A New Generation - A New Era
While Joe Temple's pace was slowed somewhat due to his physical problems, a new spiritual leader was emerging from the Temple family--the oldest child and first son, Tim.
Tim graduated from Abilene High School in 1962 and attended Bob Jones University, graduating in January, 1967. After graduation, on January 25, 1967, Tim married Janice Riddle of Huntington, West Virginia, whom he had met at Bob Jones University.
Tim had originally intended to become a Christian lawyer, but soon became impressed that he was to enter the ministry, and he wanted to prepare for that by attending Dallas Theological Seminary. Since he was a mid-term graduate from Bob Jones University, he came to Abilene in January to await enrollment in the seminary the following fall.
While here, Tim had ample opportunity to experience on-the-job training by assisting his father in pastoral duties. In addition, he helped organize Junior Church services, worked with the printed page ministry, and was available for preaching services on Sundays for area churches.
A New Ministry For Tim
Tim became involved in the work here and ultimately decided to postpone his seminary education for one year, and Janice began teaching school in a private kindergarten.
In May of 1968, Tim was invited to preach at Grace Church in Wichita Falls, Texas. The church was without a pastor, but they made it clear to Tim that he was not a candidate. "We are looking for someone older with more experience," he was told, "and we only want you to fill in for a Sunday or two." The church was recovering from internal problems and was seeking a mature, stable leader.
Tim fulfilled the obligation by preaching his first sermon for them on Fathers' Day, 1968. The members were so impressed with his preaching that they asked him to consider becoming their pastor. Receiving the invitation with surprise and concern, Tim said, "How can you know you want me for your pastor after hearing only one sermon? How do you know that that isn't the only sermon I have?"
Considering the point well made, they agreed to pray about the matter, have Tim speak again and trust the Lord for guidance. After consideration and prayer, the congregation was convinced that they wanted Tim to accept their offer, and they even agreed to consent to his going to Dallas Theological Seminary. They agreed to pay his way and to accept him as part-time pastor while he pursued his studies. They did, however, ask him to postpone his studies for one year in order to devote more time to the church, which they felt was in much need at that time.
Seeing the hand of the Lord working out the details convinced Tim and Janice to accept the pastorate of Grace Church in August of 1968. The church flourished under Tim's leadership, and when the time came for him to go to Dallas, the congregation asked him to continue with them full time. "Why go train to do something that you are already doing so well?", he was asked by one of the church leaders. Once again, he canceled his plans and did not go to Dallas Theological Seminary until 1975 when a summer program was opened to him. He received his Master of Arts degree in Biblical studies in 1977 and a Doctor of Theology degree from Trinity Theological Seminary in Newburg, Indiana, in 1985.
In looking back, Tim says, "When I became pastor of Grace Church, the only role model I had for the pastorate was my dad. He had come into a community, put down roots and stayed there the rest of his life. That became my mindset about my ministry in Wichita Falls." But God had other ideas for Tim's ministry, as we shall see.
Tim and Janice look back on ten wonderful years in Wichita Falls. They made many close friends and had interesting and varied experiences as they learned to shepherd a church family. During those years, all three of their children were born: Nancy in 1969, Joe in 1972, and Adrienne in 1975.
Coming Home
As his father's health problems continued, Tim began to think about the possibility of returning to Abilene. It was a difficult decision for them, but it soon became apparent that Joe Temple would no longer have the strength to continue the ministry at the pace at which he had gone for so many years. He was in need of immediate help, and he needed someone who could eventually assume the pastorate of the Bible Center.
After much prayer and consultation with Christian friends, Tim resigned as pastor of Grace Church and moved to Abilene in 1978. For several years, Tim served as co-pastor with his father as a time of transition in the ministry. In 1983, Dr. Joe Temple took the position of Minister-at-Large, Tim became senior pastor, and a new era under new leadership was about to begin.
A New Name
Soon after coming to Abilene, Tim began to realize that the name "Bible Center" was not completely descriptive of the ministry. Many calls from new arrivals in Abilene looking for a charismatic group with which to identify convinced Tim that we needed a new name. The designation "Bible Church" was more commonly used and widely understood, so it was decided in 1980 that the name should be changed to "Abilene Bible Church." | |
Abilene Bible Church
3125 Oldham Lane
Abilene, Texas 79602
325-677-8653
(at Loop 322 & Potosi Road Exit)
Sunday School 9:30 AM*
Worship Service 10:35 AM*
Children's Church 11:15 AM
Evening Study 6:00 p.m.
Church Office Hours 9 AM
to 5 PM
*Nursery is provided for
these times.
 |
