A glimpse at how God uses ordinary people like speaker/author Henry Blackaby

Most ordinary people never achieve an extraordinary life because they are too fearful to take that leap of faith and simply take God at His Word.

Elijah was an ordinary man. The Bible says, “[He was] subject to like passions as we are.” One translation says, “He was a mortal man just like we are.” Yet he became an extraordinary man who could pray and shut up the heavens so that it did not rain or pray so the heavens were opened up and rain came in abundance. In fact, on Mount Carmel he outdueled the prophets of Baal when he successfully prayed down fire from heaven.

Extraordinary men are in scarce supply today but Henry Blackaby is an ordinary man who has become a mighty instrument in the hands of God.

Blackaby was born in British Columbia. He studied English and history at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, as an undergraduate and earned his bachelor of divinity degree and master of theology from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, Calif. He also holds five honorary doctorates.

Henry and Marilynn Blackaby served in churches in California before serving 18 years in Canada, where they saw many new churches begun. They raised their five children in Canada.

A unique call

It also was at that time God taught the Blackabys the truths concerning walking with God that would eventually become the basis for the best-selling book “Experiencing God.”

Raised in that environment, all five children sensed a unique call of God into ministry. Their oldest son, Richard Blackaby, currently serves as president of Blackaby Ministries International and resides in Atlanta. Thomas Blackaby is the former pastor of North Sea Baptist Church, Stavanger, Norway, and now is the international director of Blackaby Ministries International. Mel Blackaby is pastor of First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, Ga. Norman Blackaby is a professor at Dallas Baptist University in Texas. Carrie Blackaby-Webb is a career missionary serving in Germany.

A God-perspective

The Blackabys have 14 grandchildren and the three older ones are currently enrolled in seminary and several others have sensed a call into some form of ministry. Henry Blackaby said, “I prayed that I would live out my life with God in such a way that my children and grandchildren would choose to be involved in ministry.”

In 1970, Henry Blackaby began serving a small church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. During those days he began to mentor some of the students at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Among the many students he encouraged and discipled was one French-Catholic by the name of Gerry Taillon. Taillon was saved and called to serve an Indian church 90 miles from Saskatoon. He now serves as national ministry leader for the Canadian National Baptist Convention.

Taillon recently commented, “Henry Blackaby is the most theocentric person I know. He is always more concerned about God’s perspective than the human one. He influenced me more than words can tell.

“Henry was my first pastor and my mentor. His life has formed the greater part of my theological outlook and forms the core of my confidence in God and His mission in our world. Henry is a dear friend and a wonderful example of a man who walks with God. I am forever grateful for his influence in my life.”

In addition to impacting the lives of many university students Henry Blackaby also has mentored numerous CEOs of large corporations. Mac McQuiston, director of institutional development for Focus on the Family, had his life amazingly transformed by reading “Experiencing God” and began to relate the principles of the book to CEOs around the country.

One day McQuiston called Henry Blackaby and asked, “Henry, would you help me disciple these CEOs? They are asking for some spiritual counsel, for someone who can guide them through the Scripture and then through the Scripture to the relationship.”

McQuiston added, “Many of the CEOs were connected to President Bush and all the cabinet — you name it — but they were asking, ‘How can we use our lives?’ Forty-seven of those CEOs met and agreed to make decisions regarding television sponsorship that would insure that prime time television would be more family friendly. A lot of that came out of their studying ‘Experiencing God.’” There are now more than 200 CEOs being mentored by Henry Blackaby.

Henry Blackaby’s ministry to missionaries also has been a vital part of his ministry. When Jerry Rankin was president of the International Mission Board he called Blackaby one day and said, “I would like for you to go around the world and encourage our missionaries.”

In a recent interview Richard Blackaby said he was speaking at a missions conference in Florida when three missionaries shared with him how much his dad had blessed and encouraged them in his visit to their missionary outposts.

Richard Blackaby explained, “One missionary in Central America was so discouraged that he was ready to quit, but when Dad came to see him on the missions field things changed. One day they got in a boat to travel to some destination and while they skimmed across the water they talked. By the time they docked the boat the missionary had decided to stay at his post of duty.”

Since that time Henry Blackaby has spoken in the East Room of the White House for the National Day of Prayer, the Pentagon, the United Nations and in churches and conferences all over the world. He also has addressed people in churches of many denominations including Lutherans, Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed, Mennonites, Catholics and Seventh Day Adventists.

“But,” Henry Blackaby added, “my ministry would not be possible without Marilynn. Words fail me to describe how instrumental she has been in my life and ministry. She is the major force in my life apart from God.”

Although Henry Blackaby has officially retired, he knows God still has a work for him to do. He explained, “My future is open-ended with my service to CEOs, pastors and political leaders. There is no limit to what the future holds for me.”

‘Unlimited potential’

“My philosophy is if you save your life you will lose it, but if you give it away you will save it.

“Jesus’ plan for the ages was and is the local church. He loved it and gave Himself for it, and I believe any church wholly given to God has unlimited potential. Those first century disciples turned the world upside down and it can happen again.

“We want to believe that all our churches and denominational agencies have their ministries bathed in prayer, but it is foolhardy to assume that people are praying fervently and frequently. We must make prayer a priority.”

On April 17–18 the public is invited to celebrate Henry Blackaby’s 80th birthday/retirement celebration at First, Jonesboro. It will be a time of worship and fellowship. Special guests will include Frank S. Page, Johnny Hunt and Michael Catt. The worship service Friday evening begins at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.blackaby.net.

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