News at ABWE
Dr. Kempton Inducted to Evangelists’ Hall of Fame
Dr. Wendell Kempton was recently inducted into the Robert G. Nicholas Evangelists' Hall of Fame at Shasta Bible College and Graduate School in Redding, California. The plaque by his picture reads "Wendell W. Kempton, World-wide Ambassador for Christ (1932-2008)". Dr. Kempton’s biography hangs on the wall as well, which testifies to his life of vision an uncommon faith. It reads, "His ministry of discipleship and encouragement touched countless lives and motivated them to excellence in ministry."
Dr. David Nicholas, President of Shasta Bible College and Graduate School, was an early friend of Dr. Kempton’s. Many graduates of Shasta have joined ABWE as missionaries. The school plans to announce Dr. Kempton’s induction into the hall of fame at a chapel service during the fall semester, in hopes that Dr. Kempton’s example will encourage and inspire many students.
The purpose of the hall of fame is to recognize and honor the lives and ministries of faithful servants who have been uniquely blessed of God in evangelism, church planting, and personal soul winning. Throughout the Old Testament, memorials were established to remind God’s people of His great and wonderful works. Prov. 10:7 tells us that, “The memory of the righteous is blessed,” and Psalm 112:6b assures us that “The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.” Therefore, Shasta Bible College believes it is fitting to honor the memory of those who have been models and mentors in the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). By honoring faithful evangelists, future generations of Christian leaders understand the priority of obeying the Great Commission, the precept that “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30), and the prospect that “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).
Robert G. Nicholas
The Robert G. Nicholas Evangelist’s Hall of Fame was established Sept. 21, 2003, by Dr. David Nicholas, President of Shasta Bible College and Graduate School in memory of his father, Pastor/Evangelist Robert G. “Bob” Nicholas. The project was funded by grateful friends and loved ones whose lives were impacted for Christ by Bob and his wife, Pearl, who were used of God to found and establish four independent Baptist churches in Southern California, associated with the General Association of Regular Baptists. In addition to his church planting and pastoral ministry, Bob was a gifted evangelist who conducted evangelistic crusades in the West, Midwest and Southern areas of the United States in local churches and youth camps. Gifted by God to reach adults, young people and children, his powerful, Holy Spirit-anointed preaching of God’s Word brought conviction of sin and resulted in lasting fruit and changed lives. Equally comfortable sharing Christ with corporate executives or the down and out, God used his ministry to revolutionize the lives of people from all walks of life. His crusades often included a special gospel magic presentation known as “Jimmy’s Little Mystery House,” that was used of God to reach the hearts of hundreds of boys and girls. He understood the problems and challenges faced by pastors, and was gifted not only in reaching the lost, but in unifying churches behind their pastors. For 60 years he published and distributed gospel tracts that have been used of God to reach lost people throughout the nation and around the world.