Wayne Bristow

Evangelism Coordinator

As a child, Wayne Bristow dreamed that he would be an artist.  And in a sense that is what he has become.  As a writer and evangelist, he paints word pictures for people, allowing them to see what life is like without Christ while showing them the beauty of real life in Him.  

As Evangelism Coordinator for Edmond’s First Baptist Church, he has the responsibilities of training and involving our people in effective personal evangelism ministries.  His goal is to see evangelism maintained as the priority of our great church.

Wayne is always happy to talk about his beautiful wife, Robbie, and their life together.  He says, “We were married while students at Wayland Baptist College.  We both have West Texas roots.  Robbie is from Levelland and I am from Muleshoe.  We lived in Lubbock for 21 years and still have many friends in that area.  Robbie’s sister and our brother-in-law live there.  For many years, Robbie was the executive secretary for Dr. Clifford Jones, for whom the football stadium at Texas Tech University is named.  We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary on August 25, 2008.  We are still best friends and very much in love!”

He goes on to say, “Our son, Rob, and his wife, Sarah, and our exceptional grandchildren, Andy and Serenity, live in Rogers, Arkansas.  He works at Wal-Mart’s international headquarters in Bentonville.   He is a chef, employed by the company that does the food service for all of the employees at the Wal-Mart HQ.”

Wayne says that the best part of his life, right now, is the delight of family and being a member of the great team at Edmond’s First Baptist Church.  He loves to laugh at old Bud Abbott and Lou Costello routines.  He likes to watch puppies play, hear the laughter of babies, and hear elderly people tell good stories.  His favorite “eating out” meal is a good rib-eye steak at Cattleman’s in Oklahoma City’s Stock Yards section.  He enjoys listening to classic jazz on his iPod while walking their Miniature Schnauzer, Shadow.  He is hooked on college football and basketball.  He likes the Dallas Cowboys and enjoys being at any major league baseball game.  He is hopelessly romantic.  Outgoing around people, he is perfectly happy being alone for a complete day.   He says that experience has taught him the importance of being flexible.    

Wayne, like most writers, enjoys reading.  His favorite biographies include Borden of Yale, Through Gates of Splendor, They Called Him “Mr. Moody,” and Memoirs of George Whitefield.  When asked about favorite books from recent reading, he replied, “I have been stirred by reading Riding the Wind of God by Bruce McIver.  It is the story of the youth revival movement that began on the campus of Baylor University and swept our nation following World War II.  It reminded me that God has often ignited the fires of a spiritual revolution through young people.  Reading the updated version of The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman opened my eyes to the reality of globalization and its impact on our daily lives.  Rereading Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J. I. Packer, and I found fresh confidence and authority for doing the work of the evangelist.  Reading Lenin, Stalin and Hitler by Robert Gellately has made me hope that today’s leaders will not forget the lessons of history.

When asked what makes him smile he replied, “seeing young people commit their lives to Christ, hearing a congregation enthusiastically sing great hymns, and watching Shadow play at Edmond’s dog park.”

Wayne sensed that God was calling him to preach the gospel as a 16-year-old high school student.  He is a 1955 graduate of Muleshoe High School and a 1960 graduate of Wayland Baptist College (now, Wayland Baptist University). He attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  During his high school days, he was influenced by Barbara Gaither, his speech and drama coach; “Scoop” Forbes, his first writing mentor, the editor of his town’s weekly newspaper and his boss; and by Odis ("Pop") Echols, the owner of KCLV Radio in Clovis, New Mexico, a great encourager of young people in whom he saw promise.  

In college, his evangelism professor, Dr. B. P. Maddox, was used to shape his theology, teach him methods and lift his vision regarding evangelism.  During three summers of work in the Pacific Northwest, Wayne was blessed to have Ed Seabough, the director of Baptist Student work for the Northwest Baptist Convention, as his mentor.  While at Wayland, Miss Ailese Parton, the director of public relations, was his boss, challenger and writing mentor.  He says, “These people were placed in my life at the right times to shape and guide me.”

Wayne will celebrate his 73rd birthday on July 10, 2009 and has been preaching for over 50 years.  His goals are to be faithful and obedient to the Lord and to “finish well.”  He says that he is “most thankful that God’s grace was extended to me as an 11-year-old boy during a West Texas revival meeting.  I am thankful for the convicting and drawing power of the Holy Spirit that brought me to Christ.”  And most recently he’s learned that “God is awesomely faithful and more than enough for all that we need.”  He says, “This really came home to Robbie and me during my battle with cancer in 2002/2003.  Now, we are in a watch and wait attitude regarding a second challenge.”

When asked what one sentence he thinks has the potential to change someone’s life forever, he replied, “The promise of John 1:12 concerning our Lord, Jesus, ‘But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name.’”  

Wayne’s life has been about leading others to Christ.  It is fitting that his favorite Bible verse is 2 Corinthians 4:5, “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”