Lee Roberson - Minister to The Common Man

Highland Park Baptist Church, Chattanooga, TN 37404-3102

posted by bk @ 8:05 PM

posted by bk @ 12:15 AM

Little things can block out bigger things...

click on the image above after reading the story below...

posted by bk @ 11:59 PM

Dr. Lee Roberson, home at last...

This man baptized over 60,000 believers in his lifetime. I was one of them. He had many sayings like most great men but one dealing with his leadership was, "Everything rises and falls on leadership." He served a church that would grow to 50,000 members [12,000 active]. He also formed a University that had 6,000 students in the 1970's. Dr. Roberson would drive himself and his wife to speaking engagements all over the country until just a few years ago. I wouldn't call him a close friend but I call him a friend nevertheless... Quite the man and an extraordinary Man of God... bill king

http://lee-roberson.blogspot.com [my own tribute to Dr. Roberson, Dr. Faulkner, Dr. Weigle]


Dr. Lee Roberson Memorial
Dr. Lee Roberson

Dr. Lee Roberson, age 97, former pastor of the Highland Park Baptist Church, Founder and Chancellor Emeritus of Tennessee Temple University and Man of God, passed into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ whom he had served faithfully since the age of fourteen, on Sunday, April 29, 2007.

Dr. Roberson was born November 24, 1909 on a farm near English, Indiana. He was led to the Lord at age fourteen by his Sunday School teacher, and he accepted the call to preach the 'Good News' of the Gospel at the age of eighteen.

He studied as vocal music at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and was a graduate of the University of Louisville and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. Beginning in 1932, Dr. Roberson served as a pastor and evangelist before accepting the pastorate of the Highland Park Baptist Church of Chattanooga in November of 1942. Tennessee Temple University was founded as a junior college and Bible school in July 1946. TTU is now an accredited four-year college, graduate school and seminary.

Dr. Lee Roberson was preceded in death by daughter Joy Caroline and wife, the former Caroline Allen. He is survived by son, John C. Roberson and wife Donna, daughter LeeAnne Nichols and husband Dr. L.W. 'Buddy' Nichols, daughter June Ormesher and husband Bill, eight grandchildren and by the countless thousands who accepted the new life of salvation under his ministry and the subsequent ministries of the thousands of men and women who he faithfully led, taught and encouraged at HPBC and TTU.

The family is asking that any memorial gifts be sent to the Lee Roberson Foundation, 2327 Red Tail Lane, Chattanooga, TN 37421 or online at www.LeeRoberson.org.

Dr.Roberson's favorite Scripture verse was Romans 8:28 - "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Dated August 1, 2006 at the age of 96, Dr. Roberson published what he called his farewell letter and final testimony "to give encouragement to pastors, evangelists, and full-time Christian workers."

"I believe the Bible! I believe in the promises of God regarding our future life! I believe 'to be absent from the body, to be present with the Lord.' I believe the future will hold some of the most glorious blessings that one could ever conceive. We will be present 'with the Lord.' The Apostle Paul said 'this is far better.' The future is bright! I know the Lord may come at any moment - He has promised 'I will come again.'

"Continue in His great work! Give attention to the winning of souls and exhort yourself to a close walk with God."

Dr. Lee Roberson, "absent from the body, present with the Lord,"
April 29, 2007.

posted by bk @ 6:26 PM

Dr. Lee Roberson Welcome Center - TTU

posted by bk @ 5:14 PM

Country Churches that Charlie Weigle Evangelized...

 
 

posted by bk @ 8:37 PM

Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Dr. Weigle, Dr. Roberson

posted by bk @ 1:48 PM

Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Dr. Weigle, Dr. Roberson

The Cincinnati Conservatory of Music is recognized both nationally and internationally as one of the leading conservatories of the performing arts and electronic media. CCM offers the benefit of a professional training conservatory within the setting of a comprehensive university. Our educational roots date back to 1867, and a solid, visionary instruction has been at our core since that time.

posted by bk @ 1:48 PM

Highland Park Baptist and TTU in Chattanooga TN

posted by bk @ 1:48 PM

Cedar Creek Baptist - Louisville KY - Lee Roberson

posted by bk @ 1:48 PM

Birthplace of Lee Roberson - English, Indiana

posted by bk @ 1:48 PM

Dr. Johnny Pope of Houston comments on Dr. Faulkner...

