Author Archives: William E. Richardson

About William E. Richardson

I'm married to a wonderful woman named Deb. We're the parents of a son and daughter who bring great joy to our lives. I currently pastor the Assembly of God church in Afton, Iowa.

HUDSON TAYLOR

Posted on 05/21/2013

Born MAY 21 , 1832 In his book China’s Spiritual Needs and Claims, Hudson Taylor made an observation using Jesus’ parable of the shepherd with 100 sheep. He said that instead of leaving the 99 to rescue the one lost sheep, “we stay at home with the … Continue reading →

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ANDREW MURRAY

Posted on 05/09/2013

Born MAY 9, 1828 Andrew was born in South Africa. His Scottish father pastored the Dutch Reformed Church in Graaff Reinet. The combination of geopolitical environment and spiritual experiences prepared young Andrew for his life’s work. God would use him to draw people of varied ethnic back-grounds around the … Continue reading →

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WARNER SALLMAN

Posted on 04/30/2013

Born APRIL 30, 1892 Warner Sallman’s well-known yet lesser-known paintings have sold 500 million copies altogether. The Chicago native’s most famous painting, Head of Christ, has sold that number on its own. In only a few years it became an iconic image of Jesus around … Continue reading →

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2012 Relit: EVANGELISTS- A BILL AND 2 BILLYS

Posted on 04/23/2013

They had a passion to lead others to personal faith in Jesus Christ. Each man, born in a different century, impacted his world with the gospel. One built chapels where he preach-ed and people came to know Jesus. The other two built ministry … Continue reading →

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CORRIE TEN BOOM

Posted on 04/15/2013

Born APRIL 15, 1892 The line of women in prison camp dresses shuffled past the guards. The German soldiers frisked each one. They searched the woman ahead of Corrie three times, but didn’t touch her. A few minutes later, rather than search Corrie, a woman … Continue reading →

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WILLIAM BOOTH

Posted on 04/10/2013

Born APRIL 10, 1829 William Booth understood poverty. He had to quit school as a young teen to contribute to the family income. William was 14, working as an apprentice for a Nottingham, England pawnbroker when his father died. That increased the family’s … Continue reading →

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DAWSON TROTMAN

Posted on 03/25/2013

Born MARCH 25, 1906 The hymn begins, “I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore.” As a young man out of high school, Dawson was figuratively sinking in sin when he tried rescuing his girlfriend from drowning in a lake … Continue reading →

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2012 Relit: 4 FEMALE HYMN WRITERS

Posted on 03/18/2013

Only one of these four women (Fanny Crosby) married. They all lived through the Civil War. They had connections with U. S. presidents and war-related venues. All four of them died within a six-year period (1915-1921). God used these four women to write hymns that have … Continue reading →

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ROBERT LOWRY

Posted on 03/12/2013

Born MARCH 12, 1826 When the position for music editor opened at the Biglow Publishing Company in 1868, God moved Pastor Robert Lowry into the vacancy. Like Joshua replacing Moses as Israel’s leader, Robert followed the talented William Bradbury in advancing the role … Continue reading →

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GLADYS AYLWARD

Posted on 02/23/2013

Born FEBRUARY 24, 1902 The guard opened the gate and Gladys entered. A prisoner with an ax came running toward her. The  man had already murdered two fellow prisoners. The officials had sent Gladys to face him because she’d testified that He protected her. … Continue reading →

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