John Swails was my first mentor in systematic Bible study. When I enrolled at Emmanuel College in 1961, I had no idea what was ahead for me, and especially that I would meet a teacher who would motivate me so profoundly to study the Scriptures. I was amazed watching him teach from memory. It seemed to me he did not need a textbook. I also remember his preaching in the Franklin Springs PH Church. He had such an ability to take a passage of Scripture and open up its treasures. I think I tried to write down every thing he said. And when he really got into a sermon and wanted our undivided attention, he would forcefully use the phrase that was uniquely his, "My brother my sister...."
Brother Swails had a marvelous ability to motivate us young preacher boys to pray. The choir area was designated for the young men and the altar area for the young ladies. In that choir loft I'd pour out my soul to the Lord. One of those Sunday evenings, the Lord revealed Himself to me and told me the future of my ministry would be in the western part of the church. Time proved that special word to be so right even though at the time I had little awareness that IPHC had ministry west of the Mississippi. Lu and I a few years later found our place in Oklahoma City. Over the years I have been faithful to that vision, turning down all opportunities to relocate. When I wrote Our Awesome Lord it was very easy to include Brother Swails in the dedication.That was my way of saying "THANK YOU" to my first mentor in systematic Bible study who did so much in those formative years to help launch me in service to his Lord, and mine.
Frank G. Tunstall
Bishop and Superintendent Heartland Conference,
IPHC Oklahoma City, OK
Posted on
Fri, June 18, 2010
by Hugh Morgan