Edward Scott Sholar
Personal Essay
My relationship with Christ began on May 27, 1975. I gave my heart to Jesus at the age of twelve, and my life has not been the same. Jesus changed me from a rebellious preacher’s kid into something that He could receive glory. The old had passed away in my life, and “all things had become new.”
Since that time, God has been so good to me. He has shown me that He will always be my best friend. Although there have been some tough times over the last thirty-six years, Jesus has always helped me to overcome any challenge, crisis or trial.
Also, since that time, Jesus has baptized me with His Spirit, and He has continued to mold me and shape me. God has given me the privilege of attending two Christian colleges which has been a great benefit in my Christian walk. Warner Southern College and Tomlinson College are the afore-mentioned schools, and they have given me a solid foundation which helped me through the Biblical training at Asbury Theological Seminary.
I have been privileged to have been given a family heritage of Pentecostal preachers (specifically Church of God and Church of God of Prophecy). My great-grandfather, Fred Tugman, was a Church of God minister and church planter in the 1920′s through the 1940′s, and he was also the first manager or caretaker of Fields of the Wood in Murphy, NC. My grandfather, Clement Lynch, was the state bishop of North Carolina for the Church of God of Prophecy from 1948 to 1959 and state bishop of Florida for the same denomination from 1959 until his death in 1965. My father, Gene Sholar, was also a minister in the Church of God of Prophecy for over thirty years. He served as pastor in both Florida and North Carolina, and he also served that denomination in state positions as well.
The main motivation for my preparing for ministry would be the fulfillment of the “Great Commission.” Spreading the gospel is what Jesus told us to do, and I want to be obedient to the Lord. There is no greater work than that of carrying the good news of salvation.
My parents, Gene and Marguerite Sholar, have been a fundamental influence in my life for ministry as well. The example that they have lived before my brother and myself has been invaluable. Two other motivating factors are Robin Cox, former pastor of evangelism, Calvary Assembly, Winter Park, FL and my relationship with Pastor Phil Waisanen, small groups pastor at Faith Assembly of God, Orlando, FL. My wife, Lou Ann Sholar (the love of my life), has been a constant source of support and blessing.
My understanding of Christian ministry consists of the knowledge of Jesus’ command to spread the gospel. Bringing the truth of Jesus’ saving grace to the nations is not an option. Also, taking care of His sheep and making disciples of all nations is another reason for Christian ministry.
Christian ministry is also about reaching a lost world with the message of hope, salvation and forgiveness through a risen Lord. The fact that we should be showing the love of Jesus to a world that is dying both spiritually and physically is so vitally important as well.
Other reasons for Christian ministry are servanthood and doing the work of the Kingdom. The Bible talks about taking care of the “widows and orphans” and differing means of giving of oneself. Jesus was the ultimate example of being a servant, and we are to pattern our lives after Him.
Thanks for sharing your story. I love to hear how Jesus calls us and prepares us for life ahead. What a great heritage too! Blessings on you, family and your ministry.
Thank you.
What a spiritual heritage! Exodus 20:6 says But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.
God bless you, and cheers from New York
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Thanks and God bless you.
A appreciated your visit to my blog and your comment. Likewise, I really enjoyed your story–what a rich heritage. I did not attend Asbury but I know it well–wonderful seminary. Thanks so much for stopping by.
God bless you, Pastor Jeff.
Great testimony, and thanks for also stopping by my blog, as well. Blessings, and God bless you.
God bless you and your blog was was blessing also.
Thanks, Scott for commenting on my blog but more importantly, thanks for sharing your story and your ministry. It reminded me of when I was in my early teens and my mother was sure I would one day go into the ministry. Never happened. Never wanted it to happen. But I did learn there are other ministries beyond the pulpit. God bless you and Lou Ann!
Thank you, Bill. Yes, God has done some amazing things for Lou Ann and I.
