This will be blog one of a two part post. Walt Disney came out a couple years ago with a movie titled “NATIONAL TREASURE” starring Nicolas Cage. It is a fact, I love history and enjoy visiting historic buildings. This film was about catching up with legendary landmarks. God laid on my heart some time ago about the concept of mentorship and its more than revisiting landmarks but recalling great leaders of our time and learning from both. Over the years, I’ve been blessed to visit some NATIONAL TREASURES. Some “treasures” are institutions and others individuals. Yes, some are beautiful brick buildings and others blood bought believers. At times I have found a few literally in my backyard and others I had to drive a day or two to see them.

The first post will talk about MENtors and the second will be Monuments. God has been way too good to me. Mentors are men (and women) whose influence weigh a ton. When I think of mentor in my mind I often spell it intentionally menTON. Two years ago, I was with Judy Jacobs, Grammy Nominated Gospel singer backstage at an event and she told me to get a good mentor. She said: “Frank, a mentor can do more for you in a day than you can on your own in a decade.” How true!

Before I go further, it is imperative to realize that Jesus is the Master Mentor. We cannot go wrong when we follow His leading and leadership. Like the old 50’s tv sitcom “Father Knows Best.” Having said that it is good to find someone that we can link arms with, sit under and gain wisdom from a seasoned saint and soldier. Young Timothy had the elder Paul and we would do well to glean from a Godly gladiator.

I learned early in life that WHO YOU RESPECT IS WHO YOU WILL ATTRACT. Pride has hindered many folks from reaching their potential because they either let fear or arrogance stop them from seeking the wise counsel of another.

Just in the past 72 hours I was blessed to connect with some heroes of the faith and men who weigh a ton to God and me. On Thursday, March 9, I drove 400 miles to return to Bailey Smith’s Real Evangelism Conference in Indian Trail, North Carolina. It was a treat to return and catch up with Dr Smith and his son, Scott. They both are first class. For a couple years, I have been blessed to correspond with one of my favorite preachers on the planet – Dr Junior Hill. He is ALWAYS one of the first to respond when I send a mass email out and I knew he was scheduled to speak again at the conference. I was hoping to just say “hi” to him in the hallway and soak up his sermon and give him a big “high five” before hitting the road the next day. After driving eight consecutive hours I got a text from my buddy, Scott (Bailey Smith’s son) noting that I could go upstairs and eat with all the preachers whom were speaking at the conference. Ain’t God good?

I hadn’t had my plate in my hand for 60 seconds when I looked up and who entering the door was none other than one of my heroes, Evangelist Junior Hill. I first met Dr Hill in Indianapolis, IN at the Southern Baptist Convention (2008) and we reconnected in Louisville, KY and again two years ago at the Real Evangelism Conference in Indian Trail, NC (2009) and most recently in Alphraetta, GA (2010) at the North American Missions Board for the COSBE Hall of Faith Dedication. Brother Junior graciously took the time to film a “FRANK & FRIENDS” video with me. CHECK IT OUT HERE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nouAftpCIo

Just last week, on March 10, 2011 Brother Junior when he came in the room greeted everyone as usual with love and then said: “Dr Frank, why don’t you sit down with me and we will eat together.” Yes, THE GREATS ARE GRACIOUS! Next thing I know Dr Bob Pitman (the morning speaker) and beloved in ministry circles joined his friend, Brother Junior at the table. Now its the three of us and yes, I felt out of place but the graciousness of these two giants of the Gospel not only made a seat at the table for me but made me feel right at home.

Less than half an hour later, Dr Hill was now standing before a packed crowd behind the pulpit at First Baptist Church of Indian Trail, NC giving the evening message at the conference. Scott Smith and I were glued to our seat on the second row and I soaked it up like a sponge that hadn’t seen water in over a decade. His message was entitled “The Danger of Feel-Good Preaching.” I will remember that message and evening for as long as I live.

Immediately following Dr Hill’s sermon we were blessed to hear one of my other heroes of the faith, Dr Johnny Hunt preach. He is pastor of the wonderful First Baptist Church of Woostock, GA & FORMER President of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr Hunt fires me up every time I see him, listen to him or think of him. I first heard him preach LIVE in 1994, at chapel at my alma mater, Gardner-Webb Univ in North Carolina and we both are alums of that fine school. In my opinion, very few people on the planet preach with the precision and power of that pulpiteer. I love it when his veins pop out around his temples but I must confess even I get a little nervous when a vein streaks down the middle of his forehead when he preaches! However, if one is to go out that would be a great way to die preaching your heart out while extending an invitation to the lost.

