Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina
Dear Friend,
I am writing this letter from the campus of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. It is my humble privilege to have been invited to deliver the 2025 Adams Lecture Series on preaching. Being in the company of the seminary’s faculty and the students they’re preparing for pastoral ministry provides a strong reminder of the immense privilege and responsibility of being called by God to shepherd the people of God.
Last evening, when addressing the preaching of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, I was struck again by the mighty struggle that faced Lloyd-Jones when he sensed the call of God to step away from his medical practice to take on the pastorate of what was little more than a mission hall in Port Talbot, South Wales. There was no earthly reason why this young doctor and his wife-to-be (also a doctor) would leave the security and prestige of St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London for such a daunting prospect.
The church secretary, who is to be commended for his honesty, informed Lloyd-Jones of the nature of the district to which he was going, describing it as a community of “at least 5000 men, women and children living for the most part in sordid and overcrowded conditions …. Almost 90 per cent of these people do not attend any place of worship, for there is a gross indifference amongst the respectable working class type, whilst a depravity born of sin enmeshes the great majority. The bookie, publican and prostitute prosper here and directly challenge us.”
Writing to his future brother-in-law, Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “Nothing can or will prevent my going about to tell people of ‘the good news.’”
Lloyd-Jones was arguably the greatest preacher in England in the twentieth century. He was born in 1899, just seven years after the death of Spurgeon, who, in preparing young men for ministry, did not hide from them the challenges awaiting them. “Brothers,” Spurgeon wrote, “our work is solemnly momentous, involving good or ill to thousands; we deal with souls for God on eternal business.” In light of the challenge, he urged his congregation to pray for him and his fellow ministers because, he said, “we are miserable men if we miss the help of your prayers.” His message was “May God help me, if you cease to pray for me! Let me know the day, and I must cease to preach. Let me know when you intend to cease your prayers, and I shall cry, ‘O my God, give me this day my tomb, and let me slumber in the dust.’”
I know that some of you have encouraged your pastor to be present this month for Basics 2025. As we gather, we will be upheld by your prayers for God to pour out the riches of His grace and encourage us to be sober-minded, to be prepared to endure suffering, to do the work of evangelism, and to discharge all the duties of our ministry.
With my love in the Lord Jesus,
Alistair
