It was with a sad heart that I heard that Dr. Howard Olds died this morning at 4:30 A.M. Dr. Olds was the senior pastor at Brentwood United Methodist Church. RT and I started attending that church when we first moved to Tennessee back in 1986. Our children grew up in that church. And even after we moved to a smaller church nearer our home a few years ago, Dr. Olds continued to hold a special place in our hearts.
Dr. Howard Olds
I remember a friend one time described Dr. Olds’ sermons as being like God himself speaking. That’s because of Dr. Olds’ voice. It was deep and booming. His voice wasn’t loud - but rather commanding and soothing. Dr. Olds’ sermons were always well-prepared. They were teaching sermons. I always learned something new and gained something from his sermons that would help me be a better Christian in the coming week. He was not only a gifted speaker but a deeply caring human being.
I’ve written before about listening to Dr. Olds’ “Faith Break” segments on the radio. Each Tuesday and Thursday morning around 7:45 A.M. for the past few years one of the local radio stations carried Dr. Olds’ “Faith Break” message. As often as possible, I would turn my radio to that station in time to hear “Faith Break” on those mornings. “Faith Break” was a wonderful ministry of Brentwood United Methodist Church.
Dr. Olds beat lymphoma into remission, but then colon cancer struck, and it was relentless. His family recently set up a CaringBridge website. I looked at the website again after I heard the news of his death this morning, and I read all the notes from people about how Dr. Olds affected their lives. A person never knows the extent of their influence, but I know that Dr. Olds’ influence was both deep and wide for many people.
I found a news story that includes a video of Dr. Olds. The story is about his battle with cancer and his final sermon at Brentwood. Click HERE to see it. The title of the sermon was “Don’t Stop!” as in “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow.”
God bless the memory of such a good and godly man. God be with his family and with his church.
Here’s a video of the song that Dr. Olds based his final sermon on. Listen to the words. Perfect words for Dr. Olds’ last sermon.
Video: Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow
Update: I looked at the Brentwood United Methodist Church’s website, and found a page of sermon archives. Dr. Olds’ last sermon, “Don’t Stop,” is there - along with many others. Listen to one or two or more. Click HERE to go to the sermon archives.
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July 23rd, 2008 at 9:03 pm
I learned alot from Dr. Olds sermons. I will miss him. He went out of his way to make each of us feel welcome at church.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I am sad about this. I only attended Brentwood church for a few months, but he made an impression on me.
July 27th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
“When you get where you are going, where will you be?” This part of Dr. Olds sermon has stayed with me since I heard it in 9th grade when Dr. Olds was the pastor at St. Paul in Louisville, KY. I find myself to this day asking this question as I venture down different paths in my life. I am very grateful to have had him as a pastor.
August 20th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
This delightful man was my husband. Thank you for the kind words celebrating his life.
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Dear Sandy - thank you for stopping by my blog and responding.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:14 pm