A RICH LEGACY

Neal Pollard

It is humbling to think about those men upon whose labor and study we feebly try to build.  The Bear Valley church of Christ has a legacy of outstanding men who have worked at this location, who have preached in the very pulpit it is my privilege to fill.  That is no doubt a contributor to the depth of Bible knowledge present in this congregation as well as the decades of sound, balanced teaching that has kept her from veering to the left or to the right of Bible center.  Perhaps you are unaware of the men, spiritual heroes, who have worked among us.

ROY LANIER, SR.

Brother Lanier’s biography was included in Loyd Smith’s 1986 book, Great Preachers of Yesterday, a volume that included the biographies of great men of the early and mid-1900s–Porter, Tant, Oliphant, McGaughey, Blue, Warlick, Rice, and many others.  Smith records the fact that Lanier wrote 11 volumes for Gospel Advocate’s Teacher’s Annual Lesson Commentary, 16 years as staff writer for Gospel Advocate, he debated, wrote several books, served as the first Bible Department head at Oklahoma Christian, Central Christian College, and served in that role at York College.  He was the first preacher to take the gospel to Salt Lake City, Utah. His last 15 years were spent helping start and run the Bear Valley School of Preaching that has met here on this property for 45 years!  Lee Hanstein is his granddaughter and Will is his great-grandson.

NORMAN GIPSON

Born about 19 years after brother Lanier in 1918, brother Gipson began preaching in 1935.  A Texas native who began preaching in Turkey, Texas, Gipson wrote tracts and books, spoke on daily radio programs, and debated through the heart of the 20th century (Preachers Of Today, Volume 2).  He worked in the northeast in the 1950s and was said to have a gentle disposition.  He converted several of our members, including the Randalls.

MONROE THARP

Preachers Of Today (Volume 5) featured brother Tharp, chronicling his long standing work in Christian camps and effective located work in Texas and Colorado.  He was among the original teachers in the school, and he began preaching in 1937.

ROY LANIER, JR.

A December, 1968, issue of The Minister’s Monthly, featured an already seasoned Roy Lanier, Jr., among featured “personalities.”  At the time, he was preaching in Midwest City, Oklahoma, but had already done local work in Iowa an Florida, too.  He would soon move to Colorado and be closely associated with this congregation for years.  He was known for conducting VBS, teacher-training, lectures, radio and TV, and foreign campaigns.  He spoke in a campaign in South Africa in 1968 that resulted in 76 baptisms.

AVON MALONE

Brother Malone was one of the early pulpit preachers at Bear Valley as well as a teacher in the school.  He was a teacher at Harding, Oklahoma Christian, Preston Road, and Brown Trail, too. He also did local work throughout Texas and Arkansas, wrote prolifically for periodicals as well as several books, including commentaries. He preached many, many gospel meetings throughout the post-war years. He is honored on the website, http://www.therestorationmovement.com.

WARREN WILCOX

A modest, self-deprecating man, brother Wilcox, as Willard Collins once said of Ira North, “never knew how great he was.” His scholarship was recognized by those who invited him to speak on lectureships, education, church growth, and evidences seminars, and World Video Bible School.  WVBS produced many videos of Warren’s classes on a great many subjects.  He was most beloved and an integral part of the growth and unity of the church in Denver area through his work with this church, the school, camp, and Singing Youth of Denver.

More could be said about all these men and others, especially men more contemporary to the present day.  What a legacy!  Thousands of sermons and articles, scores of baptisms, and hundreds of years combined experience speak to our richest of pasts.  What will we do to build upon this amazing and storied past?  May we endeavor to work today so that we can leave an imprint on this area, the church, and the world to the glory of God!