Dustin | Reverend Edward Puckett
I am a Christian today because Reverend Edward Puckett visited my childhood home with his youth pastor, Andy Stidham. Edward Puckett is a man of integrity, conviction, biblical faithfulness, and passionate evangelism. We cannot know what would or would not have happened, yet in God’s wonderful grace and plan, I am convinced I would not be where I am today without Ed Puckett’s influence.
Brother Puckett has been in ministry for many years and continues to plod forward in the gospel ministry today. Sometimes people refer to pastors as “good at pastoring” or “good at preaching”, holding the two concepts in contradiction. A biblically faithful approach sees the pastor as both faithful in preaching God’s word AND shepherding God’s sheep. Ed was great at building relationships within the community through his ministry as well as his honey distribution and tomato growing. He also preached the Bible in an understandable and applicable way. Brother Puckett was not afraid to confront sin and point to the Savior. As I began answering God’s call on my life, Brother Puckett was faithful to develop my calling by deploying me to serve with our church’s nursing home ministry during the Sunday school hour, though I was only a boy.
May God raise up more men like Edward Puckett who preach the Bible with clarity and conviction and who prioritize personal evangelism for the sake of the Gospel!
There are many other faithful pastors I would like to honor, yet this space is much too small for me to honor all the faithful shepherds in my life. Whether you are currently in a shepherding role or have been in the past, do not grow weary in well doing. You will reap a Gospel harvest, even if you do not realize your impact this side of eternity (Galatians 6:9).
Mike | Reverend Michael Gladson
I want to begin my tribute to faithful pastors who have impacted my life to the Reverend Michael Gladson. Pastor Mike was the Senior Pastor of my home church (First Free Will Baptist Church – Washington, NC) during my childhood. Not only that, but he was my first pastor. I have fond memories of Pastor Mike preaching expositional sermons through books of the Bible that were text-driven and relevant for people’s lives, singing special music, greeting me at the door of our church’s vestibule after service with a hug and a smile, being active in our local community there in Washington, and being passionate about soul-winning. He built meaningful relationships in my home church, relationships that I know are still formidable today. That kind of influence and ministry cannot be measured with numbers, decisions, or programs.
Because of Mike Gladson’s commitment to preaching the gospel with conviction and power, I was saved and baptized under his ministry. He is also one of the primary reasons I wanted to be in pastoral ministry. Whereas most kids want to grow up and be a police officer, a firefighter, a doctor, or some other adventurous career, I wanted to be a pastor from the age of 5 years old because I looked up to Pastor Mike. His steady voice behind the pulpit, professional appearance in a suit and tie, and his longevity in ministry appealed to me. Little did I know that God was using Mike Gladson’s ministry to prepare my own heart to answer the call to preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Although I did not answer the call to preach the gospel under his pastorate, his role in my spiritual formation and ministry calling are undeniable. Furthermore, upon leaving my home church, Pastor Mike ministered at my wife’s home church in Nashville, TN for many years. His influence in mine and Megan’s life is part of God’s gracious work in bringing us together. I am forever thankful for the ministry of Mike Gladson!
Now that I am a pastor, I want to emulate his example. I want to preach expositional sermons straight from the Bible. I want to commit myself to a local church for a long period of time. I want to give myself to soul-winning and equipping God’s people to reach others with the gospel. I want the children and youth in my church to remember me greeting them with a hug or a handshake and a genuine smile. I want to use the skills and abilities God has given me for his glory. I want to lead others well, pointing them to Jesus and teaching them to observe all that He has commanded. I want to see believers become fully devoted and spiritually mature followers of Jesus Christ. Those qualities summarize Pastor Mike’s ministry. I pray they summarize my own.
I used to say, “When I grow up, I want to be like Pastor Mike!” Now that I am older and serving in pastoral ministry, I still say the same thing. Thank you, Pastor Mike, for your faithful ministry as a servant of Jesus Christ. This young preacher loves and appreciates you.
