Don Wildmon
AFA/AFR founder
Reprinted from AFA Journal, March, 1993
November-December 1997 – Over the years God has blessed the efforts of American Family Association. Our numbers and effectiveness have grown, and I believe will continue to grow. That is both good and “be careful” news.
It is good news in that more people are getting involved in the battle and those additional numbers mean that the chances of success should be better.
The “be careful” news means that as AFA becomes larger and more effective, the chances are greater of forgetting where we have come from, why we are here and Whom we serve.
One of the things I have been very careful about in this ministry is the temptation of building myself into a “super saint” in the eyes of those who support our ministry. The temptation to do that literally scared the living daylights out of me early in this ministry. Individuals who support us came to see us sometimes in the same view that secular society sees the rich and famous, the “super stars.”
In recent years we have seen some who have headed national ministries embarrass themselves and the Gospel. I have always been afraid that I would do or say something which would embarrass God.
One of the greatest miracles in the New Testament is the fact that Jesus entrusted the work of his kingdom to 12 plain, ordinary individuals. One of them betrayed Him. The others had all the faults found in a cross section of humanity. But still He trusted them. Put the future for the entire Kingdom of God in their care. And miracle of miracles, they did not fail Him.
When God writes His book about the greatest Christian heroes, leading the list will be people unknown to the world at large. Mothers and fathers who gave of themselves. Individuals who went on loving even the unlovable. Individuals who died hardly ever having enough money to make ends meet, but who found a richness and love in life through the love of Christ. People down in the trenches fighting the battle against all odds, seeing certain defeat but refusing to give up. These are the “super saints.”
I have tried, over the years, to keep my perspective straight. God called me to do a work. Not necessarily to be successful as the world defines success. And from the time I began AFA I have reminded myself that I am no “super saint.” Fact about the business is, I’m no saint. That is something my enemies and I would agree on. I’m a sinner saved by grace. And, as the old country boy said, I ain’t perfect, just saved.
In fact, God needs simple soldiers more that He needs saints. Let us never forget that to be a soldier in the army of God is the highest life has to offer.
AFA supporters thank Dr. Wildmon’s wife
In a mailing last summer Dr. Wildmon asked friends of AFA to show their appreciation to his wife for her support over the past 20 years of the ministry of AFA. The following is her response to the hundreds of letters she received.
What a lovely way to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of AFA – to be surprised by letters of encouragement and appreciation.
Shortly after Don’s letter went out asking friends to write me, the mail started rushing to my door. The first five letters arrived July 2 and by the 7th the number had grown to over six hundred a day! I’m still receiving letters nearly every day. The total is well over 7,000. Needless to say, I’m still reading. I do plan to read every letter.
The letters were from all 50 states and a few foreign countries. Many said they could relate because of their own professions. A common thread came from coaches’ and ministers’ wives. I receive letters from people of many occupations – farmers, doctors, business professionals, housewives, etc. Some were very touching, including one from a terminally ill lady who wrote that her letter would probably be the last one she would ever write. One well written letter said that AFA was a thinking person’s organization.
The response was very humbling, rewarding and overwhelming. I didn’t know there are so many ways to express the same idea. An expression of love was in every card and letter. I deeply appreciate each of you for taking the time and effort to respond. I will remember the summer of 1997 as a very special time in my life. You are a special group of people in a class all your own.
Thanks for being part of our family.
Sincerely, Lynda. 
