joyful, the sorrowful, the bitter, and the sweet moments of my life journey? So, I put the writing of my story on hold for at least twenty years. However, during that time, I had three people who kept prodding me to do it. My mother often said to me, “You ought to do it for the family’s sake, if for no other reason. If you don’t, they will not be able to trace the footsteps of your life. You’ve had some interesting opportunities and experiences.” (Sounds like a mom, doesn’t it?) The second person who encouraged me to get this project done was Georgia Long—long-time friend, church member, owner of a wonderful Christian bookstore in Orlando, encourager to pastors, and generous being to a fault. She has given me hundreds of books over the years. Nearly every time I saw her, Georgia asked, “When are you going to write 11 Son of a Gunn this book? Don’t wait until you’re too old.” The third person who greatly encouraged me to write my story was Junior Hill—friend since seminary days, pastor, evangelist, and author. Having gone through the process of writing his own memoir, Junior told me it would be worth all that it would take to tackle this project, if only on a personal level as I would see the hand of God in my life. It would increase my love and gratitude for my Lord Jesus. He was right. I have laughed, teared up, shouted praises, prayed gratefully, and looked over my shoulder: awed at the grace and goodness of my Father. One of my greatest concerns is that I did not want my writing this book to be seen in any way as my being proud or boastful. By the Lord’s providence and sovereignty, He put me in situations—some in an historical context— that included national and international leaders and personalities, as well as world-shaping events—that gave me an inside view that I never dreamed I would have. Being a history major in college and having regularly journaled for fifty years, I had made notes from observations—some large and some small—that I think will be interesting to the reader. It was also a concern of mine that I not be hurtful to anyone. I have sought to be honest in my reporting. I felt some apprehension that my writing about some events, people, or institutions might come across in an unfavor- able way. My intention is not to do that. I pray that I have succeeded. For those reasons, I have left out some of the things I saw, heard, and journaled. Another concern was leaving out people and events that have shaped my life. I have tried to include many; however, there are countless others that merited inclusion. I just ran out of space. Even as I wrapped up my work, another person or experience would pop up. As I recalled these individuals or events I would murmur to myself, “Why didn’t I get them or that worked into my story?” So, if you read this book and do not find your name, know that you are written in the Lord’s Book of Remembrance (see Malachi 3:16) 12 ChapterTitle and I am eternally grateful for the positive example, prayers, and love you have poured into my life. It is my fervent prayer that our treasured children—Kitty, Betsy, and Jimmy; our wonderful sons-in-law—Danny and Stan; my superb daughter- in-law, Tammy; our cherished grandchildren—Caleb, Seth, Trey, Will, and Asa; our great-grandson, Shiloh; and our great-granddaughter, Belle, will be encouraged to love Jesus and be faithful to Him all their days. We deeply love you. There is no way on this side of eternity you can begin to know the great joy each of you have brought into our lives. To the Friday morning 6:30 a.m. “band of brothers” from Two Rivers and First Baptist Orlando who counseled, corrected, cajoled, occasionally complained, and comforted me for nearly fifty years: You are unforgettably appreciated, loved, and cherished. To my Jeanette—beautiful wife; wise, godly life partner for fifty-six years: thank you. Your quiet strength, sanctified common sense, unselfish love, and deep faith have been a constant source of joy. I love you forever. To those who have walked with me and come behind me—pastors, staff, men and women of faith: may your life be strengthened in your faith journey. People like you have powerfully touched my life. To ministry teammates, deacons, lay leaders, and assistants—Ann, Dot, Marty, Sandra, Sandi, and Suzie: thanks for your patience, perseverance, and protection of my time and study. To Laura; Lou and Marion Daniele; Kathy Siegel; and Dawn Harris, whose compassion, care, and commitment to Jeanette are magnificent displays of the heart of God: thank you for enabling me to keep on keeping on at home and beyond.