A Modern Barnabas

Can a man be an effective pastor using the Bible as his total guide?</P><P>Starting with fewer than 100 members pastor Beal built a congregation of over 3000. How? Foremost he let the Bible be his guide surely evidence that the Bible is an up-to-date book. Secondly he had the ministry of encouragement just as the Biblical Barnabas. Through being an encourager he led over 200 young people into full-time Christian service. As an encourager he gained the trust of many other pastors who looked to him for leadership.</P><P>Most importantly he wanted everyone to understand the truth of salvation by grace through faith alone in Christ alone. A rough estimate of the number of people he led to faith in Christ is 5000 approximated by the number whom he baptized as adult believers.</P><P>Pastor Beal was a major founder of the Conservative Baptist denomination a surprising role he never chose for himself. Some of the historical background of events that split the American Baptist Convention have never before been told.</P>