He was born in Ollie, Alabama, on July 14, 1931. Have you heard of Ollie? I had not. It has been described as a little crossroads community just south of Monroeville in Monroe County, Alabama. Yet, in this little community, a boy was born that would grow to be very influential man in the lives of many people. His name was Robert C. “Bob” Hanks. Here is a friend’s (Greg Moorer) description of Bob Hanks: He “is one of the most impressive people that I have ever known. His intelligence was off the scale. He could discuss any subject with knowledge and thought. He was also one of the nicest and most humble people that I have met. He would always ask me how [my] Daddy was doing with thoughtfulness and concern. I had the privilege of sitting in his Wednesday night [Bible] class on many occasions. He was always prepared as a teacher. His knowledge of scripture and the history covered in the Bible was quite incredible. His willingness to teach and share that was an incredible blessing for the Creekwood church. His knowledge of the history of the church in the Mobile area was extraordinary, and we are fortunate that he was willing to share that knowledge in book form. [He wrote a book entitled A History of the Churches of Christ in Mobile.] It's just a wonderful and faith-building experience to know Bro. Hanks, and the memories of him and his life of service and love for the Lord will continue to strengthen and encourage us until we see him again. It is wonderful to know that he is experiencing the peace that his Lord, whom he served so well, has promised.” A measure of a man’s life is the influence that he has had on others. In my estimation and others, one’s influence in leading others to follow Jesus is the supreme measure of a man’s life. In that regard, Bob Hanks excelled. He was a man of faith and faithfulness to His Lord. He was a dedicated servant of God. He loved the Lord, the Word of God, and the church. His love for the Lord was displayed in his faithfulness. His love for the Word of God was manifested in his study and teaching of the Book of Books. For example, he taught the Bible from Genesis to Philippians, verse by verse, over a 21-year period in his Wednesday night auditorium class. He wanted to lead his class all the way through the book of Revelation! His love for the church was demonstrated by his faithfulness to the worship and work of the church as well as an in-depth study of the history of the churches of Christ in Mobile. Through his teaching and his example, he encouraged others to follow Jesus and be faithful members of the church for which Jesus died. Bob Hanks wanted all to know that Jesus is the Savior and that studying and heeding what God’s Word teaches is the way of salvation. He wanted others to know that God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before others (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ (Acts 2:38). Bob encouraged others to continue to walk in the light of God’s Word so that the blood of Jesus would continue to cleanse their heart and lives from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9).  For Bob, what is most important is one’s relationship with God. May his life and legacy of faith and faithfulness continue to lead others to Jesus. * In loving memory of Robert C. “Bob” Hanks (July 14, 1931 – December 22, 2024). Until we meet again.

In 1988, Anissa Ayala was sixteen years-old and diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. The doctors said that if she did not receive a bone marrow transplant after chemotherapy and radiation treatment she would die. Neither her parents nor her brother was a match, and they could not find a donor elsewhere. Her parents, both in their forties, conceived another child and hoped that the child’s bone marrow would be compatible with Anissa’s. To their great delight it was determined that this new baby was a compatible donor. When Marissa Ayala was fourteen months-old, they took some of her marrow and gave it Anissa. Anissa made a full recovery from the Leukemia and both sisters went on to live healthy lives.  In a very real sense Marissa saved her sister’s life. She later said, “Without me being a perfect match for my sister, she would not be here.” * Because of our sins, we have a fatal condition, “for the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). But God loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son into the world to save us (John 3:16). Jesus was born as a baby – God in the flesh – to identify with us (Hebrews 2:17-18), to show us the Father (John 1:18), and ultimately to die on the cross for our sins (1 Peter 2:24). He was the “Perfect Match” for us, for only the sinless Son of God who became man could pay the price for our redemption from sin (1 Peter 1:18-19). That is the reason He was born into this world, and that is the reason for which He died. He died for us so that we might live for Him and with Him in eternity. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NASB). God will save from sin and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9). Consider the birth, the life, and the death of Jesus on the cross. He was God’s Perfect Match to save us so that we might live. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).