Acie Ford, A Man of the Cloth
Part One of Three Interviews.
As Associate Pastor of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, Acie Ford serves in the pastoral ministry of the church. From that position, Acie is known by the people of Broadmoor as a man of few words and a tender heart. As he quietly serves God from a spiritual gift of mercy, those who know Acie know he loves the Lord.
Acie worked in men's clothing stores through school, college and even through his early years of bi-vocational ministry. He has been jokingly called, "a man of the cloth" by his friends. I've often spoken of Acie and referred to him by a much more appropriate description, "a man after God's own heart".
All around the world, people know Marolyn, Acie's wife of 38 years. Her testimony speaks of God's miraculous healing of her eyesight after 12 years of blindness.
It happened one night in the Summer of 1972 before Acie and Marolyn retired for the evening. Acie, there beside their bed, fell to his knees and cried out in desperation to God one more time - "God, heal Marolyn if it will bring glory to your name. I know you can!" It must have brought glory to God because He healed her - right there - immediately and completely!
In this series of interviews, I have the unique privilege of sharing with you my intimate conversation with Acie Ford. But I must tell you that what I know of the man comes primarily from spending time with him over the years and listening to him brag about Jesus. I know you will be as blessed by his testimony as I have been.
Jim Green, March 3, 2000
Today, on February 20th, 2000, I have the pleasure of interviewing Acie Ford, an Associate Pastor of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. When I met you, Acie, it was 17 years ago. I think I know you fairly well, but I would like to find out more about your life leading up to the time we met. Your wife has blessed so many people, particularly my own through her testimony, but even more so through her friendship, fellowship and prayerful intercession. I desire to know more about you Acie, not to exclude Marolyn, but rather to learn about you as a man. Will you tell me something about your early years?
ACIE: I'm from Bastrop, Louisiana, near Monroe. I spent my entire early years growing up there. I had a brother named James Hersholt, named after an actor of that day. I had a sister named Monica who was named after a nun in the hospital where she was born. I had a second sister named Hazel who was a dwarf. She stopped growing when she was seven years old. We called her "Little Hazel" because she was only 42 inches tall. I really think Hazel had a lot to do with what I am today and how I look at things.
My dad became a Christian back in the early 40's. Before that he was drinking and involved in all sorts of things that didn't honor God. Then, a man named W.R. Rogers came all the way from Iowa to pastor our church, the Cherry Ridge Baptist Church. Brother Rogers attended school where Billy Graham was President, and it wasn't long after he started preaching that he confronted my dad with the gospel. My dad accepted Jesus Christ. That's when our family life turned around. You see, our family and the pastor's family became very close. In fact, the pastor's son and I were best friends and my dad and our pastor were as well. You know, in those days everything was centered around the church anyway. To add to it, my closest friend Phil, was a P.K, you know - a "preacher's kid".
JG: What was your pastor's ministry like, Acie? Was he evangelistic or pastoral in his preaching?
ACIE: He was a Bible teaching pastor and knew God's word better than anyone I've ever known. Mostly pastor-teacher, but he could really preach.
JG: Were there any preachers in your family before you?
ACIE: No, my grandfather wanted to go to the mission field, but he never went. He was a Colonel in World War I.
JG: It must have been strange to be the first person in the family to aspire to be a minister. What did your family think about that?
ACIE: They were fine with it. Some of them always thought I would become a minister.
JG: Did you demonstrate a minister's heart, or had you told them you thought you might become one some day? Or was it your temperament?
ACIE: I would have to say it was my temperament. When I was a child God really spoke to me deeply. I would go down the aisle of the church, not knowing what I was looking for. But I would go there and pray. It seemed I was at the altar almost every service. I grew up in the fifties. The Lord was really working. Churches were full on Sunday night. The buildings were packed and we would have those evangelistic meetings on Sunday night.
JG: Do you remember where and when you were saved?
ACIE: Yes. I was eight years old and my mother led me to Christ. She witnessed to me after a Sunday night service. I had been real emotional that day. I went down front to pray and talk to the pastor. Later that evening, Mom realized God was talking to both my brother and me. He was seven and I was eight. That night, she led us to Christ and I knew there was something different that had happened in me. I joined the church after that. My life pretty much stayed clean and pure after that.
My childhood school and church are still standing today. The funny thing about it was that our family lived behind the church separated by woods. We had to go through the woods in order to get to the church. We had to make a path to get there. Of course, the pastor lived next door to the church in the parsonage.
JG: We've prayed for your mother this year as she faced surgery. She is still living. How about your Father?
ACIE: My mom is doing well. John Roberts, my son-in-law died in August, 1992; then my father died a year later in the same month.
JG: You mentioned that your dad was an alcoholic. Was your mother a Christian while your dad was drinking? What did she think about that and do you remember how it affected your family life?
ACIE: Yes, she was saddened by Dad's lifestyle and didn't like what he was doing at all. But my Dad became the greatest Christian I ever knew. I don't remember much about his life before Christ, but his "new" life influenced me more than I can tell you.
JG: What was his name, Acie?
