Keith Parker is my kind of preacher, and he is living my dream. I met Keith about a month ago. He was visiting Mark Bryson one of our ministers, and Mark asked him to preach for us that Sunday morning. Well, let me say it again, Keith is my kind of preacher. His message was simple, direct, and it carried a massive impact. He had energy, and conviction, and he didn’t preach to make us feel good, he preached to gain commitment.

Keith was the pulpit minister for the church of Christ in Hendersonville, Tennessee for fifteen years. He recently resigned his position there and now preaches all over the country. He preaches at gospel meetings, and retreats. Keith is living and doing what I am striving to do. Three years ago I asked God to show me what He wanted me to do for Him, and in a number of different ways I believe He has opened the door for me to preach just like Keith is doing. I don’t mean I should copy Keith’s style, I mean I should preach and teach wherever and whenever I get the chance. My book Everyday Christianity was one of my first steps in that direction. It is giving me the exposure necessary to allow people to know who I am. My pen name, Grumpy was chosen because it’s memorable, and it promotes interest. My blog has become a great tool for me, and I receive comments regularly from people I have never met before. And finally, I had no idea how important something like FaceBook would be in getting my name out to people.

I talked to Keith on the phone this past Tuesday evening, and asked him for some advice on how to grow my ministry. I had given him a copy of my book when I met him. He had not read it yet, but during our conversation he said he could hear my passion. I asked him to go to my site; http://www.grumpysmith.com/ where he could listen to a lesson I had given at McDermott Road in August of 08, and then let me know what he thought of it. Below is a copy of his comments to me.

Kent, 

I listened to your lesson this morning – Thursday.  It was a delight – devotion/emotion.  You’re a very encouraging, entertaining speaker.  God has given you a gift and I know it’s your passion to use it. 

1.  Keep praying.

2.  Keep asking for opportunities.

3.  Keep having conversations with other ministers like you’ve done with me.

4.  Be open to regular appointments of area churches. 

I’m proud of you. 

Keith Parker

I want to thank Keith for his willingness to help me, and I would like to ask you to help too. If you have read my book, read my blog, or heard me preach or teach, and you were touched by my message. If you believe God has given me the gift of teaching, preaching, and writing, I am asking that you pray for my ministry, and tell others about me. Help me find opportunities to preach, and speak. Talk to your church leaders about inviting me to come and share with your congregation. If even one chapter of Everyday Christianity touched you, please tell others about the book and encourage them to read it. If you are active on FaceBook please mention Everyday Christianity, my blog, and me to all of your friends. With your help, and the amazing strength of FaceBook, and the Internet, we can literally tell thousands of people about Everyday Christianity, and Kent “Grumpy” Smith.

Thank you and have a great weekend.

Till next time,

Grump

For your copy of Everyday Christianity go to, http://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Christianity-Grumpy-Smith/, or http://www.grumpysmith.com/ or go to your local Mardel, or Family Christian