While waiting for your dream to come to pass, see if God will use you as an instrument to help someone else see their dream come to fruition. As I write this I am thinking of Dr. J.R. Faulkner, associate pastor for fifty years or so for Dr. Lee Roberson of Chattanooga, TN. J. R. Faulkner was a budding actor, ready to climb the highest pedestals of Hollywood when God arrested his heart and won him for service. Had he stayed in the Hollywood business, you could have easily seen him go into directing and producing. He had those gifts of administrating and leading. Yet how he humbled himself and as Dr. Roberson preached at home and abroad, Dr. Faulkner kept the home fires burning with innovative Sunday School planning and soul winning visitation efforts that helped build the largest congregation in the world.

posted by bk @ 1:48 PM

1870 Federal Census Charles Frederick Weigle...

This image from the 1870 Federal Census shows Charles Frederick Weigle of Lafayette Indiana was 8 years old at the time of the census, meaning he was born in 1862 not 1871 as previously thought. When he died at Tennessee Temple College in 1966 he was 104 years old and not 95.

posted by bk @ 1:48 PM

Lookout Mountain - Chattanooga TN - See 7 States

posted by bk @ 1:48 PM

Dr. Charles Frederick Weigle, hymnwriter, evangelist

posted by bk @ 1:48 PM

Dr. Charles F. Weigle, Baptist evangelist, noted hymn writer

posted by bk @ 9:25 PM

Dr. Charles Frederick Weigle, sold his songs for $1 each

Dr. Weigle was a Baptist evangelist and noted hymn writer. He entered Heaven's gates December 3, 1966 at age 95, from Chattanooga, Tennessee. The following is from “The Victorious Life: Sermons by Dr. Charles Weigle” --

On the banks of the Walbash River stands the prosperous Midwestern city of LaFayette, Indiana, county seat of Tippecanoe County, and hometown of Purdue University. When Purdue was a young, growing school just two years old, Charles Frederick Weigle was born, November 20, 1871, into the family of a God-fearing, German-Lutheran baker and his wife. The Weigle family was composed of twelve members, five boys and seven girls; it was a typical German family. As a boy, young Charles Weigle was accustomed to hearing his father pray; and Bible reading was observed at family worship every morning immediately following breakfast. Charles Weigle was converted at the age of twelve after being under conviction for quite some time. The Methodist Church of LaFayette was having a series of revival meetings in a little frame church where his parents attended. A great number of his friends and playmates came under conviction and were going forward during the progress of the meeting. This made an indelible impression upon young Charles Weigle, even though he resisted longer than most of the others. Then one night a strong overpowering realization that he was lost came over him. The testimony of his conversion is as follows:

"I was born and reared in a Christian home. Every member of our family attended church services and went to Sunday School. We had family worship in the home every morning. I suppose I was about as good as the average boy of my age. I had a bad temper, however; and by the time I was 12 years of age, I was fighting with my brothers and the neighbor boys. While having trouble with an older brother, I cut him with a knife very seriously. I knocked a neighbor boy down with a ball bat "because he didn't play to suit me." On another occasion, while ringing a heavy dinner bell in a political parade, a young fellow who did not like the crowd I was marching with ordered me to put down the bell; and I brought it down on top of his head, and they carried him home to recuperate. My parents punished me severely for these misdeeds and warned me to stop fighting lest I be arrested and sent to prison, but I paid little attention to them.

"There came a day when I was arrested for my misdeeds and taken to court. As I sat alone and saw the crowd in the room waiting to see what the judge would do with me, I realized the seriousness of the situation. It appeared as if I were doomed to go to prison, for I was guilty. When the judge came in and took his place behind the bench, he looked down at my shrinking form and said with a voice that sounded like the knell of doom to me, 'Young man, have you an attorney?' I said, 'No sir, I haven't got anybody.' He looked over the courtroom and then motioned to a handsome young man to come forward, and said to him, 'You will kindly act as his attorney.' That handsome young lawyer came and sat down beside me and took charge of my case. "One thing that brought a little hope to my heart was the attitude of my attorney. He sat close to me and spoke to me with a voice that was full of tender sympathy. I felt that he was my friend and that he cared for me and wanted to help me. When I told him of all the mean things I had been doing and for which I had been arrested, he assured me that he would help me. All I had to do was to tell the truth and leave the rest with him. That seemed to relieve my mind some what.

"After the trial began, however, and one witness after another testified against me, I began to lose hope. One of them said I knocked him down with a ball bat and almost killed him. My attorney said to me, 'Did you do that?' I said, 'Yes Sir'. The next witness accused me of having seriously injured him with a heavy dinner bell, and my attorney again said, 'Did you do that?' I said, 'Yes Sir'. My own brother came to witness against me, declaring that I had used a knife on him and had almost taken his life. My attorney turned to me and asked, 'Have you been guilty of all these acts?' and I said, 'Yes, Sir, and a lot of other things they don't even know about.' He tried to relieve my fears by saying, 'Trust me - I'll help you.' "Finally, the prosecuting attorney rose up and, speaking to the judge, said, 'Your Honor, according to the evidence brought by these witnesses, the defendant is guilty of all charges brought against him. He is a potential murderer and a menace to this community, and we ask that he be placed in prison for a long duration of time.' Then my heart sank within me and I said to myself, 'There is no hope for me.'

