1996 Ted Holley

Ted Holley is one of the most transparent, genuine, caring men in ministry.  We are much alike in our passion for people to get it right rather than for many to get it halfway.  Ted is happy about helping other churches and Christians in ministry without denying his first call which is to "shepherd the flock that was given to him to serve."  Ted can always be found - even in the midst of personal trials - helping others.  He is not flawless but he is sincere, does what he can, does what he says and consistently invests in others.

He cut his ministry teeth working PR and organization for the Billy Graham Organization and can tell you many happy memories.  He was a radio DJ and, when combined with his intellect, passion and gift for words, his tremendous speaking voice can influence the masses.  He is the master of laughter and silly "old man" jokes.  He is able to laugh at himself and at others with equal flair.  He has been a tremendous pastor and teacher for years.

Ted's heart for evangelism led him to get involved in a three year project that changed one man's life forever.   Ted, along with an Evagelistic Association, began to help 100 local churches partner together to help a third world country reach their people for Christ through training pastors, builiding churches, supporting missionaries and sending teachers and evangelists.  The task was huge and required many volunteers and many donations.  Leader after leader got involved in this effort and it continued to grow as hundreds and hundreds of volunteers poured into this country and sent resources in.

There was a man who "knew everything" at times.  He was much younger than Ted and those who were leading.  He was passionate and an evangelist but he could not understand foreign mission trips.  With only a few years in the ministry, he had said many times, "I don't understand why we spend all this money sending all these people overseas to preach, build and help - wouldn't it be more effective to simply send the money."  He was a former businessman and understood economics.  There were many who would agree with him as well.  "It just seems such a waste to spend more on airfare than on materials - I mean maybe if it was a specialty but they could use that money to hire a builder in country."

He saw a flyer one day on a simple peice of blue paper.  Printed in black and white it invited anyone who wanted to go to this third world country to participate as a preaching evangelist and door to door sharing of the Gospel.  Before the young man could huff and file the flyer in the trash, he felt an odd sense to keep it.  That paper nearly burned a hole in that young man's pocket until finally he showed up in his pastor's office.

"I have forever thought that raising a bunch of money and sending missionaries overseas is wasteful.  I mean it would seem better to send the money and hire local pastors and builders...but, I am certain that God wants me to go on this trip.  I can't shake it."

That was some ten years ago and that young man now leads hundreds of people into the short term mission field.  He wanted to kiss the tarmac when he returned home from that first trip but equally, his heart was destroyed for the loss and lostness of others.  There were few trained to teach, preach and share and there were not enough of them to get the work done.  In humility, he saw the effect of his arrival to encourage others that someone out there cared about their trials, troubles and lives.  It was almost as if the Christians said, "Wow!  There are other believers around the world that care for us!  They have come to help us!" and the lost said, "Who would make such a sacrifice to share with me?"  Hundreds were led to Christ on that first trip with simple tools and messages. 

His life was forever changed in those early days by that one trip.  He saw the need to send people until there were enough strong people to carry the work.  He saw that if you have and you do not give to the need of another believer "the love of God does not rest in you." He saw the value of people like him seeing the mess that others were in.  He saw how everyone who went came back with an increased passion for Christ, a heart to share with their country and the ability to cut back on materialism, find freedom and give to help others spread the message of Jesus Christ.  He saw that there were wonderful people around the world who did not desire a handout but a hand.  He began to understand that raising funds was simple when he shared what he had learned.

I became a messenger and a missionary on that trip to Nicaragua.  My life, nor the life of my church, has never been the same.  Thank the Lord for men like Ted who help others plan, organize and champion evangelism and missions around the world.  It is awesome that Ted cared enough to help cement that partnership with Nicaragua and to lead leaders to reach the world.  Perhaps we will know one day who made that simple blue flyer but they would never have needed to create it without a Ted.