The master answered, ‘You did well. You are a good and loyal servant. Because you were loyal with small things, I will let you care for much greater things. Come and share my joy with me.’ Matthew 25:23 NCV
Several years ago after an evening summer Bible conference session, we were sitting around our dining room table in Faith Cottage with Dr. Eric Crichton, Dr. John Oliver, and Pastor Bob Alderman.
For over an hour, these godly men rehearsed the giants of the faith who had mentored them, whom they studied under, and who they served with in their early days of ministry.
I remember lamenting at that time that I was concerned for this next generation. Who would their heroes be? Would there be another generation of A. W. Tozers and giants who still speak even though they have been long with the Lord?
But I started to do an inventory of my own life and ministry to think about godly men and women who have influenced my life.
One of these heroes just went home to be with the Lord. Dr. Donald R. Hubbard has been a life-long friend, mentor, and encourager.
I met Dr. Hubbard at age 15 when he became the Senior Pastor of Berachah Church in Cheltenham, PA. Pastor Hubbard came to serve the church after Dr. Any Telford stepped down. Dr. Telford was a great Bible teacher and conference speaker.
Jan’s grandfather, George B. Toms, served at Berachah under Dr. Telford’s ministry and then served with Dr. Hubbard. “Doc” was often a speaker at our Old York Road Christian Endeavor events, and I remember as a kid being really scared of him. (One night at America’s Keswick, he howled when I shared that story.) He never joked around in the pulpit and was just serious when it came to the ministry of the Word.
We reconnected in ministry when I served at Sandy Cove and then at America’s Keswick when I became President/CEO. I was interviewed for my position in a snowstorm, and there was a Pastor’s conference in session. I was coming out of the Board interview as Pastor and Joy were coming out of the Fireside. Much to both of our surprise, he said, “Bill Welte, what are you doing here?”
He pulled me back into the room and spent time praying for me and giving me godly wisdom and advice. That was a special moment in our lives.
Dr. Hubbard served at Calvary Baptist Church in New York City, and then at Bibletown in Boca Raton, Florida. He traveled the country, speaking at just about every major Bible conference. He was loved by every audience because of his practical insight into the Word of God. He was a preacher and a Bible teacher.
He also was a featured speaker on BBN (Bible Broadcasting Network) and is still heard on hundreds of stations. Dr. John DeBrine, found of Songtime USA used Dr. Hubbard regularly on his daily broadcasts.
During the past several years, I have been blessed by emails, letters, and phone calls to encourage me in the ministry. This man has traveled in big circles and has known some pretty amazing people in church, yet he was willing to invest in the lives of guys like me to cheer us on.
He will be greatly missed in my life. It’s a great reminder to my generation that we need to pick up the baton and continue to invest in younger leaders who are coming up through the ranks.
Thanks, Lord, for blessing my life with knowing the man, the legend, Pastor Donald R. Hubbard.
He’s having the greatest Christmas ever.
Set apart for more,
Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick
Merry Christmas from our family to yours.
Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 12 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.
