LEARNING TO BE A SOUL WINNER He said to His disciples, liThe harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field." Matt. 9:37-38 LEARNING TO BE A SOUL WINNER TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGINATION PAGES CONTENTS Subtitle: Want Wisdom? Just ask! INTRODUCTION i-vii DEDICATION - PREFACE CHAPTER ONE "Chuckles from Northern Neighbors 1-4 CHAPTER TWO "Daddy, I'm Hungry" 5-8 CHAPTER THREE "Remember Pearl Harbor, Again" 9 -12 CHAPTER FOUR "When You're Green You're Growing" 13 -18 CHAPTER FIVE "Want Help? It's Available!" 19 -24 CHAPTER SIX "Seeing His Hand In Everything" 25 -40 CHAPTER SEVEN "From Comfort Zone to Power Zone" 41- 50 CHAPTER EIGHT "Blessed Is He Whose Quiver Is Full" 51- 58 - CHAPTER NINE "Love, Genuine and Unconditional" 59-66 CHAPTER TEN "Beware When All Speak Well Of You!" 67 -76 CHAPTER ELEVEN "I Thought You Were A Bus Driver!" 77 - 100 CHAPTER TWELVE "Call A Toe Truck!" 101- 120 CHAPTER THIRTEEN "Beware Of Men Speaking III Will!" 121-134 CHAPTER FOURTEEN "New Scenes and Old Habitats" 135 - 152 CHAPTER FIFTEEN "New Bottles For New Wine" 153-166 CHAPTER SIXTEEN "Making Sense Of Coincidence" 167 -178 ADDENDUMS Poems and Observations 179 - 181 "LEARNING TO BE A S OUL WINNNER" INTRODUCTION: DALE SMITH Page i "Get ready to be inspired and challenged as you read this book. It must have been in the late winter or early spring of 1970 that fifteen or twenty preachers descended on our home in the suburb of Chicago for a two or three day visit. It wasn't a preacher attack. Mary Jo and I had invited them. We knew of Marvin Pegg's "Precious Encounter" material and the work he and Silas Shotwell were doing to turn God's family into an army of soul winners and soul keepers. In my extensive travels among churches of Christ, I had found few congregations that were aggressive in winning souls. And almost none that had aggressive programs to keep the saved. For a few short days we sat at the feet of men who loved the Lord, the lost, and those redeemed by the blood if the Lamb. Our lives were enriched and I know the churches we served were enriched as a result of our "precious encounter" during those few days. Your life will likewise be enriched by reading this book. Some entries go back many, many years. But while you will share the experiences of Marvin - and Pawnee (his helpmeet and fellow sojourner for the Lord) - there's more. You'll gain insight as to why fields are always ripe unto harvest if we have eyes to see and hearts to care: hearts that care enough to take action. And you'll gain insights in how to take action. This is a journey that twists and turns, moves through a variety of setting, cultures, climes and times. As it does so, you'll marvel at how the Lord works through Marvin and Pawnee to reach out to many in such a myriad of ways. It will become obvious that just as God used them, He can use you, me, any of his children in almost any situation, if we're sensitive and willing. The tapestry of this soul-winning story has woven into it certain factors that are repeated and blended: "Love ' em, be ready, serve 'em. Watch for opportunity, love 'em, take action. Gently prod, plead, persist, love 'em. Don't be a soil inspector, sow abundantly, nurture, love 'em. Know you are a co-worker with God, love Him and don't set a time limit on Him." There are other elements, but these are a vital part of the fabric of this book. Bottom line is that you (I too) can be a soul winner. Enjoy the journey this novel takes you on. As with a Michener novel that has plots, subplots, multiple locations, and many characters, you may occasionally find yourself saying such things as, "Wait a minute, where am I? Is this Oregon, Hawaii, Canada or Matteson Illinois? Is Marvin a salesman in Salem or an Old Salt at sea?" The thing to remember is that whether we're with Marvin talking to a hitchhiker on the highway or a mechanic under the hood of a car, we're watching a soul-winner at work. In the process we learn how we, too, can share God's good news. Enjoy the journey. The Kingdom will be better because you make the trip." Philip Dale Smith - Preacher, Teacher, Novelist, Children's Books Prize-winning Author, and Conductor of "Every Kid a Winner" seminars. LEARNING TO BE A SOUL WINNER INTRODUCTION: SILAS SHOTWELL Page ii Marvin Pegg is an exceptional man. I remember the first time I heard his name, the first time I saw him, and the first time T met him: events that took place when he retired from the Navy in 1959. Marvin is truly unique. As an old Washingtonian used to say, 'the likes of which there is no whicher.' There are several traits that stand out in my mind about my good friend Marvin. 