Spiritual Emphasis Week

This week is called Spiritual Emphasis Week.  The guest speaker, Dr. Farmer, speaks in the morning and evening each day.  I have been able to go to the morning sessions.  Above is his picture and below is his bio.  We have been blessed to have him here.  I told someone earlier today, I really like his messages, but I think I like the fact that he is here even more.  I’m pretty sure we paid for him to come, actually, I have no idea.  But, it is nice that someone as “busy” as he seems would venture all the way over here to speak to our small community.  I am thankful for his investment in us…and look forward to the rest of his sermon series.

 

Biography:  Richard Allen Farmer, born in New York City and having lived
there most of his life, now resides in Dallas, Texas with his wife
Rosemary and son, Timothy.

Dr. Farmer began piano studies in NYC at age 11 and became a person of
faith at age 12. As his faith and musicianship grew, they were blended.
Farmer now uses his music as a vehicle for inspiring, motivating,
challenging and entertaining diverse audiences around the world.

A graduate of Nyack College where he earned the Bachelor of Music degree
(1975) and Princeton Theological Seminary where he earned the Master of
Divinity degree (1980), The Reverend Farmer has been awarded the
honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by Gordon College in 1986 and the
honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology degree by Houghton College in 1999.

An experienced pastor and college chaplain, Dr. Farmer has served as
Senior Pastor of the Bethany Baptist Church in Pittsburgh (1980-1988)
and as Dean of the Chapel at both Gordon College (1988-1992) and Taylor
University (1999-2002).

On the lighter side, Dr. Farmer is an animal lover, having owned six
monkeys, a chimpanzee, a ferret, and a colony of 26 hamsters. He is also
a certified scuba diver, a motorcyclist, a Segway rider and an
instrument-rated airplane pilot.

Very much committed to being a global person, Dr. Farmer has spoken,
lectured or given concerts in England, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan,
Thailand, Australia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Peru, Chile, Cote d'
lvoire, Kenya, Canada, the Philippines and most states of the United
States. Mr. Farmer has spoken to thousands of people in conference,
campus and religious settings. Last year more than 100 different groups
benefitted from Farmer's wit, wisdom and musical gifts.