By Ron Smith
I interviewed two friends recently: Don Gillman, overseer of YWAM Taipei and SE Asian director of Frontier Ministries in YWAM, and one of the guest speakers at the Germany conference in November plus veteran Montana DTS leader Jon Justine.
Neither work with the SBS. Both read voraciously. I believe reading dictates and precedes ministry in many ways. Jon and Don, together with their wives have 60 years of missions experience. They have something to tell us.
Speaking with Jon, I asked him the following questions:
Ron: Why do you read so much?Jon: Dallas Seminary Professor, Howard Hendricks revolutionized my life by stating that the person I will be 5 years from now is based on two things: the books I read and the people I spend time with.Ron: What are you reading right now?Jon: “The Pleasures of God” by John Piper and the Short Stories of Sherlock Holmes.Ron: Describe Your reading program.Jon: I read a book a week. I began in 2001 reading a book a month but quickly moved to a book a week. I read everyday 30 minutes to an hour a day. I keep detailed records of what I read [see his reading lists from 2001 to 2008]. 1/3 are re-reads every year. Some are planned re-reads, some are not planned re-reads. I look for personal growth needs and read there. I find an area of interest and ask for recommendations from people I trust and then start reading.Ron: Has this helped your preaching and teaching?Jon: YesRon: Who is your favorite author?Jon: C.S. LewisRon: Where is the oddest place you have spent time reading?Jon: On boat on Lake Victoria in Uganda read, “Where there is No Doctor”
I then interviewed Don Gillman:
Ron: Why do you read so much?Don: I love to learn. I become stagnant if I don’t constantly read. Howard Hendricks stated that who I will be in 5 years is dependent on the books I read and the people I associate with.Ron: What are you reading right now?Don: Malcolm Gladwell, ,”Blink”.Ron: How do you do your reading?Don: I usually have a book with me in case someone is late to speak with me. I usually have a plan and read a lot late at night. I read at stop lights. I took the Evelyn Wood, Speed Reading Dynamics course many years ago which helped.Ron: How much do you read?Don: It is hard to say. Some weeks, 3 large books in a week [although, last week I read nothing]. If I have a long trip to the United States, I will read 4 or 5 books in a week.Ron: When did you start reading seriously.Don: When I got saved.Ron: What is the oddest place you have spent time reading?Don: While driving my car.Ron: Has it helped your preaching and teaching?Don: Yes, more than anything else if you include Bible reading.Ron: Who is your favorite author?Don: Wow, that is tough. Malcolm Gladwell and Patrick LencioniRon: Wow, that is 2 secular authorsRon: Any advice for us?Don: Yes, read more.
