Every day I receive phone calls and email from my students of the Preaching With Power course. Most ask questions concerning their sermon preparation. But one asked a different kind of question. He asked me who was the most influential preacher in my life. We were discussing preaching style and methods and they really wanted to know which preacher influenced my style the most. My answer was Guy Futrell. Rev. Futrell was the pastor of the West Hialeah Baptist Church when I was a kid. I remember him to be a compassionate preacher who was sincere in his desire to see people come to Christ. He was the pastor who presented the Gospel to me simply enough for me to understand and accept Christ as my Savior. That alone should make him the most influential pastor in my life. However, he was influential as a model for my preaching in one important way. Brother Futrell always gave powerful, compassionate invitations at the end of his sermons. I remember thinking, even as a child, that this man means business for the Lord. So I modeled my invitations after his.

Another powerful influence was his way of making children feel important. I was about 7 or 8 when Rev. Futrell came to pastor the church I occasionally attended. In those days children didn't expect any special attention. In fact we were to be seen and not heard. But brother Futrell always made me feel like I was somebody. I remember him meeting me on the sidewalk of the church, stooping down on one knee, and shaking my hand saying, "Brother Marsh, it is so great to see you here today." My thoughts were, "Hey! I am somebody, the preacher knows my name!" Well, he probably remembered me because I was a little more rowdy than most of the kids but nevertheless he acknowledged me and made me feel important. I have tried to model this behavior in my ministry. Always trying to make the little kids, and the little people feel important and worthwhile.

I actually remember none of his sermons. He was my pastor for 3 or 4 years while I was a little boy. But his personality, the twinkle in his eye, his compassion and his compelling invitations are what influenced my ministry the most.

My family moved away for a few months when my father had to work out of town. When we returned Preacher Futrell was gone. I was sad. Another preacher took his place but nobody could ever fill his shoes in my little eyes. Fifteen years later when I was called into the ministry I thought of Preacher Futrell often and his ministry to me. His influence on the little boy helped mold the preacher I became later in life.