1. He has a thankful spirit. It was some years after I met Marvin that I went with him into a Bank in Bourbonnais, Illinois and the Bank Teller asked Marvin, "How are you?" He replied, "Grateful." And to me that's Marvin's trademark. He is "Mr. Grateful." He appreciates life, people, and the grace God has given. 2. He appreciates the little things in life that others miss. The prophet Zechariah asked, "Who despises the day of small things?" (Zech. 4: 10) And my answer to that question would be, 'Not Marvin!' He is observant, sensitive, and relishes even the smallest detail. He can quote songs, poems, Bible verses, and names that he learned many years ago. He can give you facts, trivia, and precious tidbits that most have forgotten and some never knew. 3. He has a generous heart. Marvin believes in sharing the things that he holds most dear. He will tell you, with a smile on his face, of the message of grace and the love of his dear Lord. He will tell you the funny story he just heard, or tell you where to get the best clam chowder on the Oregon Coast. He believes that things worth having are things worth sharing. He is unselfish in all that he has and does. 4. He is HALF of a wonderful combination. It is impossible for me to think of Marvin without also of Pawnee. "Marvin and Pawnee" go together as surely as "Adam and Eve," "Abraham and Sarah," and "Aquila and Priscilla." Like the finest porcelain candlesticks, they are a "matched set," Edna Mae and I have no finer, truer friends. And we thank God for them. On that first day I met Marvin I had no idea what an impact he would have on my life. We've worked together in so many places, laughed at so many stories, and cried over many hurting people. When I reflect on the countless memories, I don't recall one where Marvin and I were not together in our thinking. So if you ask me what I feel, as I consider my friend and brother Marvin, I'll qu ickly tell you ... 'Grateful!' " Silas Shotwell, PhD, Minister, Author, "Good News" Publisher, Regional Director of "Safety Net." [Author comment]: Years ago, there was a song titled: "We Belong To a Mutual- Admiration Society." The things Silas and Dale have written about our friendship HAVE spanned several years. I'm reminded though, of a story about the badge for humility that the City fathers awarded one of its citizens. Later, they took it from him - because he wore it! In Provo 17: 17 is written: "A friend loves at all times." And even if they see my many faults, they wouldn't be apt to tell you about them! And r feel like I should have my "badge" taken away for including their comments. MEMOIRS OF A SOUL WINNER DEDICATION Page iii Many are they to whom J owe a debt of gratitude for help in knowing, and in efforts to live, a Christ-centered, Holy Spirit guided life: my wife who stayed with me through thick and thin (a lot of which was transparently thin at times); my brother Walt who baptized my wife and then taught me about the Lord; Ed Latham who fed my spirit and greatly helped me in my spiritual infancy; Silas Shotwell who carried me along and got me involved in numerous projects; Dale Smith whose lessons and love were inspirational and who encouraged me in writing this; Lynn Anderson whose sermon style I endeavored to imitate and whose letter of condolence warmed my soul when our oldest son was killed. His letter came at a time of need. Thank you, one and all, I dedicate this to you in full assurance that you will accept its intent and overlook its flaws. "Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me." Or, as go the words of a hymn: "Jesus paid it aU, all to Him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow." Pamela Pegg, the wife of our son Gary, wrote the following poem she titled: "God Words." The thoughts speak to me and perhaps to many of you who are reading it.