When I was attending Christian Training Center in 1972/73, one of the instructors was an old (his upper 70s) country preacher named Guy Walsh. Guy was an old-fashioned Pentecostal preacher who traveled around starting tent churches in small rural communities in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. He was as hillbilly as they come. He would sing with his guitar way out of tune, and always had humorous and unique ways of wording things.

He was fun to listen to, but I came to that school with very serious intentions of systematic learning. There was no system with Guy Walsh teaching. No outlines, no plan, just off the cuff. I hated his classes. I saw it as a waste of my time and money.

After the summer break, I went back for the 1973-74 school year and he was back again. But, for some strange reason, I liked him now. I really began getting something great out of his ramblings. I still refer to some of the jumbled notes I took. What had changed? It was me. Over that summer break God had apparently done some developing in my heart. I began to appreciate the wealth of practical knowledge he brought.

Guy Walsh may not have been the most interesting teacher, but he was one of the most inspiring preachers to lay a foundation in my life.

Have you ever seen God change your heart toward someone? Share that story in your comment.