Our Lord has been pleased to call out a people for his glory all over our country and the world. And in these assemblies of believers our Lord has raised up men to preach, pastor, and teach his Word. They are all earthen vessels, each with different personalities, gifts, talents, and experience; but, they do all have one thing in common—they love Christ and preach his gospel of grace.
Therefore, I pray for them, love them, and desire to encourage them in every way that I can. It is an awesome responsibility to preach the word and pastor God’s flock. “Who is sufficient for these things?” We are his orchestra in concert, not in competition. And when we work together, sing in harmony, and take our own parts conscientiously, the music of the gospel and the fellowship of believers is sweet to the ear and heart. But, when we leave our chair and charge, which the Master Conductor gave to us only, and begin to tell another what to play and how to play his part, we do not fulfill our role and we also hinder him in his.
Peter pointed out to John and said, “What shall this man do?” Our Lord said, “What I have for him to do is no concern of yours—you follow me!”
About Henry Mahan
Henry T. Mahan was born in Birmingham, Alabama in August 1926. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman on an L.S.T. in the Pacific during World War II. In 1946, he married his wife Doris, and the Lord blessed them with four children.
At the age of 21, he entered the pastoral ministry and gained broad experience as a pastor, teacher, conference speaker, and evangelist. In 1950, through the preaching of evangelist Rolfe Barnard, God was pleased to establish Henry in sovereign free grace teaching. At that time, he was serving as an assistant pastor at Pollard Baptist Church (off of Blackburn ave.) in Ashland, Kentucky.
In 1955, Thirteenth Street Baptist Church was formed in Ashland, Kentucky, and Henry was called to be its pastor. He faithfully served that congregation for more than 50 years, continuing in the same message throughout his ministry. His preaching was centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified, in full accord with the Scriptures. He consistently proclaimed God’s sovereign purpose in salvation and the glory of Christ in redeeming sinners through His blood and righteousness.
Henry T. Mahan also traveled widely, preaching in conferences and churches across the United States and beyond. His ministry was marked by a clear and unwavering emphasis on Christ, not the preacher, but the One preached. Those who heard him recognized that his sermons honored the Savior and exalted the name of the Lord Jesus Christ above all.
Henry T. Mahan served as pastor and teacher of Thirteenth Street Baptist Church in Ashland, Kentucky for over half a century. His life and ministry were devoted to proclaiming the sovereign grace of God and directing sinners to the finished work of Christ. He entered into the presence of the Lord in 2019, leaving behind a lasting testimony to the gospel he faithfully preached.
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