A Sense of Being Called

Dick Armstrong was thoroughly committed to his promising future as a major league baseball front-office executive until something happened that completely changed his life and steered him in a totally new direction. In A Sense of Being Called Armstrong tells the story of what he calls his Damascus Road experience an awesome encounter with the God he had always believed in but had never given the slightest thought to serving. The dramatic theophany initiated a remarkable pilgrimage of faith in which he and his supportive wife Margie learned how God guides provides for and equips those who respond to the divine call. What the unbelieving world would label coincidence Dick and Margie viewed as the miraculous providence of God--of a God whose timing they came to understand is often surprising and always perfect. As the doors to entering seminary kept opening or closing in unpredictable ways Dick was eventually led to Princeton Theological Seminary where he met then-president John A. Mackay who was to have a powerful impact on Dicks life. Dick and Margies departure from the Baltimore Orioles and their transition to becoming a full-time seminary couple was traumatic. Their five-and-a-half-year-old son died on the Seminarys convocation day. The poignant story of Rickys death provides another inspirational illustration of how God is able to work for good even in the death of a child with those who are called according to Gods purpose. The three years at seminary were transformational for Dick Armstrong who traces the often -humorous events leading to his ordination and call to be the pastor of the Oak Lane Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. Armstrongs hope is that this book will move readers to consider how God has been at work in their lives and will awaken in them their own sense of being called. This is a providential publication. At a time when Gods people are challenged to rediscover their calling Dick Armstrongs beautiful story can help people do just that. It is a powerful reminder that when God enters our lives lifes direction often changes even dramatically. By the gift of faith we realise that our story has always been intended to be Gods story. The author invites the reader to accompany him on his remarkable journey of faith. This is a journey that I could observe for the almost thirty years that Prof. Armstrong has been my close personal friend and colleague. He and his writings have greatly impacted my ministry and the ministries of many hundreds of pastors and many more lay leaders in South Africa. They will be eager to read his amazing story and Im sure they will conclude as I have that his passionate commitment and powerful witness to the gospel are an impressive fulfilment of his sense of being called. --Malan Nel Founding Director of the Centre for Contextual Ministry Faculty of Theology University of Pretoria South Africa I am so glad Dick Armstrong has at last written the story of his call to ministry. My unique friendship with Dick began soon after he announced that he was leaving his position as Public Relations Director of the Baltimore Orioles to enter Princeton Seminary. He became a vital partner and indispensable colleague in shaping and enabling the mission of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In the early days of the FCA he served as a most needed interpreter of the unfolding vital relationship being forged between religion and sports. With the publication of A Sense of Being Called he has added another very helpful adventurous intriguing and joyful book to his excellent and varied writings. --Don McClanen Founder and first Executive Director Fellowship of Christian Athletes Dick Armstrong has been a friend and inspiration to me for decades. I thought I knew Dick but now I really know him after reading A Sense of Being Called. This book will stir your soul and lift your spirit just as it has done for me. --Pat Williams Senior Vice Presid