Foreward

By Dr. Tim LaHaye
Author of the Left Behind Series

Someone asked my friend Dick Vigneulle how it felt to know God used him to bring thousands to Christ—not just in Alabama—but all over the world.  Without a blink, he answered, “It’s very humbling.  I’ve never forgotten who I am—just a sinner saved by grace.”

Few attain the upper echelon of business success, let alone walk away from it to become a pastor, but that is just what Dick Vigneulle did.

Dick Vigneulle is the founder of a great church, Shades Mountain Independent Church in Birmingham, Alabama.  He is the founder of a great school, Shades Mountain Christian Schools, a ministry of SMI.  He is the founder of a great missionary organization, World Reach, Inc.

I regard him as one of the South’s leading pastors of his era including his stand for family values—his influence reaching all the way from Alabama’s State Capitol to Washington, D.C.

Dick and I have been friends for many years, first crossing paths in ministry travels and later sharing in ministry after his invitations for me, along with my wife Beverly, then President of Concerned Women for America, to speak at SMI.  A special season of ministry came in 1988 when Dick invited me to preach a thirteen-week series on Sunday nights at his church.  I had continuing preaching duties in Texas that carried me from my then home and headquarters in Washington, D.C., on a weekly basis.  At Dick’s urging, I made Sunday night stopovers in Birmingham.  Those visits connected me to the dynamic SMI congregation and the great-hearted man who founded the ministry.

As a pro-life leader and outspoken pastor for family values and responsible government, Dick led Moral Majority of Alabama in the 1980’s.  I was so impressed with his stand that I invited him to serve as the Director for the Birmingham area of my American Coalition for Traditional Values.  He served with distinction.

This successful banker and distinguished pastor has led multitudes to Christ—he is a great soul-winner and missions statesman.  In the world of finance and later for the kingdom of God, he mentored men and women to succeed as leaders.  This book contains the lessons he taught.  I feel this book—the inspiring story of Dick Vigneulle’s amazing life and ministry—is a must-read for Christians, but especially for those who are leaders in God’s work, and for those who have holy aspirations to make a difference in their generation.

One of the evidences of Dick and Peggy’s Christian lives is the great Christian family they have raised.

Beverly and I regard Dick and Peggy Vigneulle as dear friends whom we want others to meet and be inspired as we were.  This book will give the reader just that opportunity!

— TIM LAHAYE

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