Vance Havner was born October 17, 1901, in the Western North Carolina locality of Jugtown. His academic experience began at Hog Hill, Jugtown's schoolhouse. Later, he attended schools such as South Fork Institution, and Boiling Springs High School, which later became Garner-Webb College. He also attended Catawba College, Wake Forest University, and Moody Bible Institute.
Even though he had exposure to a variety of educational experiences, Vance Havner was largely a self-taught individual. His love of God and knowledge of scripture was manifest at a very young age, and as a child he frequently drew pictures of Bible stories that were accompanied by his own handwritten commentary. Reflecting back on his call to ministry, Dr. Havner once said, "I've never known a time when I didn't want to preach. The desire was always there."
Haver's reputation grew as he traveled and spoke in increasingly larger circles. His influence extended to a national level, but Dr. Havner's approach was always to minister where God directed, regardless of the size of the church. His appeal and influence transcended denominational lines, and he spoke to many different groups of people.
In addition to preaching in many of America's most influential churches, Dr. Havner was a highly sought speaker for conferences at places such as Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. He frequently spoke at both state and national meetings of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Havner delivered chapel messages and baccalaureate sermons at colleges such as the Citadel, Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University), Liberty University, Southeastern Baptist Seminary, and Garner-Webb College.
While speaking at Florida Bible Institute in 1939, Vance Havner met Sara Allred, whom he married in 1940. She was a dedicated Christian, and faithful helper with her husband's ministry. For thirty-three years, Dr. and Mrs. Havner traveled to many meetings together, and their labor yielded much fruit. Thousands of people made decisions for Christ in revivals and evangelistic services where Vance Havner preached. After Mrs. Havner's death in 1973, Vance Havner wrote Though I Walk Through the Valley, a book which has been a great comfort to many grieving persons. Dr. Havner lovingly wrote of Sara's "innumerable ministries as wife, homemaker, and companion."
Dr. Havner's perception and communication skill is evidenced in quotes such as the following:
"We are the salt of the earth, mind you, not the sugar. Our ministry is to truly cleanse and not just to change the taste."
"Too many churches start at eleven o'clock sharp, and end at twelve o'clock dull."
"Plenty of church members are shaky about what they believe, while not many are shaken by what they believe."
"Some preachers ought to put more fire into their sermons, or more sermons into the fire."
"The church is a hospital for sinners, and not a museum for saints."
During the 1950's, Vance Havner was asked his opinion about the Hollywood movies coming out that were based on Biblical themes. Havner noted the irony of Hollywood putting the Bible on film: "I'd just as soon hear a gangster lecture on honesty," he observed. When asked about the duties of a minister, Havner once said, "The preacher is to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable."
Throughout his ministry, Vance Havner lived and preached that a Christian should should exhibit faithfulness to Jesus in all areas of life. He taught that the Christian should attend to, "the outliving of the inliving Christ." Havner wrote, "To some, Christianity is an argument. To many, it is a performance. To a few, it is an experience."
For over 70 years, the church was blessed and challenged by the ministry of Vance Havner. For the past 29 years, the church has been strengthened by the scholarship ministry which bears Dr. Havner's name. The Vance H. Havner Scholarship Fund Inc., and the students who receive scholarships, all share Dr. Havner's high standards of sound doctrine and loyalty to the local church. Through the scholarship fund, dedicated laborers are prepared for the work and sent out, intent on fulfilling Christ's Great Commission.
Source: http://www.vancehavner.org/Biography.html
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Vance Havner Wolves and Sheep (Full Length)by HebrewsTwelve22830 views
great message thanks for sharing.
SoldierforChrist4You 1 year ago