Phil Bishop
Kinesiology, Alabama
When I arrived at the University of Alabama in 1984, I was ready to set the world on fire. But after two years there, I was trying to put out many fires.
Perspectives do change, but after 24 years of teaching here at Alabama, one perspective hasn’t changed. My most significant contribution to my university and to the world in general is my testimony in deed and word of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I Watched Rae Each Week
I was extremely fortunate in my first year at Alabama to be invited to our campus’ Christian Faculty Meeting. There I met Rae Mellichamp. Rae was older and much, much wiser than I. Fortunately he took me under his wing.
I watched Rae each week as he led our faculty group. My wife and I went with Rae and his wife Peggy to CLM (now Faculty Commons) national meetings in Dallas. I went with him to visit another university to help them start a faculty fellowship. We loaded up our kids in the summers and went to staff training in Colorado. Rae showed me the ropes, demonstrated commitment, and modeled campus ministry.
You couldn’t be around someone that much without them influencing you greatly. Rae changed my entire career. Because I was mentored by Rae, as I became more senior, I looked for others to mentor.
He Impacts Many Students
Matt Green came down from North Alabama to do a Ph.D. Matt was a Christian, so we spent a lot of time together. After graduation, he went off to begin a successful career of teaching and research. In fact, he was so successful that after five years we hired him back at my university. Now we spend even more time together, and he is one of our most faithful campus faculty members who also impacts many students.
Matt and I mentored Edward (not his real name). Edward came to our campus as a cocaine-addicted grad student. He found Christ, got involved deeply in a local church, and developed into an excellent teacher and researcher. Edward, Matt and I did a run of five or six miles together once or twice a week. Our conversation on our runs often turned to spiritual things. All of us benefited, and on occasion even changed our viewpoints on things.
In the New Orleans airport, I once met a man with 111 descendants. I remember that he had nine children, who had children, some of whom were old enough to have children. It dawned on me that my five children were miniscule in comparison to his 111. But, if my kids have kids…
So think about it. Rae influences me, and so is a spiritual grandfather to all I influence. I influence Matt, and he and I influence Edward. That makes Rae a great-grandfather, who is already a great-great-grandfather to those Edward is certainly influencing.
So, who are your eternal children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren?
© 2008 Phil Bishop Used by permission of Faculty Commons