Dr. Adrian Rogers – 1931-2005

Several months ago I went to a funeral for Michael Norwood’s grandmother. It was definitely a “home going” and not somber or depressing. The preacher kept saying throughout his message a phrase that has stuck with me – “Another soldier’s gone home.” And everyone would shout or say amen or respond in some way.

I kept thinking about that phrase last night during an incredible memorial service for Dr. Adrian Rogers. He was Senior Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church here in Memphis for 32 years. I was blown away at the service. I told Leslie if I had never heard of him or Bellevue and just showed up at that service I would have walked away knowing that he was a great man. Of course, I did know who he was and had incredible respect for him and for Bellevue Baptist Church, so walking away I was really blown away. The two highlights of the service to me were hearing from two different men who had been friends with him for over 50 years! Wow. They loved him and he was a true friend – real, genuine, etc. And the second was hearing his daughter and son. When his daughter spoke there was not a dry eye in the place. I kept envisioning my own daughter, Anna, some day standing up at my funeral. What would she say? Would she be able to say like Adrian Rogers’ daughter said, “My Dad was my hero.” She said he was normal, real, fun, positive and many other things. She also said, “Take all the good you’ve heard here tonight and multiply it times one hundred and that’s the real story of my Dad.” Almost everyone talked about a few of his hallmark qualities – he was somehow able to balance life well between ministry, family (he loved his wife Joyce and talked about her all the time), and friends; he was incredibly positive and optimistic; he talked about Jesus in his sermons more than any other preacher they could think of, and he was a man of conviction who stood for what he believed was right. They also showed a powerful video that I’m trying to get a copy of to show in church. It was awesome. I’ve been teaching on significance throughout the fall and I honestly felt as I sat in the service tonight that Dr. Rogers life was the epitome of significance.

My friend, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke called and said he was coming in for the funeral and wanted to attend with me. He had only met Dr. Rogers a few times, but felt he should come and pay his respects. We were able to sit near the front (great job Michael – you are the man for the moment) and we had an awesome dinner together after the service. It was another powerful day for me.