Thanks Dr. Reccord for a Celebrate Life weekend that made a difference at Calvary Baptist Church! The changes for good that took place in our Church were very obvious:

(1) I saw the attitude of an entire church change as they came to the real conviction that they can and must be the church in this area and in this era in which a correspondent of the New York Times and a Harvard Divinity School graduate has just written a book entitled, “American Fascists: the Christian Right and the War on America”. It is a cynical book that compares Evangelical Christians in America to the old Nazis in Germany. While us older Christians know better the young people do not remember the days of Hitler and the Nazis but we have a new determination to minister in a cynical world.

(2) I saw Church Members wiping tears as you promoted the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions and shared with the people in such a touching way some of the things that were done by the Annie Armstrong Offering.

(3) I saw individuals come to Christ when they realized that the life with Christ is the only life worth living and the only journey worth taking is the one we take with Him.

(4) I saw a new warmth of fellowship within our church and a new caring for those outside our church. Our people developed a new commitment to “go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in”.

I appreciate your spirit. I never heard you utter a word of bitterness but only uplifting words of encouragement and challenge to be all that God would have us to be and all that we can be through Him. You have made a difference in our church that will not soon be lost.

In a previous post I shared about the joy I had speaking to leaders on mentoring. My outline actually used the word M-E-N-T-O-R as an acrostic of key components to effective mentoring. Allow me to share one with you that I share with them…

M—MAKE INVESTMENTS THAT COUNT

In speaking and pouring into the life of another, it is key that the one being mentored is hungry to learn.

Have you seen the movie Zorro with Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins? Hopkins believes that Banderas can succeed him as Zorro….but he realizes the young man has a lot to learn. Asking if he knows how to use a sword, he watches amused as Banderas shows off with his sword…all motion with not much skill. Then, like lightening, Hopkins easily knocks the sword out of Banderas’ hand…and with a sigh mutters, “This is going to be a looooooong process!”

But then he utters a line that captured my attention, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” When the student is ready…that is key to mentoring. That person needs to feel they want to improve, grow, deepen and stretch in their life and leadership arenas…and that they want someone who is a few steps further down the road of life and leadership to help the get there.

Tim is one of those. He called me about 3 years ago and asked if I would consider mentoring him. I was shocked. He lived 5 hours from my home!! As we talked and I raised the challenges involved, he committed to drive with his wife and kids to my home monthly! And that he did…for two years!!!! Cheryl and I were able to pour into their lives…and they poured into ours. Today, he is a GREAT friend, a partner in ministry and hardly two weeks go by that he is not calling and encouraging me!!

“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear!” Who is ready…right where you are? Then what are you waiting for?

My friend Bob Reccord is a world-class Christian leader!

His experiences – from a local church pastor to denominational executive, to parachurch visionary – are a great gift to the Kingdom. Bob has the capacity to identify with people’s needs, give them hope and most importantly, give them the plan they need to make their lives better. Bob is a people developer! He inspires and equips. He listens and evaluates
before offering a solution. In addition, he is one sensational communicator!

I consider Bob a friend and mentor. I value his advice and his thinking. He makes me better when I’m with him. And when I am with him, I feel accepted and respected. He has a big vision to help others in North America and around the world with the values and virtures rooted in faith, hope and love.

Bob is sterling in character, compassionate in heart, and joyful in spirit.

Dr. John Hull
President/CEO
EQUIP – John Maxwell, Founder

This note is to affirm the ministry of my friend Bob Reccord. Recently the Lord prompted me to lead our church to Get Ready for Easter by moving our Sunday’s to Monday nights leading up to Easter. Bob Reccord was our first guest preacher in these five meetings. The people in our church as well as the many who chose to honor us by attending from the churches in the
surrounding five counties are still raving about the evening. The song says it better than I could…surely the presence of the Lord fills this
place.

Monday night was awesome, but Tuesday morning, Bob volunteered to stay over and host the pastors of the area for a special challenge. Our pastors still phone me and beg for more of that type of teaching. Few men have loved me like Bob has in his giving to the church I serve and the community I am trying to reach for Christ. What a partner in the gospel ministry he has
been for me.

Great preacher, wonderful communicator, dynamic storyteller, humble giving servant…all are attributes of this faithful servant. However, nothing I could say would surpass that this man loves his Savior, his wife, his children, his call and his friends. What a joy it is to be a friend of Bob Reccord’s, but that doesn’t make me special…every pastor and church leader is his friend. I am just one of thousands and I am so glad to be one.