The Rev. Dr. John Parker, Senior IPHC Missionary Statesman In 1977-78 I was entering my sophomore year at Southwestern College. The only reason I ended up at the Pentecostal College was because of a Music Scholarship given to me the year before by Ray Ballew, and to become a member of the Great Life Singers. You see, I was raised in the Church of the Nazarene and while the beliefs were very similar, yet they were also very far apart in many ways.
It was during that year that Rev. John Parker played a part in one of the most pivotal times in my life, which change the course of life forever. To this day I will never understand why he asked me. While I had been up front singing to people all of my life, I wasn’t called to preach. I had never really spoken if front of groups before, so I had wondered what this was all about.
John Parker, who was working at the college that year, came up to me one day during lunch and asked if I would speak at a Chapel service. What I asked? Then he repeated his request. I was more than dumbfounded at this. WHY ME? My roommate Bishop Randall Drake was more qualified than I was. There were 30-40 students on campus who were called into the ministry, but yet for some reason John asked me to speak. I told him I would pray about it and let him know in the next few days.
I really wanted to say no thanks, but God had a different plan, like He always does, so I meet with Brother Parker and let him know that I would. I had a couple of weeks to prepare. Then it occurred to me, how do I prepare, what was I going to speak about? What did I have to offer that would change the lives of other students? I kept hearing God say, "Trust Me" I kept hearing Him say, seek me more than anything. So that is what I did up till the night before Chapel that next morning. Yet, I still didn’t know what I was going to say. That next morning I didn’t go to my classes, trusting God was going to help me. WOW did He ever. During my prayer time, I God filled me with His Power and the Holy Ghost. I didn’t have anyone there to lay hands on me, I didn’t have anyone around to say repeat after me. God works in mysterious ways, and I believe God used John Parker to lead me into the understanding that when you truly seek everything God has for you, your prayer won’t go unanswered.
Thank you, Rev. John Parker for believing in me. I have no doubt you changed many lives in your years here on earth. I am glad I was one of them.
Thanks,
Danny Nix
[Editor's comment: Danny Nix is married to the former Esther Canavesio, the daughter of Elvio and Emma Canavesio. Esther has worked for and with David Parker, son of John and Edna Parker, for years in the IPHC Extension Loan Fund. She is a valuable employee and speaks fluent Spanish as well as English. She is deeply spiritual and loves the Lord with all her heart. Danny serves as the Care & Tech Pastor of Passion Church in Oklahoma City where Steve Ely is the pastor. In addition, he is currently the Marketing & Customer Relations Manager for AVL Systems Design. If you wish to contact Danny Nix here are two email addresses: [email protected] or [email protected].]
It was during that year that Rev. John Parker played a part in one of the most pivotal times in my life, which change the course of life forever. To this day I will never understand why he asked me. While I had been up front singing to people all of my life, I wasn’t called to preach. I had never really spoken if front of groups before, so I had wondered what this was all about.
John Parker, who was working at the college that year, came up to me one day during lunch and asked if I would speak at a Chapel service. What I asked? Then he repeated his request. I was more than dumbfounded at this. WHY ME? My roommate Bishop Randall Drake was more qualified than I was. There were 30-40 students on campus who were called into the ministry, but yet for some reason John asked me to speak. I told him I would pray about it and let him know in the next few days.
I really wanted to say no thanks, but God had a different plan, like He always does, so I meet with Brother Parker and let him know that I would. I had a couple of weeks to prepare. Then it occurred to me, how do I prepare, what was I going to speak about? What did I have to offer that would change the lives of other students? I kept hearing God say, "Trust Me" I kept hearing Him say, seek me more than anything. So that is what I did up till the night before Chapel that next morning. Yet, I still didn’t know what I was going to say. That next morning I didn’t go to my classes, trusting God was going to help me. WOW did He ever. During my prayer time, I God filled me with His Power and the Holy Ghost. I didn’t have anyone there to lay hands on me, I didn’t have anyone around to say repeat after me. God works in mysterious ways, and I believe God used John Parker to lead me into the understanding that when you truly seek everything God has for you, your prayer won’t go unanswered.
Thank you, Rev. John Parker for believing in me. I have no doubt you changed many lives in your years here on earth. I am glad I was one of them.
Thanks,
Danny Nix
[Editor's comment: Danny Nix is married to the former Esther Canavesio, the daughter of Elvio and Emma Canavesio. Esther has worked for and with David Parker, son of John and Edna Parker, for years in the IPHC Extension Loan Fund. She is a valuable employee and speaks fluent Spanish as well as English. She is deeply spiritual and loves the Lord with all her heart. Danny serves as the Care & Tech Pastor of Passion Church in Oklahoma City where Steve Ely is the pastor. In addition, he is currently the Marketing & Customer Relations Manager for AVL Systems Design. If you wish to contact Danny Nix here are two email addresses: [email protected] or [email protected].]