"When my attorney arose to speak in my defense, I wondered what He could do for me. Looking at the judge, he said, 'Father.' That one word brought hope for me. Looking at his father, the judge, he said, 'Father, the defendant pleads guilty to every charge brought against him. He asks for mercy; and as his attorney, I plead for him. I believe that if the court will grant my plea, this young man will live a new and a better life.' "I saw the judge rise to his feet as my attorney spoke. There was a look of love and kindness as he said, 'But my Son, the defendant is guilty. There is a penalty that must be paid, according to the law.'

"I'll take care of that and suffer the penalty,' said my attorney. And then, to my joy and amazement, the judge said, 'It is the decision of the court that, in response to the plea made by the attorney for the defendant, he be pardoned and set at liberty, with the understanding that he show by his manner of life a due respect for the law and a kindness toward his neighbors.' "I was free! My heart was filled with joy as I clasped the hand of my attorney and, with moist eyes, tried to express my gratitude. He placed his arms about me and, in a voice that sounded like the music of an angel's harp, he said, 'You and I will be friends forever. We'll be brothers; and whenever you need any help, you may come to me and I'll help you.' Since that day he has never forgotten me. We've been as close as brothers can be down through the years.

"Let me explain to you the fact that the courthouse where I had this wonderful experience was a little frame church during the progress of a revival, where the great truths of the Bible were being preached. One night, as I sat on a rear seat, the Holy Spirit, the High Sheriff of Heaven, arrested me and led me to the front in sight of all the people present. I was convicted and condemned, and confessed my guilt to Almighty God. There seemed no hope for me. My sins towered up before me. Then Jesus came and quieted my fears. He paid the penalty for all my sins and guilt. He pleaded my case in the high court of heaven and won my pardon. When this great truth dawned upon my mind, my heart was filled with gratitude and praise. There came a great love into my heart for my Saviour. That love has grown until He has the chief place in my life. Some day I expect to see Him face to face. That will be heaven for me. "We sing at times, 'What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear.' You will find this to be a reality when you put your trust in Him as your Saviour. He came into the world to save us from our sins and to bring peace and joy into our lives. He is the Friend you need."


NO ONE EVER CARED FOR ME LIKE JESUS
by Charles F. Weigle

I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true;
I would tell you how He changed my life completely,
He did something that no other friend could do.

All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me,
All my heart was full of misery and woe;
Jesus placed His strong and loving arms about me,
And He led me in the way I ought to go.

Ev'ry day He comes to me with new assurance,
More and more I understand His words of love;
But I'll never know just why He came to save me,
Till some day I see His blessed face above.

Chorus:
No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There's no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
Oh how much He cared for me.

posted by bk @ 9:25 PM

J. R. Faulkner, Preacher, Educator, Music Director

posted by bk @ 9:25 PM

J. R. Faulkner, Preacher, Educator, Music Director

J. R. FAULKNER
1914 - Present
Preacher - Educator - Music Director




J. R. Faulkner was born June 8, 1914, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He trusted the Lord as his personal Saviour on December 3, 1937.

In 1941, he enrolled at Bob Jones College, Cleveland, Tennessee. He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in Bible in 1946.

In 1943 he married Magdalene Amstutz. The Faulkners have five sons --- all graduates of Tennessee Temple University.

Dr. Lee Roberson, founder of Tennessee Temple University writes: "He was first a teacher at T.T.U., later vice president for 22 years; and in 1974 he became president. In the many years of my work, I have found no one to equal Dr. Faulkner in fruitfulness, purity of life, and dedication to the cause of Christ. As a multi-talented man, he performed every task with precision, enthusiasm, zeal, and spiritual power. As a songleader, artist, administrator, preacher or soulwinner, he worked with an unquestioned whole-heartedness. We continue to walk together in the work of our Saviour!!"

Faulkner served as pastor of South Rossville Baptist Church, Rossville, Georgia, from 1945 - 1949, when he accepted the Associate Pastor position at Highland Park Baptist Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Two colleges have honored J. R. Faulkner with honorary degrees. He received an honorary (L.L.D.) from Bob Jones University in 1954; Trinity Baptist College, Jacksonville, Florida, honored him with a (D.D.) in 1993.

J. R. Faulkner retired in 1990, then served as Interim Pastor of Highland Park Baptist Church until 1991.

Although now officially in retirement, as President Emeritus of Tennessee Temple University, Dr. Faulkner continues to lead an active life, representing the University and preaching in churches and Christian schools.


