A Sea Of Red

The founder and former chancellor of Tennessee Temple University, Dr. Lee Roberson, at age 96 went home to be with the Lord today. He's the one who gave Dr. Jerry Falwell an honorary doctorate in the mid-1970s, and the obituary is listed below, pasted from an email that I received this afternoon. Please pray for the Roberson family and all those associated with Tennessee Temple and Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga.

Dr. Lee Roberson Memorial

Dr. Lee Roberson, age 97, former pastor of the Highland Park Baptist Church, Founder and Chancellor Emeritus of Tennessee Temple University and Man of God, passed into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ whom he had served faithfully since the age of fourteen, on Sunday, April 29, 2007.

Dr. Roberson was born November 24, 1909 on a farm near English, Indiana. He was led to the Lord at age fourteen by his Sunday School teacher, and he accepted the call to preach the 'Good News' of the Gospel at the age of eighteen.

He studied as vocal music at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and was a graduate of the University of Louisville and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. Beginning in 1932, Dr. Roberson served as a pastor and evangelist before accepting the pastorate of the Highland Park Baptist Church of Chattanooga in November of 1942. Tennessee Temple University was founded as a junior college and Bible school in July 1946. TTU is now an accredited four-year college, graduate school and seminary.

Dr. Lee Roberson was preceded in death by daughter Joy Caroline and wife, the former Caroline Allen. He is survived by son, John C. Roberson and wife Donna, daughter LeeAnne Nichols and husband Dr. L.W. 'Buddy' Nichols, daughter June Ormesher and husband Bill, eight grandchildren and by the countless thousands who accepted the new life of salvation under his ministry and the subsequent ministries of the thousands of men and women who he faithfully led, taught and encouraged at HPBC and TTU.

The family is asking that any memorial gifts be sent to the Lee Roberson Foundation, 2327 Red Tail Lane, Chattanooga, TN 37421 or online at www.LeeRoberson.org.

Dr.Roberson's favorite Scripture verse was Romans 8:28 - "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Dated August 1, 2006 at the age of 96, Dr. Roberson published what he called his farewell letter and final testimony "to give encouragement to pastors, evangelists, and full-time Christian workers."

"I believe the Bible! I believe in the promises of God regarding our future life! I believe 'to be absent from the body, to be present with the Lord.' I believe the future will hold some of the most glorious blessings that one could ever conceive. We will be present 'with the Lord.' The Apostle Paul said 'this is far better.' The future is bright! I know the Lord may come at any moment - He has promised 'I will come again.'

"Continue in His great work! Give attention to the winning of souls and exhort yourself to a close walk with God."

Dr. Lee Roberson, "absent from the body, present with the Lord,"

April 29, 2007.

What a giant for God, may God bless his family during this time of his departure.

Lee Roberson is best known for coining the phrase "Distinctively Christian," describing the Tennessee Temple Schools that he founded; his other famous quote is this: "Everything rises and falls upon leadership."

Crown College(TN) has a tribute to Dr. Roberson

http://www.thecrowncollege.com/

He didn't quite make a century but he certainly leaves quite a legacy.

Here's a link to the local news broadcast in Chattanooga of Lee Roberson's legacy and his death (with a Danny Lovett interview): http://www.wrcbtv.com/news/index.cfm?sid=7962

Dr. Falwell writes an excellent article about the passing of Lee Roberson:

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.a ... E_ID=55550

Dr. Roberson was one of the finest Christian men I have ever known. He was one of my mentors and role models. In 1968, Dr. Roberson and his Tennessee Temple University conferred a Doctor of Divinity upon me...

...That generation of church leaders – including Drs. B.R. Lakin, G.B. Vick, Dallas Billington, Billy Graham, Bob Jones Sr., W.A. Criswell, J. Harold Smith, Bill Bright and many others – were fearless representatives of Christ. They continue to inspire me and younger generations today.

Dr. Roberson was one of the great preachers of that generation and was once described as the Charles Spurgeon of his time...I am thankful to have known Dr. Roberson.