Start Here
This section is normally called the "Introduction". However, most people never read the introduction, so to keep you from missing this important preface, I have decided to call it "Start Here".
My name is William Sharples (SHARP-less). I was born in 1962. In 1984, I married Melissa Dawn and in 1989 we had a son, Jeremiah Levi.
I served as senior pastor of Pythian Avenue Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri, from February 11, 1990, through March 30, 1997. I have been in the ministry since June 1984. I was ordained in April 1985, and I have served as a pastor, evangelist, associate pastor and interim pastor, all in the ranks of the Southern Baptist Convention.
In 1993, at a worship conference in Springfield, Missouri, I met Dr. Del Tarr, president of Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, and Dr. Gary Kellner, extension dean. For whatever reason, these two men, along with several others, began a long, four-year prayer for me. It was at this time that God began to orchestrate His plan for my future. As you read this book you will see why God gave them a burden for me.
In way of acknowledgements, I would like to thank all those who gave of themselves to help make this book a reality: To my wife, Melissa, thanks for putting up with the years of frustration as we waited for God�s plan to unfold.
To Drs. Tarr and Kellner, thanks for your many prayers. May God use you to shape the hearts of those who will reach the world.
To Brother Wayne Neal, thanks for sharing your heart. Keep preaching the Word with fervor. To Pastor Ken Robinson, thanks for allowing God to bring revival. First Assembly in Bolivar, Missouri, will always be special to me. To Pastor Larry Meeks, thanks for laying your hand on my heart. To Smitty�s, thanks for the cracker aisle.
To my friends of Pythian Avenue Baptist Church who walked with me into renewal, thanks for your love and support. To those who didn�t understand what was happening, I pray God will touch your hearts with His love.
To the many churches and pastors who have opened their arms to my ministry, you will never know, this side of Heaven, how much encouragement you have given me. To those who have called and written to encourage me, I send my sincere thanks.
To my friend, Jamie Bilton, thanks for helping make this book a reality. I greatly appreciate you giving your valuable time to work with this "layman" author. I could not have done it without you. Thanks to David Mayne for the cover design. To Noella Ybarra, thank you very much for your tireless hours editing this work. Thanks for arguing with me.
Oh yeah, thanks to David Ybarra for turning down the television and thanks to Daniel Boozer (just because he wanted to see his name in print).
Most of all, thank you, Yahweh. May I never take another step without You. I love You!
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