THIS IS A REPOST...ABOUT GREAT PEOPLE

Just Thinking, Sunday, December 12, 2010
Great people do not think of themselves as being great; they just go out and do great things. Dr. M. D. Treece has been one of the greatest students and teachers of the Bible languages, of this generation. He is a modern-day Charles Haddon Spurgeon to Pentecostal pastors and preachers all over our world. I have personally learned so much from him. When we spend time with the right people in our life-time, we can become the right person our self. From simply knowing, and being pastored by Dr. M. D. Treece, I can honestly say, “he is truly one of the most amazing giants to walk this earth, of all times.
Dr. M. D. Treece taught that the programs of the local church flowed out of the preaching from the pulpit. In other words, his preaching became the fountainhead for the ministry programs of Apostolic Temple United Pentecostal Church. The pulpit was the central focus for this great church. Praise and worship set the stage for the “Word from God” for each week. Today, much is written about “church growth” but little expressed about “pulpit growth.” There are many roles that we can fill as pastors, but our number one assignment is to be ready when we step into the pulpit. Dr. M. D. Treece believed that his number one assignment each week for more than fifty years was to be “ready in season and out of season.” If we fill the pulpit, we can expect the Holy Ghost to fill everyone in the building.
Over the years that I evangelized, I would often purposely take some weekends off my busy schedule just to go home to Apostolic Temple so I could watch and listen to my favorite preacher preach to the great people there. I remember once making a distinct effort to sneak in and sit on the back row, so I could feel the impact of this mighty man of God from the furthest possible place from the pulpit. On that particular Sunday evening, he was preaching his annual message “Past Feeling.” Although I had heard him preach that wonderful message many times before, I watched him preach it as though it was his first time, with such freshness and anointing. Dr. M. D. Treece preached with such passion that the entire congregation was moved to prayer, many were making fresh decisions as to where they would spend eternity. Today, it seems that such God-given crescendos are often replaced, in many churches, with man-made ideas and little to no anointing. To Dr. M. D. Treece, the preacher’s role developed the local church’s goal. When he walked into the church service, everyone knew who the leader of Apostolic Temple United Pentecostal Church was, because he led with authority, love and much compassion.
Dr. M. D. Treece has always made preaching the Word clearer to me than any other preacher I have ever heard. I have been one of many who have had the privilege to sit with him and his wife in his study and talk about the Word of God. His study was the place where he met with God and crafted thousands of sermon messages, prophecy conference notes, Bible studies, Camp-meeting and General Conference messages. His study was also the place where he penned the books he wrote and distributed to so many ministers of the gospel. His writings will forever direct and help the ministry of the Pentecostal movement around the world.
In his study was a vast library of study books and good reading though out the ages of time. His large desk was centered in front of these many library shelves. His large desk was set up in such a manner that he could leave one study for awhile and go to another study without removing his work. He would have his book writings on the desk to go to when he had the time to devote, go to the other section of his desk to prepare for his coming services or meeting. Dr. M. D. Treece progressive study was not because he had a large desk, a massive library, and a large beautiful study, but because he had personalized a process that directed his desire to stay fresh in the Word of God. I can almost envision some pastors contemplating having a large desk, large library and a beautiful study for their future studying of sermonic messages and still miss the real point. It is not the size of his desks, or the beauty of his study that has made the difference, but the reality that when a preacher has a process of study, time is redeemed and his sermon quality continues to rise over the years, as did Dr. M. D. Treece, my wonderful Pastor. What has made Dr. M. D. Treece the preacher he has become over his life-time was that he knew where he was going and had a process to get him to that place? Whatever looks so simple to those on the outside, this great preacher has paid a great price to keep himself in the presence of God, and to bring so many of us with him.
I may have met many men who are lovers of Christ Jesus, but never have I met another man who loved Jesus as much as Dr. M. D. Treece. When a pastor reads the books “The Literal Word” they will see the Word of God has been open and real to Dr. M. D. Treece. His passion to serve the Lord Jesus Christ is still overflowing into every level of his life, especially now in his conversations with his family and friends. When he has preached about Jesus, it has not been an uncommon sight to see him fight tears that were rolling down his cheeks.
Even though Dr. M. D. Treece has always been a public figure in Apostolic Temple and a strong voice in the United Pentecostal Church International, he has at the same time been a very private person. One thing I can personally say about him, he did not share his biblical insights until he had clearly thought them through and was ready to deliver them as God had given them to him. So much of what is often said in ministry today is made up of random thoughts or parroted expressions heard from another preacher, without much serious thought to how these ideas were marinated over a long period of time, this was never done by my pastor. When Dr. M. D. Treece preached to the masses or shared conversation or lessons with a few, the people knew they were hearing from a godly man who had truly thought through the subject before sharing. I have sat with him on many occasions and just in general conversation the nuggets I have taken with me have been so powerful.
Dr. M. D. Treece has been and still is the greatest man in my life. He is the best pastor and leader that I have ever had. He not only has been a student of the Word himself, but he taught me to love the study of the Word. He is the greatest orator that I have ever listened to, the best teacher that ever taught me, the wisest counselor that I have ever been counseled by. Dr. M. D Treece is the one that taught me what relationships are all about.
My wonderful pastor I do not have words to express my love and thanks to you so I will keep it simple.
Thank you for being who you are,
Rodney Bankens, your son in the gospel


As my thinking continues, Sunday, December 12, 2010
As I have gotten older in my years, I realize the old statement behind every successful man is a great wife. Sister Betty Treece is that wonderful individual who has been at the side of Dr. M. D. Treece all these many years.
Words cannot express my feeling to this wonderful godly lady. Sister Betty Treece is a very strong hard working leader at Apostolic Temple. She has never tried to take the place of her wonderful husband, but she has supported all his efforts and has stood with him in his ministry. Dr. M. D. Treece has always talked about her being “The Wind Beneath His Wings.” She has given him such positive support and still to this day is his strongest support.
I have never had a more positive, prayer warrior praying for me, my family and my ministry than this great lady. She has been a teacher to so many other women as to how to be a great wife, mother, grand-mother and pastors wife. So many families have survived failure simply because she has been there to give them so much great advice and counsel.
I have watched her support her elderly parents in their waning years, she did this with strength and dignity. She has been the strength of her family as they have seen Brother Treece face so many medical obstacles and she has been beside him through it all.
Sister Betty Treece, have two wonderful children that idolize her and Brother Treece. Their grand-children look up to them with so much respect, love and honor. What a wonderful family that they have.
Sister Betty Treece, I have heard her play the organ all of these years and her singing voice always moved me, because she is so anointed. What a gracious lady of faith she has always been. The strength she posses is beyond measure. She is always thinking of others above her own self. She is a gracious servant of the Lord, her family and the church she loves so dear. I know no greater lady that Sister Betty Treece. I am so thankful that this great lady has been a part of my life these many years. Such a great pastor’s wife she has been to all of us who have been a part of Apostolic Temple through-out all of these years.
To my wonderful pastor’s wife I really do not have the words to express my real feelings.
Thank you so much for simply being you,
Rodney Bankens, your son in the gospel