My Tribute
to
Dr. Ed and Queen Esther Morrell

September 20, 1920 - September 14, 1998 *** February 12, 1922 - September 14, 1998

Whom shall I send, who will go for me,
Like Isaiah of old Ed heard the Lord’s plea.
Ed stepped from the crowd with his queen at his side,
We’re willing to go, Lord Jesus, they cried.
Dr. Ed and Queen Esther gave their hearts to God.
They surrendered to serve him, even abroad.
Through Baptist Mid-missions in a land far away,
They served the Lord faithfully day after day.
Even though illness brought that to a close,
They continued to serve him wherever he choose.
They left Venezuela for a much needed rest,
Because God in his wisdom always knows best.
Back to the office, Ed would God send,
To be used in a ministry of calling good men.
To recruit young people to give forth the gospel,
Ed was used like Paul the Apostle.
When the Lord next spoke, Ed and Esther heard,
Go now to Bedford and preach my Word.
Here in the pastorate they served day after day,
Seven years at Bible Baptist they would faithfully stay.
Out on the road, then would God call,
Living by faith and giving their all.
Itinerant evangelism at home and abroad,
Proclaiming to all the eternal Word of God.

God had a plan to meet a great need,
He called on Dr. Ed to take up the lead.
He put in his heart a great vision you see,
That would help missionaries over land and sea.
Six godly men joined Ed in his plan,
To spread the gospel to every land.
They would name this new group C O M E,
And would send the gospel over land and sea.
Thirty years have come, thirty years have passed,
Many have served, some in glory at last.
The work moves on because its Gods plan,
Taking the gospel to every land.
Some leave a legacy of statues of gold,
Of great exploits and daring feats so bold.
Ed and Esther leave a legacy of a life in the Word,
Multiplied thousands who would never have heard.
Their lives were a book that was openly read,
They told of Christs’ blood that was openly shed.
Many who read found their way to the cross,
Eternally saved, no longer to be lost.
Many heard COME, and then they heard GO,
The seed of the gospel in the world to sow.
Only in heaven with its splendor and glory,
Will we know in totality the COME story.
Today we gather in this solemn place,
To celebrate their lives of service and grace.
They’ve run their race and finished their fight,
May we all be as faithful in carrying the light.

By: Dr. Eldon W. Stevens

THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH
IN THE COMMUNITY
by Dr. "Ed" Morrell, Jr.
Founder, General Director Emeritus
Romans 1:14-16

Recently, I was asked to prepare a message on the subject of this treatise. Immediately, my mind went into action. Actually, anything we portend must be BIBLE-BASED. After all what does God say is our responsibility to our communities?

In simple Biblical language, God ORDAINS "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." The "ROLE" could not be more specific; and the communication is plain.

What? - GO!
Where? - INTO ALL THE WORLD!
To Whom?- EVERY CREATURE!

1. WHAT:
   
Many years ago, the famed "Bishop of Wall Street" J.J.D. Hall ("Daddy" Hall) addressed the student body in my Alma Mater. He transliterated Matthew 10:7 "IN YOUR GOING" he quoted, "PREACH!" He emphasized the need for each and for all to "preach" in their daily demeanor; in their daily conversations; in their daily activities.


2. WHERE:
   
Jesus, in his pre-ascension address said, "Ye shall be witnesses unto me in JERUSALEM..." This simply means RIGHT WHERE YOU LIVE - in your community. Too often we associate the message in Acts 1:8 with the ministry of "FOREIGN" missionaries. The local church members are to fulfill the church’s role by "gossiping the gospel" wherever their feet take them.


3. TO WHOM:
   
Could it be any plainer? TO EVERY CREATURE. The SAVED wife to her unsaved husband; the SAVED husband to his unsaved wife; SAVED parents to unsaved children; SAVED children to unsaved parents; etc.

A fourteen year old girl told me what Jesus met to her. This led to my conversion. I witnessed to my religious, but unsaved home. One by one, each family member received the Lord. My sister, younger than I, was the first to be saved. Then my mother and father accepted the Lord. Finally, my older brother joined "the holy band."

CONCLUSION:

Actually, it is the role of the church to "equip the saints for the work of the ministry." Ephesians 4:12. Then, each saint actively pursues "EVERY CREATURE." Saved citizens are the best insurance guaranteeing sound communities.