ACIE: Acie Willard Ford. He was called, "Willard." I was named Acie as well, but I have my grandfather's middle name, Leonidas.
JG: Is this the grandfather that wanted to be a missionary?
ACIE: Yes, that's right.
JG: My family is from middle Louisiana also. I know that the paper industry employed many people there. What kind of work did you do when you were growing up?
ACIE: I worked in a clothing store called Jerry's Men's Shop. I was thinking that just today. The first thing I learned to do was to tie a knot in a tie. I thought if I could learn how to tie a knot in a tie I would be a good salesman. Sure enough, I learned. In fact, I worked my way through school, college and later supported my wife by working in a men's clothing store. It all started when I was a junior in Bastrop High School. I went through a Distributive Education program in school where I worked while I studied - kind of' like a trade school and an apprentice program all tied into one.
JG: Tell me how you determined where you would go to college.
ACIE: Phil influenced me, I think. I've already told you we were the best of friends. I was a year behind him and felt like it was the right thing to do. He had already completed one year of study at Northeast State College in Monroe, Louisiana; and I was pre-enrolled to major in Business. Then, one night while Phil and I were driving around, you know, just hanging out - it hit me like a two by four!
It seemed like God said, "Acie, you didn't seek my direction where you wanted to go to school." I turned to Phil and told him I didn't feel comfortable with my decision. Attending school with my best buddy just seemed like the right thing to do, but I had never really prayed about it. Phil told me I should talk to his dad about it and that's exactly what I did. I went to talk to his dad, my pastor.
When I explained how I felt, my pastor thought I should consider Tennessee Temple Baptist College in Chattanooga, Tennessee, instead of NE State. He knew a professor there named Mark Cameron. That would give me at least one person as a point of reference. I followed his advice and a peace came over me and I knew God had a plan for me.
I enrolled at Tennessee Temple and went to look for Mr. Cameron. What I found was that he had moved to another school and was no longer at Temple. Now, I was at a strange place where I knew no one. I had never fully committed to preach at this time, but was seeking God's leading. Man, was I was scared. A kid from a small town finding themselves alone in the big city like Chattanooga was enough to frighten a boy.
JG: When you learned that Bro. Roger's friend was gone, did you have second thoughts about where God had led you?
ACIE: Sure, I had second thoughts, but I knew God was in it. I often wondered exactly what God was leading me to do. But the first thing I did was find a job - working at another men's clothing store, Dean's Clothing Company. My whole life seemed centered on two places, downtown Chattanooga and the college campus. I was ready to drop out after one semester because I could not pay my school bill, and my studies were suffering because of my workload. It was then that God took me to a scripture in Psalm 55:22: "Cast your burden upon the Lord and he will sustain thee". To me, my burden was a school bill, a job I didn't like, and an absence of any friends. I had nothing! It's as if God's word was telling me - "Put it on me". And I did!
JG: Now, stop right there! How did you do that? How did you "cast your care on God"? A young man, strange city, running into an emotional brick wall.
ACIE: By faith, I did it, I guess. God told me I didn't have to carry my burden. His word says He will give us strength. You know, I had already planned to drop out of school and go to the military. I was ready to do anything - anything but what I was doing at that time. But then, I felt like God placed his hand on me and said, "Don't move"!
JG: Like a tree planted by the water?
ACIE: That's right. "I will never suffer you to be moved! You stay right here and finish this." I had an overcoming sense that I was where God wanted me. For the first time in my life, I felt I had a mission. I was where He had led me. Now He wanted me to finish it.
JG: It seemed you wanted to move in order to "make" something happen. But God wanted you to look for Him to move. I've often tried to "fix" my situation and God would give me a reminder that He had not forgotten where I lived. He wants me to lean on Him - especially when I am in an uncomfortable situation. I think, in a moment of your weakness, when you were praying and least expecting it, God gave you a confidence much like He has me. Did anything peculiar happen afterwards?
ACIE: I felt an immediate peace. That verse came "alive" to me.
JG: But you still had the burden - the need. When did your situation change? You had no money to stay in school.
ACIE: Oh, I forgot to tell you. I had planned to drop out of school before going down to sign up for the military. When I approached the office to tell them, they told me, "Acie, somebody's paid your school bill". I asked who did it but they wouldn't or couldn't say.
JG: Paid your school bill? Who knew about your need?
ACIE: I don't think very many people knew. I would constantly pray about it, but I don't recall telling anyone I had to have $300. I've always been a very private person. You know, to this day, I don't know who paid that bill.
JG: God sustained you, Acie. I'm sure you must have thanked God for His intervention in your life. Your life was about to take a radical wrong turn when God kept you on His course. He "stayed you". But I have to ask you, since God kept you at Temple, didn't you wonder WHY He was keeping you there? I mean, you hadn't yet felt God's call to pastor, had you?
ACIE: No, not yet. I was enrolled in the secular side of Temple College, not the "preacher" side. At a young age, I surrendered to serve God, but did not surrender to the ministry when I was a child. My best friend was a son of a minister. I saw the life of a minister close up and I had no particular desire to lead a life like that.
