Another One of My Heroes With the Lord

When they arrive at the gates of death,  God welcomes those who love him. Psalm 116:15

Another one of the spiritual giants in my life went home to be with the Lord last week. Dr. Gilbert A. Peterson was a man who I greatly admired and respected.

I first met Doc when I was a student at Philadelphia College of Bible when it was located in Center City, Philadelphia. He was the Academic Dean and was a figure big than life my eyes – not just in physical stature, but in the way he carried himself and served in his role.

I don’t remember the specifics, but there was a very challenging situation taking place on campus. Doc handled it with grace and firmness and I have seen many of my fellow students post on his page how they all remembered that time in our lives.

Doc could be perceived as intimidating at times. But he really wasn’t. He had a big heart and loved his students. He was never too busy to ask “How are you doing?” or “What’s God been showing you from His Word?”

He eventually became the President of Lancaster Bible College. Under his leadership the school expanded and grew and he laid a strong foundation for Dr. Peter Teague, who has taken the college to the next level of excellence.

Dr. Peterson’s wife, Delores, has battled MS for many years. Throughout this long, arduous journey, I have watched this giant of the faith lovingly care for his bride. He has modeled for many of us how to be a strong, but humble man under pressure.

So many of my heroes are transitioning to glory. They have given you and me a huge legacy. Now we are responsible to pick up the torch and run with it.

O may all who come behind us find us faithful;
May the fire of our devotion light their way.
May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe,
And the lives we live inspire them to obey.
O may all who come behind us find them faithful.  Jon Morh Birdwind Music

Going the distance with Jesus,

Bill Welte
President/CEO America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Judges 16-18

Think About This: The life of faith is not a life of one glorious mountaintop experience after another, like soaring on eagles wings, but is the life of day in and day out consistency, the life of walking without fainting. Isaiah 40:31 Oswald Chambers

Verses to Memorize: Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 (New Living Translation)