"Ninety-eight years old tomorrow?" I asked incredulously.
I had just finished speaking at the morning community service in Chrisman, Ill., pop. 1,200. The churches in town had rallied together for combined worship in the town square. I had stepped into the crowd to connect with the people there.
"That's right, I'll be 98 years old tomorrow," the man said. He looked much stronger than his voice sounded.
"What did you do for work?" I asked.
"I was in the ministry for 72 years," he said. His name was Rev. George H.D. Reader. "That's why you can barely hear me," he continued. "Over the years, I preached so much that I preached my voice out."
I don't know exactly what happened in my heart at that moment other than to say that it was like an electrical shock ran through my body. God got my attention. Here was the man that I hope to be some day  a man who faithfully preached God's Word until his voice finally gave out.
I asked curiously, "Were you married?"
He said, "I was married to the best minister's wife in the world. We were married and did ministry together for 70 years." He looked away from me for a moment and continued, "She has been in Heaven now for the last four years." He looked to his right and left and said, "Two of my sons are with me today."
It began to dawn on me that I was in the presence of a man I want to be like with all my heart. I was not about to lose that opportunity. So I went into sponge/learner mode as fast as I could  determined not to lose the chance to sit at the feet of this experienced, godly man. "What advice would you give to a young preacher like me?" I asked sincerely.
Without a second of hesitation, he said, "Preach the Word! That is exactly what I tried to do my whole life. So I say preach the Word!"
I've read this exhortation in Scripture many, many times. Even at my official commissioning and licensing for the ministry, the same words were said. And they were meaningful to me then. But somehow, coming from this gentle senior saint, it felt more real.
Thinking back to a conversation I had with a very discouraged ministry friend last week, and knowing that the number one reason many leave vocational ministry is because of discouragement, I asked the older man, "Were you ever deeply discouraged during your 72 years of ministry?"
"Yes, I was discouraged from time to time. But it was God's Word that kept me going. I knew God wanted me to preach his Word since I was 14. I preached my first sermon when I was 17. Throughout my life, God's Word has sustained me  even during the discouraging times."
Again, I've heard this, knew this, and even said similar things. But somehow, because of his years of experience walking with God, his authentic words drilled deep into my heart.
But other people from the community began to approach our small circle and engage me in conversation. And I watched out of the corner of my eye as this man and his two sons slowly walked away. My heart began to race. I was filled with urgency. I MUST ASK THIS MAN TO PRAY FOR ME!
The man and his sons were about 25 yards away from me when I suddenly ran to them. I did not mean to be rude to the people who had gathered around me, but I HAD to do this. When I caught up with them, I said from behind them, "Sir, will you please put your hands on me and pray for me?" I could not believe those words came out of my mouth. But I felt COMPELLED to have this man pray for me.
He turned around to look me right in the eyes. His eyes widened and he immediately placed his hands on my shoulders and, in that sweet, raspy and worn out voice prayed the most beautiful quiet prayer of blessing I have ever heard.
He prayed that I would flourish in my relationship with God, my wife and my kids. He prayed I would be faithful to preach the Word. He prayed God would bless me and my ministry beyond all I could ever ask or think  for God's glory.
As he prayed I quietly began to weep. I was thinking two things: 1) This must be what it was like to receive the blessing of a patriarch in the Old Testament, and 2) Am I nuts? Am I starting to unravel emotionally here? The answer to this last question: yes. But as crazy as this whole deal was, I KNEW God was in it and I am glad I listened to the Spirit's voice and promptings.
When he pronounced the "amen," his two sons and I looked up and I could see one was weeping like I was and the other was also glassy-eyed. I made eye contact with the man of God and as I went to say "thank you" I could not get the words out because a flood of new tears came. I finally regained my composure, shook the man's hand in gratitude, and watched him walk away.
Frankly, God did something so deep in my heart in this brief encounter with this senior saint that I am still processing it. But it was deep and it was God and I will never forget it. As is often the case, I went to minister, but ended up getting ministered to.
Bill Allison is the founder and director of Cadre International, a speaking and training ministry for volunteer church leaders, teachers, and youth workers.