After seeing our son, Mark Bradshaw’s blog “My POV” this morning, I saw your comment, and read your own personal testimony, as well as your tribute to Tim Tibow. You can be sure that this 85 year old mother (whom Mark called “elderly” (Ha!) is going to be watching Tim and the Broncos play later today. Naturally I would love to see them win, but in any case, Tim is truly getting out the message of God’s salvation and love through John 3:16. Regardless of whether they win or lose, Tim is a “winner”, and a “missionary” for the Lord Jesus Christ. The “world” will be watching. All of us who know the Lord personally—no matter what age or stage in life, are to get out the Truth of His Word. I’m glad to read your blog, and one of the MANY ways that I get out His Word (even at my age) is through Facebook, and the computer. Maybe Mark is a “chip” off the old block.
Thanks, and God bless you, Sue.
Praise the Lord for what He has done and placed in your life. May He use you as a powerful witness of His glory and bring salvation to many through you.
Thank you, and may God continue to use you for His glory and honor!
Thank you Scott, and you too.
God Bless you it is a pleasure to meet you and I enjoyed reading about Your Story
May the Lord bless you also.
Hello, Cotty Cowboy
Hello, Easter Monkey.
A great testimony. The part that struck me most was about Field of the Wood in Murphy. My mom lived in Murphy for awhile. I enjoyed going to Field of the Wood on several occasions – one of those great little places most folks don’t know about. Blessings on you.
Yes, Fields of the Wood is a great place to visit. It’s been about 20 years since I’ve been there. God bless you.
Good stuff, Scott….really was impressed with the heritage piece…both my grandfathers have passed on to be with the Lord, and now that I am on the door step of being a grandfather, I appreciate the wisdom and Godly reverance that they had instilled in me.
My Christian heritage has definitely been a gift from God. God bless you.
Thanks for visiting my blog!
You’re welcome!
Thanks for checking in Scott. It’s going to be a blast.
Bless you, Robert.
What a wonderful, touching story! God bless you! And it’s great that you pray in the Spirit too! So many people who don’t understand it and disregard it as craziness, or wrong, don’t know what a wonderful thing they are missing out on..the Holy Spirit praying for what you know not! Awesome!
God bless you, Lyn.
Do you also interpret when you speak in tongues with a group of believers? Prophesy?
Yes, our denomination, the Assemblies of God, practices all of those gifts of the Spirit. Although I have not interpreted personally.
Then, I guess you’ve never spoken in tongues out loud in front of anyone.
Yes, I have, many times.
I thought one was suppose to keep silent if they weren’t going to interpret.
Fred, there are many other times when speaking in tongues in a corporate setting out loud is okay when interpretation does not follow. For example: when one is praying at the altar for someone to be filled with the Spirit, corporate singing in tongues (when the whole congregation does this together), praying in tongues during praise and worship, etc. At these times, it is not “out of order” for this to be done. God bless you, and may you experience some of these times of refreshing in your life. You will never be the same!
I first spoke in tongues in 1974;(in a corporate setting where leading people into the baptism of holy spirit was the purpose of the meeting) spoken in tongues and interpreted and prophesied for the first time in ’75. I am still speaking in tongues, interpreting and prophesying (personal and corporate) ever since.
I thank God that you speak in tongues but would like to encourage you to believe to interpret and prophesy, so that those around you, especially in your own family can be edified as well. An interpretation is not a translation. When we speak in tongues it is praise to God, it is magnifying Him, so the interpretation is your inspired utterance of praises to God. Interpretation is the sum and substance of what you what you spoke in the tongue. Since we don’t know what we speak, we cannot translate it.
A message of Prophesy is words of edification, exhortation or comfort in your language to those present. Tongues with interpretation is equal to prophesying to the church for their edification. These are manifestations that everyone who is born again can operate in their lives and as you said, “You will never be the same.” God bless,
May God continue to use you for His glory and honor.
Thank you for stopping by my randomthortz blog Scott and leaving your comment on “You have one new message”. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your story.
Blessings to you.
Bless you, Sandy.
Thanks for following and leaving a comment on my page! =) Your story is just another testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness… even to the fourth generation =)
Sid, the Lord has been so good to me that it is hard to describe sometimes. God bless you.
Thanks for dropping by my site. Your story is a great testimony to the faithfulness and love of God!
Praise God for what you are doing in His name.
1 Cor 15:58
Hi Stephen. The Lord has been so good to me, and He continues to pour out His blessings in my life. May the Lord continue to use you for His honor and glory.