On Tuesday, Sept. 15, 1992, I chatted with a teaching colleague Jim Crawford who told me he had "gone forward" at the mission. Jim was then, and is now, one of the freshest, most-commited Christians I knew. Yet he felt compelled to offer himself in a more complete way to the service of the Lord. I had the honor of preaching at Jim's induction as pastor of Tillicoultry Evangelical Church on Sept. 11, 1999. As I left Jim's classroom, I wept. I knew the deep reality of his faith and commitment to God. I also knew the dryness and superficiality of mine. When I arrived home that afternoon, I played a track from Chuck Girard's album "Fire and Light." The song is called "Hearts of Fire."

Hearts of Fire (Chuck Girard) Jesus see me at your feet, born again but incomplete I gave my whole life to You, Yours alone I'd be. Even though I set apart, every portion of my heart There is a hunger deep in me, something not yet free.

Between the walls, I worship You, hollow sounds that ring untrue Zealous heart that once was bold, now is growing cold. Once a fire, now a flame, fan it with Your Holy Name. Let my lips again proclaim, that Jesus Christ is King.

Gimme a heart of fire, burnin' flame Fan it with Your holy name Heart of fire burnin' strong Your love will carry us, carry us along

Inside my heart at depths unknown, once had mighty eagles flown Now I sense a danger zone, come on Lord, and take your throne. Take me to the heights again, holy zeal again ascending Victory shall flood my soul, and I shall rise again.

More than say, I want to do, that's what it means to follow You. Feed the hungry, clothe the poor, then my praise will count for more. One day at the throne of grace, I can look You in the face Knowing I have run the race, and You will say well done.

Jesus see me on my knees, here I am just You and me I am here, I won't get up, till You fill my empty cup. Let your Spirit fall again, on my hardened heart and then Together we shall stand, with burning hearts of fire ©1990 Sea of Glass Music/ASCAP

The next day, Sept. 16, I met Sammy personally to arrange his visit to the school the following day.

On Thursday morning, at the Senior School assembly, he held 1000 pupils and staff spellbound as he recounted what God had done in Romania at the time of the collapse of Communism. I then introduced him to a class of 12 year olds. (This story is featured on page 22 of Sammy's book, Fit for Battle.)

On Sunday, Sept. 20, 1992, Sammy spoke at Selkirk Street Evangelical Church, Hamilton. I will never forget his message nor its impact. "Stay in Jerusalem until you have been clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49) and "Go into all the world" (Mark 16:15) "Staying and going." He emphasized the power of prayer and the futility of "going" without first "staying" in the presence of God.

At the end of the service, he made an appeal to any who had been challenged by the Lord. Appeals like that were very unusual in churches of that type. The Scots also are an extremely reserved nation when it comes to open and public displays of emotion. But nothing could have kept me in my seat that Sunday morning. I marched forward as an elder of that church, followed by about 30 other people. As I stood there, having responded publicly to an appeal of that kind for the first time in my life, I committed myself to follow the Lord "whatever the cost."

Five weeks later, on Sunday, Oct. 25, 1992, I was returning by car from a preaching engagement in Edinburgh. I was physically, emotionally and spiritually exhausted. As I contemplated a very demanding week ahead in school, I said over and over again "Everyone wants a piece of me, everyone wants a piece of me." For the first, and perhaps the only, time in my life I heard God audibly speak to me. "I want all of you." The voice and the message were unmistakable.

For the next year, God called me and confirmed His calling in compelling ways. My life was turned upside down. The details of that year would take too long to tell. Maybe some other time. Suffice to say they led to full-time ministry in Riverside.

I count it a great pleasure and privilege to know and love Sammy Tippit. I will never forget the way that the Lord used him in my life.

With Christian love,
Alastair R. Simmons

Editor's note: Alastair Simmons is the pastor of Riverside Evangelical Church in Ayr, Scotland. Born in this beautiful Scottish town, renowned as the birthplace of Scotland's national poet Robert Burns, Simmons was a secondary school teacher for 25 years before surrendering to preach seven years ago. He credits evangelist Sammy Tippit for transitioning him from full-time teaching and being an "exponent of muscular Christianity" (as a physical education and religious education teacher) to full-time preaching. Simmons is married, and he and wife Jean have a 27-year-old son, Ross, who is a doctor, specializing in anesthetics.