CITATION BY:
Mildred Eifert
(Dr. Faulkner's secretary for 42 years)
Tennessee Temple University
Chattanooga, Tennessee
1994

posted by bk @ 9:25 PM

Lee Roberson, 96 and still preaching...

posted by bk @ 2:40 PM

Dr. Lee Roberson Preaching, Reaching, Teaching...

Preaching in a Presbyterian Church
by Dr. Lee Roberson


On November 24, 1999, Dr. Lee Roberson, a giant of the faith, turned ninety years old. In 1942, Dr. Roberson became pastor of the Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. During his tenure as pastor, over 60,000 people were baptized (yes, that averages over 1,000 per year!) and Highland Park grew to become one of the largest churches in the world.

Dr. Roberson has blessed the hearts of so many over the years! Founder of Tennessee Temple University and Temple Baptist Seminary, Dr. Roberson has watched over the training of literally thousands of pastors, evangelists, and missionaries. He has preached around the world in great revival meetings and conferences. He "retired" in 1983 and yet continues to preach often, usually several times a month. His voice is still clear and strong and the wonderful power of the Holy Spirit still rests on his preaching.

Dr. Roberson has always had a tender heart for missions. For years, Highland Park Baptist Church has supported over 500 missionaries. Dr. Roberson also helped found the Baptist International Missions, Inc., one of the largest Baptist mission boards in America with missionaries in over 90 countries.

His road has not always been an easy one. In 1955, the Highland Park Baptist Church was a member of the Southern Baptist Convention. The church had about 12,000 members at the time. Dr. R. G. Lee, Dr. W. A. Criswell and others were frequently invited to the pulpit. The church and school were both red hot for Jesus and evangelism. It was then that some local denominational leaders issued a statement attacking Dr. Roberson and the school. Their main charge? That Highland Park's "financial contributions to the Cooperative Program are extremely small compared to their total Mission contributions." (The church gave $3,600 a year to the Cooperative Program - certainly not a small sum at the time). They also harped on the fact that Tennessee Temple Schools "does not cooperate with our Southern Baptist program." This despite the fact that the church supported 124 full time missionaries, and every teacher in the school belonged to a Southern Baptist Church!

[Note: Similar charges were made against Charles Stanley when he ran for SBC President in 1985. "Jerry Vines ... nominated Stanley ... saying the Georgian's church had given $600,000 to various mission causes during the past year.... Vines did not mention the low percentage going to the Cooperative Program." (Source: James C. Hefley, The Truth In Crisis, p.104 1986). But 30 years and some conservative organizing made all the difference. Stanley was elected on the first ballot with 52.18% of the vote. The truth is, by the time of Stanley's election many conservatives in the SBC supported non-Cooperative program schools and missionaries. An example is Dr. W. A. Criswell's school in Dallas. What a difference 30 years makes!]

Of course, back then, having your own schools, supporting your own missionaries, well, that was the unpardonable sin for some denominational overlords. And so Highland Park was shortly booted out of the local association.

Dr. Roberson's response? "We are busy winning souls. We don't have time to fight the brethren." (Source: The Sword of the Lord, March 11, 1955). And that is an indication of the measure of this man. Never return evil for evil.

Of course, Dr. Roberson remained friends with many in the Convention, and continued to invite Drs. Lee, Criswell, and others in to preach. The work continued, nay, flourished, unhindered by denominational politics and worries. He helped found the Southwide Baptist Fellowship in 1956, a loose association of independent Baptist churches (many of which had also been kicked out of their SBC associations). The Fellowship still meets annually and during their meetings you can hear some of the best preaching this side of glory.

BaptistFire, therefore, salutes this great warrior, this man of principle, this wonderful preacher and soul winner. Dr. Roberson is most often quoted as saying, "Everything rises and falls on leadership!" So we thank you, Dr. Roberson, for your great leadership to Christians and Baptists around the world!

BONUS LINKS

The Lee Roberson Home Page - pics, bios, RealAudio clips. A wonderful resource worthy of your time.
New! Check out this great biography of Dr. Roberson in the Baptist Bible Tribune.
Chattanooga Free Press: Dr. Lee Roberson at 90
Tennessee Temple University home page.
The history of Temple Baptist Seminary
A history of Dr. Roberson's founding of Tennessee Temple University.

SERMONS BY DR. ROBERSON

Stir Up The Gift of God - A must read for every preacher. "If we don’t stir up people, move people, we have failed. If you can preach Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night, and no one is stirred to go out and do what God says, you haven’t done much."

The Need of This Hour - Another one that should be read by every preacher.
Fireworks Don't Last
10 sermons on faith.
One Way Home
What Held Jesus To The Cross? - a wonderful, soul-winning sermon.
Does Jesus Live At Your House?
Keep On Rejoicing

posted by bk @ 2:35 PM