BIO:Bascom Ray Lakin 1901-1984

   B.R. Lakin was born on a farm near Fort Gay, West Virginia. Although
his parents were devout Christians, it was not until he was 16 that he
was converted to Christ during a revival. The minister who baptized him
was the nephew of Devil Anse Hatfield, of the Hatfield-McCoy feud
families. One week later, he preached his first sermon, and soon after
became a circuit preacher, riding a mule to country churches near the
forks of the Big Sandy River.

   After attending Moody Bible Institute and pastoring several
churches, he was called to assist E. Howard Cadle at the Cadle
Tabernacle in Indianapolis, Indiana. Upon Mr. Cadle's death, he became
pastor and, during the next 14 years, the ministry grew until he was
preaching to 10,000 people each Sunday in addition to broadcasting the
services nationwide. He was given honorary doctorates by Bob Jones
University and Kletzing College.

   In the early 1950s Dr. Lakin began a 30-year itiner- ant ministry
that included the largest churches in America, averaging 50,000 miles
annually and 4,000 people weekly. He witnessed more than 100,000
conversions to Christ. His ser- mons were a combination of sanctified
wit, Bible teaching, and a strong appeal for people to come to Christ.

   After more than 65 years of preaching, Dr. Lakin "hung his sword on
the shimmering walls of the city of God," and went to be with the Lord
on March 15, 1984. His funeral was conducted at the Thomas Road Baptist
Church, Lynchburg, Virginia, and attended by more than 5,000 people.
