This issue of the journal is dedicated to one of my dearest friends, Dr. Art Farstad who went home to the Lord on September 1, 1998 at the age of sixty-three. The following are some of the comments we have received about Art from people who knew him and were touched by his passing:

“The news of Art’s death hit me in the pit of the stomach. He was such a vital force for the cause of grace and, more particularly, the mission of GES. I sent him a card saying that surely the Lord would raise him up because he was so vital to the cause in so many ways. But the Lord, who always knows better, knew that He wanted him home and that he had finished well.”

Dr. Earl Radmacher
President Emeritus
Western Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary

“Art was one of the most erudite men I ever knew; yet he never paraded it.”

Zane C. Hodges
Pastor, Author, Educator, Scholar
Dallas, Texas

“My condolences to Art Farstad’s family. I knew him to be an unfailingly gracious man. He will be sorely missed.”

Dr. Jim Congdon
Pastor
Topeka Bible Church

“I was greatly saddened to hear of Art’s home-going, though I rejoice that he is now with the Lord. The death of a loved one or friend is always a bittersweet experience, is it not? Art and I were at DTS together in the 60’s, though he was a few years ahead of me, and I always appreciated his testimony of life and word.”

Dr. George Meisinger
Dean
Chafer Theological Seminary
Huntington Beach, California

“From a human perspective we all would have liked him to be able to do more work for the Lord, but it is great to know that he is rejoicing with his Savior!”

Bob Rowley
Pastor
Grace Bible Church
Laredo, Texas

Art contributed much to GES. If it weren’t for Art, we most likely would not have a journal. He has been the journal editor from the start and the driving force behind this publication. He greatly improved all of our publications with his outstanding editing. On top of all this, he served on the GES board for nearly ten years.

He was the sweetest, kindest man I ever knew. When I was going through hard times, he would be there with a hug, a pat on the back, a word of encouragement, and ongoing prayer support.

This issue contains three articles specifically dedicated to Art: Frank Carmical’s eulogy, Jim Townsend’s reflections, and Frances Mosher’s presentation of a wonderful hymn Art wrote entitled Seasons of Rapture.

I will greatly miss Art. All of us who knew him will. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy of love.