In every generation the church is gifted with a few influential leaders dynamic

voices that emerge and leave an indelible mark on countless lives with the Gospel.

Pastor John, this would include you in our current era.

However, as you well know, all such leaders eventually exit the stage.

A harsh reality we faced this spring and this void left by such

leaders can evoke fear about the church's future. An anxiety put to words by

Natasha from Jacksonville, Florida in her email to you.

Pastor John, your ministry has built my and my husband's faith for the last 20 years, she writes.

We adopted three girls from Liberia inspired to not waste our lives.

I've always felt so much encouragement in my walk knowing on part of a larger body of Christian

believers and leaders. My problem is the fear that I find myself feeling over the state of the modern church.

Many leaders have fallen to temptation or quit the ministry altogether.

Seems very few last as long as the older generations did.

When Tim Keller passed away earlier this year,

I found myself worried over what leaders

and what quality of leaders will take the baton

in the future.

I know the Lord wants me to find my hope in him and him

alone however I find myself thinking negatively and would like some insight into

the hope of the Christian Church when the elder statesman, like yourself and Tim Keller, are gone.

This question has a special relevance for me because I can remember the very place I was standing on our back porch in Greenville, South Carolina,

when I was 14 years old as the fearful thought entered my mind what will we do if Billy Graham

...