Last year, when I was at Bailey’s Real Evangelism Conference my buddy, Scott (Dr Bailey Smith’s son) grabbed Pastor Johnny Hunt and asked him if he would take a couple minutes and film a “Frank & Friends” video with me? Once again, “The Greats are Gracious” and Dr Hunt (then President of the entire Southern Baptist Convention) and pastor of some 15,000 members didn’t blink and said sure. He stayed after everyone left to film a video with little ol me in the sanctuary of FBC Indian Trail, NC. I was so excited and just couldn’t wait to get to my hotel to look at the footage. Scott and I got to our hotel room and we learned that Scott accidentally forgot to hit RECORD on my video recorder and we never had that clip! SO CLOSE BUT SO FAR AWAY!! As Bro Junior would say, “that will bless you.” Wow, that will make you sick real quick!! Dr Hunt was so gracious and told me when we reconnect in Jamaica we can try it again at sea. Yes, the Greats are Gracious! Dr Johnny Hunt is certainly John the Baptist to me.

After his sermon last week I was blessed to connect Dr Hunt briefly and he said: “Frank, what’s up preacher!” Man, that one statement resembled the dinner I just had – it floored me and then he gave me a BIG hug. The dinner with Dr Junior Hill and a hug from Dr Johny Hunt later that evening made the 16 hour trip worth every mile. I would have walked to North Carolina just to fellowship with those generals in God’s Army. They both remind me of Jesus and their walk inspires me to give God my all.

On Friday afternoon, I was blessed to connect with another evangelist that I have admired from afar – Jay Lowder and he also preached at the conference. It was my honor to finally meet Jay in person and we have spent hours on the phone and after he preached the morning session he left a thousand people and asked me if I would like to join him, his assistant Eugene and their mutual friend, Josh QB to the Carolina Panthers (NFL) for lunch. Once again – The Greats are Gracious and this was another batch of Divinity Deja vu. We dined at a local chinese restaurant just outside of Charlotte and had a blast. It made the 400 mile trip much easier after feasting on the fellowship we just just shared. It gets lonely on the road and its imperative to connect with Godly friends. Check out www.JayLowder.com and he is the REAL DEAL.

On Sunday, March 13, I was honored to reconnect with my friend and Basketball Hall of Famer MEADOWLARK LEMON. He played 22 seasons with the legendary Harlem Globetrotters and he’s now an ordained minister/evangelist. It was my honor to submit a quote that was one of the forewords to his NEW book along with Bill Cosby, Michael Jordan and others. I first met Meadowlark when I was 13, in 1985 at a Globetrotters game and played for an hour with him on an NBA court (Washington Bullets) at a basketball clinic they hosted at the now demolished Capital Centre in Landover, MD. His wife, Dr Cynthia Lemon notified me via email last month that he was coming back to Washington, DC and then he called asking if I could help him get in a couple churches. God is good and I was blessed to get him into two local churches this past Sunday, March 13, 2011 to preach and it was my honor to drive him to both events, take him to and from the hotel, MC both services to introduce him and then on Monday, March 14 drove him at 7AM to Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, DC for him to catch a flight to NYC as he appears on Sean Hannity on FOX NEWS promoting his NEW book “TRUST YOUR NEXT SHOT.” On Sunday following the church service my wife, Ruth and son, Andrew and I were blessed to accompany Meadowlark (you guessed it) to lunch at Carrabbas in Waldorf, MD. This brother (me) loves to BREAK BREAD and faith, food and fellowship is where its at 🙂

Jesus spent time with his disciples while eating and this is a great atmosphere to learn from one another. This weekend, it was great to hear the wisdom from these giants and we learn so much more when we look, love and listen. When I look over my life so many people have played an enormous role from my parents to modeling Christ before me on a daily basis to countless others both anonymous and household names. My Dad and Mom are two of my heroes and it was great to spend time with them this weekend with Meadowlark. My friend, Dr Tim Lee has un-selfishly invested in my life and countless others for the cause of Christ. Dr Johnny Pope has been a constant friend in the trenches to me for over 20 years and these men will always be 12 feet tall to me. My Pastor Marvin Harris and Rev Jim Wood are giants to me too! So many others have and I will stop now for failing to mention them all but God and them know who has made a mark in my life. It has been said: “If you see a turtle on a fence post it didn’t get there by itself. It obviously had some help.”

Over the years, I have found the winners to be wonderful. It’s the wanabees you have to WATCH out for. Leaders whom love the Lord are for the most part – accessible, approachable and available. The one thing I am not afraid to hear is “no.” I can go to bed with hearing “no” but I cannot sleep pondering the four dreaded words: WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN?. More than money (outside of prayer) I would encourage you to find a mentor in whatever vocation the Lord has you. Mentors are men whose influence weigh a TON. It has been said: “Cemeteries are the wealthiest place on earth because so many took their dreams and wisdom to the grave without sharing and depositing them into others.” We must TAP IN to others before they TAP OUT of Earth. Mentorship is a win-win situation for both involved. Don’t delay reach out to a National Treasure today.