MY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOREST HILL ELDERS UPON SELECTING BROTHER BOBBY LIDDELL!

At the evening service, December 3, 2006, I learned of the elders' selection of brother Bobby Liddell to succeed the writer on March 27, 2007, as Director of the Memphis School of Preaching. The elders made the announcement to the Forest Hill church before worship began. I enthusiastically commend the eldership, which oversees the School (a part of the Bible teaching program of the Forest Hill congregation), for selecting a great and good man who loves the Truth dearly and is fully capable of continuing the institution in its original mission and purpose.

Bobby Liddell hails from Adamsville, Alabama. He was influenced early by the loved and lamented Bobby Duncan and Franklin Camp. He gave up high-paying employment when he and sister Joan moved to Memphis to prepare in the MSOP, to preach the old, primitive gospel. He was graduated in 1979 having studied under such noted teachers as Roy J. Hearn, J. A. McNutt, Richard Curry, John Renshaw, Frank Young, E. L. Whitaker, and Gary Colley. Brother Liddell was selected by the faculty to receive the "Outstanding Student Award," June 24, 1979. Later, the Alumni Association of the School named him as "Alumnus of the Year," April 1, 1997.

Brother Liddell is well educated (in addition to MSOP), having attended Walker College, the University of Alabama Birmingham, and Regions University (B.A., Summa Cum Laude and Valedictorian, 1985; M.A., 1986; and much additional work toward the M. Div.).

The Liddells have preached the gospel since 1978, working with congregations in Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee for the last twenty-nine years. They have three children who are faithful workers for the Lord: Tony, Nathan, and Keri, and four grandchildren. Tony (who preaches in Alabama) and Nathan (who preaches in Colorado) are MSOP graduates (2003).

Brother Bobby has been a great supporter of MSOP since his graduation. He was added to the faculty in 1994 and has demonstrated himself to be an excellent teacher, very capable Dean of Admissions, and gifted and invaluable Associate Director.

I am very excited about and deeply commend brother Liddell for his selection. He has my pledge of encouragement and support in every way possible. I shall be privileged to continue with the School in the capacity of Director Emeritus and teacher. My heart is with the School, as is only natural after twenty-five years. My health is good, and I look forward to more productive years in the Lord.s service, the Lord willing. I pray much success for Christ.s work at this place.

Dear friend of the Memphis School of Preaching, please continue your most generous moral and financial support of MSOP and even help more, if you can. Especially remember brother Liddell, the Forest Hill eldership, and me in your prayers. My deepest appreciation is expressed to you for your encouragement of our efforts for a quarter century.

Curtis A. Cates

Brother Cates to become Director Emeritus

November 22, 2006

Dear friends of the Memphis School of Preaching:

My beloved friend(s), I have decided that it is time for me to bow out of directing the Memphis School of Preaching, effective at the Annual Lectureship, March 27, 2007. Words cannot describe the honor which was bestowed on me twenty-five years ago when I was asked to come to the School and to follow brother Roy J. Hearn as director.

The decision is totally my own; both the elders and the faculty strongly urged me to reconsider. But, after five years of battling cancer, of throwing myself completely into this great work, and of nearing my sixty-sixth year, I have made the request of the elders that someone else carry the load. They understand, and I am sure you do also.

The Memphis School of Preaching is a truly great collegiate institution. The Forest Hill eldership has all through the years shown outstanding leadership, and I love them dearly and treasure their deep friendship. The faculty of the School is second to none and are fully dedicated to the Old Jerusalem gospel. Those students who get to study at the feet of these Bible scholars are especially blessed. And, I love and appreciate them; they are among my dearest friends also, as are the competent staff.

Beloved, I am not retiring--far from it! I will be continuing to teach regularly, I will be Director Emeritus, Annette (my wife) will continue to head up the N. B. Hardeman Library, and Dan (our younger son) will continue to teach in the School. I thank a great eldership and a gracious God who blessed me with the indescribable privilege of directing the School for twenty-four years and for continuing to serve, only in a different role. My heart is in the MSOP; my love, admiration, and appreciation for the elders, faculty, and staff is immeasurable. [And, I wish to write some more books, especially on Job].

Now, please allow me to express to you, my friend(s), my deepest thanksgiving for your prayerful and financial support of the MSOP all through the nearly one-quarter century while I have been director. Words cannot begin to convey the gratitude in my heart for the confidence you have demonstrated in my directorship. It has been my unswerving, determined purpose to carry out the School's original and solid Bible goal of staying in the strait and narrow, without deviating either to the left or to the right. As brother Hearn, whose faithful work I greatly admire and have tried to imitate, often and up to his very death would say, "I am thankful the toes of the School are pointed in the same direction."

The Forest Hill elders, who oversee the School, will choose the right man to assume the leadership of the School; I have full confidence in them. The MSOP is completely worthy and deserving of your continued, generous support. I want to ask you to give even more, if possible. One of the greatest things we can do right now is to come with the approximately 1.4 million dollars to complete the student apartments. That would save over $20,000 monthly in housing these more than fifty students and their families. I shall continue to do everything within my power to support the elders, the next director, and this school as we educate faithful, loving, capable "men of the Book."

Please continue to pray for the elders, the faculty and staff of the MSOP, and for me. Again, my confidence in and love for the School is deep; this work is very close to my heart. God bless you for helping!

Affectionately in Christ,

Curtis A. Cates, Director

P.S. In the words of Mark Twain, "The report of my demise has been greatly exaggerated."