Bob Spurlin: Christian Author

- TODAY'S DATE -

Mr. & Mrs. Bob Spurlin
2101 Glenwood Drive
Hartselle, AL 35640
(256) 773-0295

Paul Spurlin, born September 30, 1972, was the first born child of Bob and Beverly Spurlin. Paul was always an energetic and active child with all the resourcefulness of an army of ants exploring here and there. As a parent and gospel preacher it was my wish that my son would follow in my footsteps to become a preacher of the gospel. He would walk around the house shouting at the top of his lungs saying, "preach the word." My wife and I thought how cute it was for our little toddler to walk around pretending to be a preacher. Preaching the gospel is not an easy life and to cajole or use our influence to persuade our son to do so would be placing too much pressure on him. We can say without fear of contradiction that our son did not become a gospel preacher due to over persuasion, it was because of his love for the Lord and a commitment to serve man and reach as many souls as possible. Of course, Mom and Dad believe that our son has talent and a natural ability to communicate the gospel to others and is presently doing so.

Paul is married to the former Stephanie Hines of Hartselle, AL. One of the unique things about this Christian couple is, they were both raised in preacher homes. This fine couple certainly did not enter their marriage, or the work of preaching the gospel blindly due to the environment from which they came. Paul and Stephanie will make a significant contribution to the work of the Lord wherever they labor and we take great pride in their accomplishments. In early July, Paul and Stephanie moved to the well-respected Memorial Parkway church of Christ in Huntsville, AL. This congregation is well known for their soundness of faith and commitment to preaching the gospel domestically and on foreign fields without compromise or alteration. It is rare to be able to work with a congregation that welcomes the pure and unadulterated gospel of Christ.

Paul and Stephanie are both devoted to working primarily with the young people at the Parkway congregation and they have a unique way of interacting with this age group. To have such a talent will be invaluable to enhance the knowledge of the youth, as well as others, to the word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Paul and Stephanie have been very involved with Christian camps that provide an atmosphere for young people to interrelate with one another. Young Christians and those not yet members of the body of Christ need occasions where they can "connect" with one another, while Bible instruction is provided numerous times daily. Christian camps provide an atmosphere that is conducive for learning and may do so in surroundings that will encourage each one to "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth" (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

Paul graduated from Arab high school, Arab, AL, 1992. Paul began preaching in 1993 at every opportunity that was afforded him. He spent a year at Faulkner University, Montgomery, Alabama. After serving two and one half years in the U.S. Navy, while on the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy, in the Persian Gulf, he was called home on emergency leave due to his sister suffering a fatal automobile accident. Following this tragic event and being the lone surviving child of the family he was given an automatic hardship discharge. Paul has preached regularly for the New Antioch church of Christ, Hillsboro, AL, Neil church of Christ, Hartselle, AL, Paul further worked full time as associate minister of the Hamilton church of Christ, Hamilton, AL, and now serves the Memorial Parkway church of Christ, Huntsville, AL. Paul is currently pursuing a B.A. degree in Bible at Heritage Christian University, Florence, AL. Stephanie meanwhile expects to graduate from the University of North Alabama, at Florence, AL, with a nursing degree in the summer of 2001. Her hope is to secure a nursing position in Huntsville.

Lord willing this young godly couple will serve the King of kings for many years to come. Bob and Beverly Spurlin have always had great pride in they’re first-born son and have prayed that he would follow the "old paths" as the great prophet, Jeremiah, has succinctly declared. God speed to Paul and Stephanie remembering the apostle Paul's charge to Timothy, "Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Tim. 4:2).