There are times in human history when God puts His hand on a man in an unusual way. While it is true that all who know Christ as Saviour are God's children and equal in God's sight, there are some who become God's choicest vessels. Moses was one of these men, as were Samuel, Isaiah, John the Baptist, and the Apostle Paul. There are many whom God used, but some are especially noted in Scripture.

In the same way, though God uses many of His people today, some are especially noted in modern history. Immediately, I think of people like D.L. Moody, R.A. Torrey, J. Wilber Chapman, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Billy Sunday, R.G. Lee, John R. Rice, Lester Roloff, and Bob Jones, Sr. These great men were used greatly of God, and now another joins their ranks in the glories of Heaven. On Tuesday, February 6, 2001, Jack Frasure Hyles graduated to Glory and now walks the streets of gold along with these other men whom God has greatly used.

W. Robertson Nicoll said of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, "...his was a ministry unparalleled in the history of the Christian church. No one but Mr. Spurgeon has steadily preached for forty years and three times a week to such audiences as he commanded. There were hundreds of thousands who owed him their souls." Mr. Nicoll, God raised up another one surpassing these very qualifications. Jack Hyles preached from the pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana, faithfully, week after week, for more than 41 years. Dr. John Rice said, "It is doubtful if any man who ever lived would be a serious competitor to Spurgeon for the title of 'The Greatest Preacher Since Paul.'" It is my belief that Jack Hyles is that serious competitor.

What can be said about such a man as Jack Hyles? To speak of him nationally, I cannot, for I did not know him nationally. To speak of him personally, is difficult to do even though I knew him personally. Though I grew up in a Bible-preaching, independent, Baptist church, I did not come to know Jack Hyles until August of 1974. I had heard of him but had never heard him. Then I heard him preach "O Earth, Earth, Earth, Hear the Word of the Lord" at the great Sword of the Lord Convention held in Indianapolis in 1974. I had graduated from high school and was on my way to Bible college that September. I did not attend Hyles-Anderson College that first semester, and my pastor told me that while I was in college, I was to attend the First Baptist Church of Rosemount, Minnesota. When I asked him why, he simply said I needed to do it. So, I did.

That fall, John Rice, Curtis Hutson, Bill Harvey, and Jack Hyles all came to Rosemount for a Sword of the Lord conference. In that meeting, my Christian life was transformed. Needless to say, I transferred to Hyles-Anderson College in January, 1975. Besides my salvation, this was the single greatest Christian decision I ever made. I did not know how badly I needed the influence of Jack Hyles in my life. As I look back, I'm thankful for the privilege of being taught by him.

Brother Hyles was not untouchable, and he chose to be my friend. He chose to pray for me and to remember me and my ministry on purpose. He always greeted me with a handshake and called me by my first name. Over and over again, he put it in writing that he was my friend and that he knew that I was his friend. Time and again, he said he loved me and thanked God for my love for him. Outside of my own father, Brother Hyles was the greatest man I knew. I learned from Brother Hyles' example what it meant to be a good Christian. He always said he wasn't a good Christian, but I always knew better. I've never known a man who prayed like he prayed, wept like he wept, or preached like he preached. He always pointed me to Jesus and never to himself. I have found that those, who judge him differently, simply do not know him.

What can be said about Jack Hyles? He taught me that the First Baptist Church of Hammond was not built on his personality or on the fire which came from his pulpit. It was built by the power of God and the compassion God gave him for the work God called him to do. I've watched him weep through a powerful sermon. I remember years ago, in particular, during a Pastors' School session for assistant pastors when Brother Hyles addressed those of us who were "second men." The session was held in the chapel just outside the main auditorium of the First Baptist Church. I sat in what Brother Hyles called the "peanut gallery." While teaching us, he made us laugh, but I looked a little closer and saw what only those in the peanut gallery could see. Tears continually streamed from his eyes throughout the entire session thoroughly soaking his tie, shirt, and suit jacket. He taught us, by example, the great importance of compassion.

There is so much I could write, but I don't know what to write next. To know Brother Hyles, has been one of the greatest privileges in my Christian life. I do not know a greater Christian, nor do I know a better example. He sacrificed so much personally so that someone like me could have a chance to learn from him. For this, I am eternally indebted. I'm glad I told him while he was living that I loved him, admired him, and appreciated him. In my relationship with him, I don't believe I have any regrets, for I savored every moment God privileged me to be under his influence. Years ago, he signed a picture for me with these words, "God bless my dear friend, Dan," and signed it with his name. Well, God did bless me with Brother Hyles' friendship.

Thank you, Brother Hyles, for being my friend. May I become what you taught me to be.

"A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away." - An Arabian Proverb

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