The famed evangelist, Billy Graham preached his first sermon at Bostwick Baptist Church in Palatka, just south of Jacksonville, Florida in 1937.   Only the year before, in 1936, Ralph Eddins would be born in Billy Graham’s home state of North Carolina.  Both Northcarolinians, Graham and Eddins would have a passion to proclaim the Gospel of Christ and “be the kind of man my child wants to see”.  Graham, a generation before Eddins spent his entire life traveling the world, meeting the most famous, wealthy, prominent and distinctive people in the universe using his influence to spread God’s message of grace.

Graham was an 18-year-old college student “with knocking knees and four borrowed sermons” who preached at the Bostwick  Baptist Church to about 40 congregants on Easter Sunday weekend in April of 1937.

Ralph Eddins was not yet one year old but God had a plan for him just as he did for Graham.  Billy Graham would go on and preach to millions world-wide and often referred to his first opportunity to share the Gospel at Bostwick.  Eddins would go forward, end up in Florida, marry Helen, have three children and impact the lives of many far and wide in his own time and place.  He would end up in his son, David Eddin’s church at Bostwick just as Graham began there.

Ralph Eddins had his home-going service at Bostwick Baptist Church where his eldest son is now pastor. The Senior Eddins, for almost six decades would proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ telling in serious fashion about God’s grace, forgiveness, mercy and eternal promises.  His son, David also, following in his Father’s footsteps is now at Bostwick Baptist proclaiming that same hopeful message.  At his Father’s “celebration”, the young Eddins spoke of his Dad’s love of God’s Word and his determination to share it.  He spoke about his Dad’s gifts of carpentry and matter-of-fact attitude and how he woke up every day happy with “heaven on his mind”.  

David’s son, Nathan also spoke and having been called into the ministry himself, was influenced by his Grandad’s diligence in living out the Gospel of Jesus.  He too reminisced about his grandfather being a man of his word, being of strong opinion and never wavering.

From the Bostwick pulpit at his home-going, his daughter told how her Father was “dogmatic, outspoken and opinionated” while always faithful to his calling. Tommy Brown, long time friend and a pastor from North Carolina spoke as well and told of Eddins’ influence on his life.

Eddins was honored with a church full of those who came to celebrate his new life in heaven.  There was grieving but not for him. His youngest son, Jason wept for his loss but said he was confident of his excitement waking in heaven.  Eddins’ decades of service through the years would be continued by family and friends as eternity was on the mind of all who came to celebrate his life.  

As Pastor Tommy Brown put it, “Well done though good and faithful servant”.  At Billy Graham’s funeral, the same was said of him.  Surely the two met in heaven and indeed with Jesus.

See you tomorrow,

Nan