Felix & Patsy Snipes w/ frank sheltonEvangelist Felix Snipes graduated and went to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 12, 2010. My wife, Ruth and I were having dinner at the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists Hall of Faith Banquet in Orlando, FL this weekend when I got the news that my friend, Felix died.

I knew that he had been quite ill and I last saw him four months ago in Atlanta, GA at the North American Missions Board “Hall of Faith” dedication with Dr Cliff Barrows of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and one of my heroes and fellow evangelist, Dr Junior Hill. Following the dedication of that beautiful room at NAMB it was my privilege to re-connect with Felix & Patsy Snipes and take a tour of that beautiful venue with them (above pic). I never knew it would be my last time seeing him this side of Heaven.

Felix, was many things to many people and one of the traits that I recall of him was he was FASHIONABLE. This brother was one of the best dressed men I ever met. He had more cufflinks than most have socks and yes, his cufflinks matched his socks! Members of Congress would do well to take notes from him and despite being confined to a wheel chair he would run circles around others in class, character and charm.

He was also PERSONABLE. God gave me a word years ago that the “Greats are Gracious.” Those that have done something in life are usually accessible, approachable and available to lend a helping hand. Felix was both: great and gracious. He led over 1,000 weekend revivals in his ministry and he started out as a Minister of Music and also became a magician in ministry. Multiplied thousands have come to faith in Christ because of his AMAZING ministry. What I remember about Felix most was his smile and I don’t recall ever seeing him without a smile. Part of that smile was the JOY he had in his heart because of his personal relationship with Christ as his Lord and Savior. I also believe he never got over the thought that the woman he adored said yes to him and were married for over 50 years. Patsy Snipes is one of the most elegant, lovely, Christ-honoring ladies I have ever met and truly the consummate preacher’s wife. Felix never took God or his wife for granted. Truly, we have much to smile about.

We were together the past three years in a row at the Southern Baptist Convention since I stepped out in faith to do the work of an evangelist. We connected in Indianapolis, IN / Louisville, KY / Atlanta, GA and spoke several times on the phone and corresponded via e-mail. He always had time to give a word of encouragement, wisdom or extend love. I admired how he intentionally went out of his way to bless younger evangelists like myself and make us not intimidated with what God had done through his yielded life. Plus, he gave all the glory to God.

The last time we talked on the phone, we talked about his days as a Christian magician. He talked about the importance in ministry to know when it was time for the minister to dissapear so The Master could appear (Jesus). On more than one occassion, he shared with me on the phone in the middle of the conversation: “Frank, I gotta dissapear.” That is how he ended our converation. I was always intrigued by that and shared with several friends and my buddy, Evangelist Eric Fuller from Texas about that statement. He was never rude but always real.

Lastly, Felix was not only fashionable, personable but HUMBLE. I knew he was a member of First Baptist Church of Atlanta and friends with Dr Charles Stanley. I didn’t learn until after his death how they met. Even more amazing, is how Dr Stanley got his job at FBC Atlanta. Harold Hendrix was in Felix’s wedding and he shared the following story: “Felix ministered extensively in music evangelism. In later providing music leadership at Percy Ray’s Bible Camp in north Mississippi, he met Charles Stanley. Charles invited Felix to lead music in ministry events in which Charles would preach. The friendship blossomed. When the Snipes moved to Atlanta and were invited to First Baptist Church, Felix was to eventually serve on the search committee seeking an Associate Pastor. Felix recommended Charles Stanley. The committee moved forward, and Dr. Stanley accepted the church’s “call.” In moving to Atlanta from Florida, Charles, Mrs. Stanley, Becky and Andy lived with Felix and Patsy Snipes for two months while looking for a house. In later becoming senior pastor, God further “raised up” Charles Stanley into his world-wide ministry through radio, TV, and print.”

The rest as they say is history. But what I love about Felix is he never set out to make history but share HIS STORY. The Gospel is sharing GOOD NEWS and the story that God’s sinless Son was slain for sinners. He died that “by faith” in Christ we could embrace and inherit ETERNAL life. Felix was fashionable, faithful and forgiven by the blood of the Lamb.

My friend, Felix (learned the art) of not only dying to self but the disappearing act that Charles Spurgeon preached so eloquently. A magician knows the art of the disappearing act. As ministers of the Gospel we would do well to model Houdini and John the Baptist in our daily lives to decrease so God could increase. A remown story tells the time when an American tourist went to hear Spurgeon preach. A church member of Spurgeon asked the tourist what did he think of his pastor after hearing the famed preacher preach? The man replied: ” When he first came out, I was not impressed. When he spoke, he said things I already heard. But something happened half way through his sermon, he (Spurgeon) dissapeared and all I saw was Jesus.”

God used Felix Snipes to bring Dr Charles Stanley as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Atlanta, GA. Dr Stanley’s IN TOUCH MINISTRIES in print, radio and tv has touched multiplied millions with the Gospel. This week, Dr Charles Stanley will officiate Felix’s funeral. Perhaps you have heard of Dr Stanley? Most likely, you are not familiar with my friend, Felix Snipes. Why? Because Felix disappeared once again so God and others could shine brightly. The Bible is clear: “Many who are first will be last and many last will be first.”

His last words to me echo in my ears: “Frank, I gotta disappear.” At the time, I thought it was a clever play on words to say I got to go. Especially, as a magician in ministry I thought he was implying to vanish in thin air or disappear. When they announced to a packed ballroom of fellow evangelists and friends this Saturday night in Florida that Felix had died I realized his words were deeper. Tears welled up in my eyes and my heart skipped a beat. My friend was gone on Earth but now Face to face with his Savior in Heaven the One he unselfishly dedicated his life, criss-crossing the Globe that folks could come to a personal relationship with Jesus.

Felix dissapeared, John the Baptist dissapeared and I am hoping to learn the dissapearing act too. Not as a magician or minister but a member of the Body of Christ. Truth is we all gotta go because a dying world needs all of Him and less of us. However, we can pledge anew to give God all we got for His Glory. Jesus is still in the soul saving business and my prayer is that others see Jesus in us. Sometimes we SEE more clearly when others are absent. The Bible says “to be absent from the Body is the be present with the Lord.” I have learned when we die to self, promote God and highlight others in our place we “dissapear” and encounter the sweet presence of God like never before. Thank you Felix and see you on the other side.