From Scott Dawson

These words come from Scott Dawson, who has been an honorable Kingdom warrior himself. He is a true example of how Ralph's voice will continue to echo long after he is gone. RW always told me that I needed to learn to preach like Scott Dawson.

What do I think of Brother Woerner? First, he was the first person that I had ever heard of called "Brother." Being raised in an ecumenical setting, we were fairly new to the evangelical world. However, he was also like a brother. He cared for his church with the intensity like a family member.

I still remember the days of "Kids For Christ" a radical approach to reaching students in the late seventies. After roller skating, a hamburger and a movie we would all listen to "Brother Woerner." I know he must have thought, "Who is listening to me?" The children were always high strung and motivated to be at the event on Friday night due to all of their friends being present. Well, let's see who was listening...

I was listening. I still remember Ralph's sermon on Daniel. It was the FIRST time I heard a preacher with passion. He walked back and forth shaking his hands with a demanding presence. His words were like a machine gun rambling off verse after verse after verse. Then, he called people to action. I do not think I ever listened to him without being challenged to respond to his message in some way. Now, I am carrying teh baton that Ralph handed me.

My friends were listening. During this time in my life there were many challenges. Drugs and alcohol had made their deadly appearance in the life of many of my friends. Although getting them to church on Sunday was difficult, man we had them on Friday night. If you think about it, when was the most tempting time in a teenagers life for alcohol? Friday and Saturday night. Not for these early teens, they were all at Westside Alliance.

The Nation was listening. It was here that God birthed in his heart the ability to send the message of the Gospel into homes across the nation. Millions of untold stories exist of people who became God's children due to the success of the Gospel Messenger.

Finally, God was listening. I cannot help but think that Ralph has heard the words we all aim to hear, "Well done my good and faithful servant." Ralph taught many lessons to many people and also to me. The final and probably the strongest lesson he taught was to finish well. Well Done Brother Woerner! I love you, I will miss you, and I will continue to carry the baton!

Scott Dawson