The Loss of a Mentor, Honoring pastor Gayle Erwin

Gayle in 2014 at my 60th birthday gathering.

Gayle Erwin was one of a kind. It was the summer of 1988 when I first met Gayle when taking Mission Classes. His topic was that of his most read book, Jesus Style. His approach to the character of Christ along with Gayles animated and humorous story telling touched me as no other teacher I heard.

“You can’t aford my book”, was his response to my requesting to buy a copy, followed by his light hearted chuckle. He then proceeded to write a personal note in the paperback and handed it to me. I still have ownership of that book and have been a promotor and communicator of its message ever since.

In returning from the mission field in 1991 I reunited with Gayle at a mission conference. He so quickly recognized and acknowledged me and welcomed me into conversation. We would soon be planning several short trips together back to Japan, where I had been serving, to present the Jesus Style to Japanese Christians. Japanese is one of the languages the book was eventually translated into. The first trip was a very memorable one with worship leader Duane Clark. Duane and I arrived at Narita Airport. Gayle had been waiting outside of customs for us. As soon as we came through the doors Gayle shouts out, “Well here comes ugly incorporated.” I responded, ‘And you are the CEO.” He let out a deep laugh and gave us both a big hug. This began a running and private joke that was recalled every reunion as well as with gag gifts I shared with him.

What a storyteller and not just in his teachings but all the time. I would walk up to Gayle at a pastor’s conference and within minutes he was sharing a story. One of my favorites is when he interviewed Johnny Cash. Others included his pastoring in the south, his days as a Christian magazine publisher and the start of his traveling ministry teaching on the character and nature of Jesus. His style of teaching impacted me and influenced my teaching.

He was a regular guest teacher at my fellowship on Sundays, special events, and every year at our Discipleship School. When I asked if he was willing to teach at our school with a small class of 15 people he responded, “Well sure, I like to see the whites off their eyes when I teach.” His last time was live online during the 2020 pandemic. The following years we kept in touch as his health diminished. We visited just over a year ago and it was one of the most intimate and memorable of story times. I will forever be grateful to the Lord for allowing me to have Gayle in my life.

Gayle went home to Jesus Wednesday April 15, 2025. My Condolence to his family. But also I do celebrate his entry onto the Father’s presence. We will reunite again and oh what stories he will have to share.

In Loving Memory

pastor Bob

To hear his teachings and watch his video or even purchase his books go to https://gayleerwin.com.

The Black National Anthem, is it worthy of controversy?

This hymn, yes hymn, has drawn a lot of controversy and criticism for being sung in place of our country's national anthem at sporting events. So I took a little time looking into its history and the lyrics of the song and found the lyrics are, themselves, are without controversy, unless you don't want attention brought to God who brings liberty and freedom to all who trust in him. It's attention on God is so evident that it could be sung by, every believer, of every color, of every race, of every nation, for we all need liberty and freedom from sin for which Christ, God's son, was sent and died for.

The identification as the Black National Anthem came by the NAACP in 1919. But it was not so named by the the man who wrote it 19 years previously. Written by the James Weldon Johnson, music by his brother J. Rosamond Johnson, and actually titled the hymn, "Lift Every Voice and Sing”. It was written for a special occasion. That occasion was for the birthday anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln in 1900, 5 years after his assassination. So not only does it revere God but also the president that was instrumental in the emancipation of slaves.

(Side note: James Weldon Johnson became treasurer of the Colored Republican Club in 1904 and became its president the following year.)

According to Hymnary.corg, it was a hymn which is the reason for the lyrics of faith and commitment to God. So hear are the lyrics of "Lift Every Voice and Sing,"

Lift ev’ry voice and sing, ’Til earth and heaven ring,

Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;

Let our rejoicing rise High as the list’ning skies,

Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,

Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,

Let us march on ’til victory is won.

Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod,

Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;

Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet

Come to the place for which our fathers died.

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,

We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,

Out from the gloomy past, ’Til now we stand at last

Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,

Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;

Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light,

Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,

Lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;

Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand,

True to our God, True to our native land.

So here is my view on sporting events. NFL has the freedom to sing or not have sung any song it wants to before a game. They could have chosen any number of offensive and disrespectful songs, but this is not one of them. What better to sing then lyrics as, "May we forever stand, True to our God, True to our native land." It is more of an Anthem of the Redeemed.

Blessings

pBob