Doyle was delighted to recognize them on TV and radio. “That was a fun thing,” he said. “Paul Walker is one of my real heroes, and I so busted him that night. Really, I was so honored to recognize my Church of God heroes!”


Even though Doyle could have a very successful career in country music, he chooses to stay true to his calling. Wher- ever he is scheduled to play for Taylor Guitars, you can find him also ministering nearby in a local church. “I wouldn’t trade anything for my church and my heritage. I’m on the road about 260 or 280 days a year, and my biggest hero is Rita, my wife of 37 years. There’s no way I could do what I do without her love and support.”


Open Doors


In the last 10 years, Taylor Guitars and Rivera amplifiers have opened many doors for Doyle Dykes. His signature instruments have led him to Europe, Japan, South Africa, Shanghai and Hong Kong in China, and BBC radio in Great Britain. The Grand Ole Opry has been another wonderful door-opener. Even though he is not cur- rently a member, he is a regular guest and performs there as much as any other artist. Today Doyle has played with all his heroes—Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Les Paul, Duane Eddy—and he has recorded with many stars. “I’ve walked away from a lot of opportunities that I believe would have been the wrong thing. We’re get- ting into more theatres and doing more festivals around the world. Ricky Skaggs recently said to me that we’re Christians whether we’re at Kroger or in a casino. Ricky loves the Lord too, and we both have to keep our focus on our ministry wherever we go. A lot of churches are a little shy of me because they think I don’t minister in churches anymore, but I’ll always play in church. It’s where I came from and still who I am today. For that I’m thankful.” To contact Doyle for ministry, go to www.doyledykes.com.


Wanda Griffith is a writer, speaker, and singer who lives in Cleveland, Tennessee.


KIDS ON A MISSION IN HAMILTON, OHIO


THE PRINCETON PIKE Church of God in Hamilton, Ohio, is experiencing revival. People from all walks of life are coming to Christ. The Evangel spoke with Donnie Turner, children’s pastor, about what is happening.


What is the mission of the children’s ministry at Princeton Pike?


“Building children of faith today for tomorrow’s future.” Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”


How does the children’s focus fit with the vision of the lead pastor, Barry Clardy, and the congregation at large?


It flows from the mission of the church: “Making ministry our mission and people our purpose.” First, we are training children to have a daily walk with God. As they do this they are ministering to their friends and families everywhere they go. Second, we provide events which minister to the whole family and not just the children. For example, we offer family fun nights where families laugh together and grow together spiritually. It also fosters rela- tionship building between church families.


How is the revival at Princeton Pike reflected in the children’s ministry?


Children are being saved every Sunday. And we are seeing a boldness rise up in the children to where they feel comfortable sharing their faith with other children. We are hear- ing reports of children giving their hearts to Jesus on school buses, playgrounds, and lunch- rooms, and reports of family members being saved.


Can you give one or two specific testimonies?


One day while at school, Josh was telling a friend about Jesus. A girl overheard their conversation and told Josh she did not believe in God. Josh responded by telling her God is awesome and He can change a person’s life. He also told her that she had to ask Jesus into her heart in order to go to heaven. Josh called me on the phone very upset that the girl rejected Jesus. I told him that some will not hear, but his job was to love them anyway and to continue praying for them. Josh has since led other friends to Jesus. Another testimony comes from Shelby George. One day she told two of her friends at school about how she had received Jesus into her heart, and asked them if they knew about Jesus. They both said they had heard of Him. She then asked them if they wanted to ask Jesus into their lives, and they both said yes. She prayed with them, and they accepted Jesus. I will never forget that night at church seeing Shelby in the hall. She was so excited to tell me what God had done. She was literally jumping up and down while telling me how she led her friends to the Lord. The funny thing was that her 5-year-old brother, Sammy, was upset because she witnessed to her friends and he had not. The next day on the playground, Sammy told his friends about Jesus! We hear weekly the testimonies of many other children who are sharing their faith with their friends—even first graders using tracts to share their faith.


How are you and your family being formed by what God is doing?


It is exciting but sometimes tiring because it does pull more from our family as the ministry grows and changes. However, we have seen great spiritual growth in our own children’s lives as well as ours and experienced our children sharing the gospel with their friends in school. It has helped us to not only focus on training other children but to remember to train up our own children at home because this is where it should begin. Also, we realize the importance of showing our children that serving God can be fun and exciting and that you are the same person at home, school, and everywhere else you go that you are at church. The life lessons we teach our children are for every day, not just Sunday and Wednesday lessons. Keeping God first in everything we do is the key.


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