From the Inspirational Teacher's series:
My dad is my dad (Brad Gunter Sr.). Born in hard working, blue collar, Oregon lumber mill family. Athletic to the bone, socially fun, and experienced in wide array of work. Vintage baptist preacher, 1970's church planter, and founder of a Christian school. Not a quitter, gritty, and fighter for good. He for sure is a character. He came to know Christ, who led him to Sacramento to plant the gospel, along with a wife and three sons. Much reflection can be done to his accomplishments. He might tell you of teaching stories about bus ministries, broken cars, eating gold fishes in front of kids, and usefulness of the mobile home as economical beginnings to a minister's life. As a dad, he was there when many were not. I learned work, sports, responsibility, respect, fortitude, conviction, tradition, grace, and love from him (also how to kill animals).
God used him and my mom to allow me to hear about Jesus as a kid. I am thankful for God using him to pave a way for me to attend college and seminary. We stand on shoulders as sons and my dad has strong shoulders. I hope our journey last just as long, just as deep, and just as far reaching as his. Happy father's day!
Here's the Q and A:
- What inspired you to teach?
What God put in my heart, as He gave me the desire to be part of other people's life; and I want to make a difference! Life is what we give or what we do to serve God. - Why do you teach the way you teach?
I teach to make sure people get the basic principle of what I trying to teach - drive the points or thought to the heart. - What teacher has had the greatest influence on you (parent, elementary teacher, pastor, professor, friend, colleague, etc.).
Christ has been the greatest influence by his Word and His love for me. Sid Long, my history teacher helped me to understand how to study. Several pastors throughout the years. My dad taught value of work and my mom taught value of family. Several coaches took time to help me. We never do this journey without learning from many life experience we face and what we allow to have part of our live. Also learning from my family, and directly from my boys. I feel we are never finished being equipped for the job God gives us. - Why was the teacher so influential?
More so, all the people that have helped me through the years have given me something that I needed to use in God's calling.