Some other changes I noticed was a significant increase in my love for God's word. Then I was elected President of my class. That was amazing, because I had been incredibly shy in my first semester of college. That to me was amazing.
JG: It seemed like you had gained confidence in your demeanor. At what point did you overcome that shyness, Acie?
ACIE: January 11, 1960, I was called to the ministry, right before I met Marolyn. I was in second year in Bible School. Temple was centered about Highland Park Baptist Church. We had about 3,000 members in attendance. It was a big church. Much like Criswell, Temple grew out of the ministry of Highland Park. I don't know why, but I just wanted to be with God - in the day and night time. I would deny myself meals at noon. I might wind up at Krystal on the way to work, but I would take my Bible out, read it and pour my heart out to God in prayer.
JG: You said you wanted to spend time with God. What was that like? Was He calling you to pray or were you already in prayer when you felt the "pull".
ACIE: I don't know much about prayer. All I know is that I wanted to be with Him all the time.
JG: Don't you think most of us have the wrong impression about prayer? I grew up thinking that prayer was folding my hands and "having a little talk with Jesus". As I matured, I felt a "pull", just as you described - a desire to be with Jesus. It could happen anytime - in the middle of the day, in the middle of class lecture. Tell me Acie, when did prayer really start to play a part in your life?
ACIE: When I was a freshman in college I was asking God to show me if I should quit school. I would go and lay the Bible down and begin praying. Every young man struggles. I was struggling with the desire of the flesh - desires of the spirit. And I would just start reading the Word. I would spend a lot of time "praying the Psalms".
The scripture might say, "Bless the Lord". I would then speak the Word back to God saying, "Bless you Lord. Lord, with all that is in me, I bless your holy name". Or, "Lord, you are my shepherd. You are my strength. You are my rock. You are my shelter in time of storm." At first I would think, this is wonderful. This is where I'm supposed to be. And I thought, "I'm going to be called to a life of prayer". I began to read great books on the subject of prayer.
JG: Who were some of your prayer heroes?
ACIE: George Mueller. R.A. Torrey, and Hudson Taylor . I wore out an old King James Bible that I have to this day. God gave me a real good memory for scripture. I thank God in those early years that I had that desire and ability. Prayer and scripture go together.
JG: I agree with that. Can you tell me more about your call to the ministry?
ACIE: My call to the ministry was the most unique experience in my life. We were getting ready for revival at school. We had a visiting evangelist and music leader coming. We were supposed to go up for the time of prayer. And I went up there, and God just filled that room with His presence. My hunger for scripture, my Bible reading - all of it seemed to "hit me" like a ton of bricks". He that hungers and thirsts shall be filled." God filled that longing in me and He turned me around. I was no longer a shy man. I couldn't go to sleep at night. I stayed up thinking about the early disciples and the power of the Spirit. I had just read a book by R.A. Torrey called The Power of the Spirit. I didn't know what that meant; but the next day, I was a different person.
JG: Can you explain that?
ACIE: Well, one professor said, "Acie, Your personality's changed. You're outgoing!" You know, I was young. I was controlled by the Spirit. At least I felt that way. I had a new joy in my life. I wanted to be whatever God wanted me to be. I felt like I was called to a minister of the gospel. I AM a minister!
JG: Acie, it seems that God "gave you" confidence - not in your own ability, but in your faith in God.
ACIE: Yeah, that's right. Overnight! January 11, 1960. It was a spiritual experience that I did not have as a child. I had accepted Christ, but I never had that fullness of the Christian life.
JG: Did your lost friends see any change?
ACIE: At work I would always walk away from dirty jokes. My employer would tease me about my Christianity, but he always had respect for me. His mother ran the store and he was manager. I was a little timid about sharing my faith before my "call". But afterwards, I would openly carry my Bible to work and read it during break. I would often go to other businesses to witness. I would street preach, preach at jails and children's homes. That was a definite change! And, God had to do that to me or I would not have listened. In fact, every time God has talked to me, it was like I had been "hit by a two by four"!
JG: Where do you find your self when God "hits" you like that?
ACIE: It's at the time when you least expect it. I think it's sudden when God speaks to you. I was seeking His will and His word says, "When we search after him, we shall find him." When we seek Him with our whole heart.
JG: When we seek Him, He impresses us that we have a word from God. Is that not what happened when you received the call to minister. Your whole life changed suddenly. You became bolder in your witness, with a holy confidence. You knew God wanted to use you even though you did not know how He wanted to use you. After God "hit" you, you began to act on conviction, centered on prayer, going where He wanted you to go regardless of the consequence. All this happened before you met Marolyn, right?
ACIE: That's right. You know, I didn't realize it at the time, but Marolyn started praying for me when she was twelve years old. I thought about that the other day when she was giving her testimony. Her prayers followed me all the way through school! God protected me while she was praying. By that I mean, God did it. But, isn't that amazing? We've been married thirty-five plus years and it never sank in like it did the other day.
JG: I've learned that when Marolyn prays for you, God listens.
ACIE: Under a clothesline in Michigan, God spoke to her while He was speaking to me. Somehow God brings it all together, doesn't he?
[ Watch for Part II of the interview with Acie. ]
