Tribute to Bro. Arthur Gamble

Tribute to the Life of Bro. Arthur Gamble.

I first met Bro. Arthur Gamble a few years ago. We were both taking chaplain training at UAMS. We instantly became friends, and have remained friends ever since.

Bro. Arthur, was far more then a friend to me. He was a mentor. As a young pastor he was always giving me advice. He was the man who persuaded me to start a church in Sheridan.

He taught me there is more to pastoring a church then preaching God’s Word. “He told me anyone could preach, but it take someone special to be a pastor.”

He said, “A preacher just preaches the Word of God, but a pastor loves the Lord, preaches the Word, and cares for his congregation.”

I have no doubt that Bro. Arthur cared for his congregation, he loved people, he loved inspiring people with his stories, but most important he cared for peoples souls.

Bro. Arthur’s example of what a pastor’s job is has stuck with me ever since.

When Friendship Baptist Church was formed and officially chartered. I asked Bro. Arthur if he would preach the first message; without, hesitation he graciously accepted. He closed the doors of his church, brought his congregation to Sheridan. To help us celebrate our new beginning. We had a great service, great food and great fellowship together

A year later Bro. Arthur, Invited me to preach at his Family Days Service, and we closed our doors and came to Little Rock, and I preached the message at New Direction Missionary Baptist Church. Again we had a great service, great food & great fellowship together.

I can tell you that I will miss my friend Arthur. I’ll miss his stories, Our prayer time together, his advice, and our fellowship.

I know this is not the end, and I know I will see my friend Arthur one day in Heaven. And we will pick up our fellowship once again.

Please allow me to read for you

2 Corinthians 5:1–8 KJV 1900

1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5

When Bro Arthur, was lying in his bed in the hospital . He was being ministered to by angels. And when God finally called Arthur home he was carried by angels to be in the presence of the Lord. Jesus tells us the story of the beggar Lazarus when he died that he was carried by angels.

Luke 16:22 KJV 1900

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

Luke 16:

I’m honored to be asked by Bro. Arthur’s family to say a few words. I will miss you Arthur, but I will see you again. Family put your faith in God’s hands at this time and remember one day there will be a glad reunion day.