Theodore Austin-Sparks (1889-1971) s-a nascut in Londra, intr-o familie in care numai mama lui era credincioasa. O parte din studii le-a facut in Scotia. Aici, intr-o zi a anului 1906, atentia lui a fost captata de un grup de tineri care marturiseau pe strada despre experienta lor crestina; in ziua aceea T. A.-Sparks si-a predat viata in mana lui Isus Cristos. Dupa ce s-a intors la Londra, s-a implicat in viata comunitatii evanghelice. Un mare impact a avut asupra lui trezirea din Tara Galilor, precum si vietile unor oameni ai lui Dumnezeu, ca Oswald Chambers, F. B. Meyer, Jessie Penn-Lewis, A. J. Gordon si A B. Simpson, cunoscuti de el in mod direct sau prin intermediul scrierilor acestora.
Dupa ce intre 1912 si 1926 a slujit, pe rand, in trei biserici din Londra, in 1926 a infiintat, impreuna cu altii, Centrul pentru Conferinte si Partasie crestine, de pe strada Honor Oak, unde a slujit cu Cuvantul, pana la moarte. A publicat revista periodica "A Witness and a Testimony" (Martorul si marturia). De-a lungul anilor a fost invitat in diferite locuri pentru a vesti Cuvantul. Mesajele rostite de el au fost transcrise si publicate in mai mult de o suta de carti.
Mesajele lui T. A.-Sparks au revelat centralitatea lui Cristos, precum si lucrarea crucii in viata crestinului.
Cei care l-au cunoscut personal au fost adanc impresionati de viata lui profunda de rugaciune.
"In tinerete am avut privilegiul de a fi in preajma lui [T. A.-Sparks] si de a observa dorinta lui puternica de a-i conduce pe oameni la o cunoastere mai profunda a lui Dumnezeu si la o intelegere sporita a cailor Lui... Foamea trezita in mine prin slujirea acestui om al lui Dumnezeu imi mentine puternica dorinta de a creste in harul in cunoasterea Domnului si Mantuitorului nostru Isus Cristos."
-- Dr. Eric Fischbacher, Falkirk, Scotia
T. Austin Sparks (1888 – 1971)
He was ordained as a Baptist pastor at the age of 24, and from 1912 to 1926 led three congregations in Greater London. During these years, he was also closely related to Jessie Penn-Lewis and her publication and speaking ministry, the "Overcomer Testimony."Among the many books that he wrote, at least three are regarded as Christian classics: The School of Christ, The Centrality and Supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ and We Beheld His Glory. The primary theme of Sparks' books is the exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ. He mentored Watchman Nee for many years and was very influential in his understanding of the Church Life.
Recommends these books by T. Austin Sparks:
Daily Open Windows: Excerpts from the Messages of T. Austin-Sparks
Discipleship in the School of Christ by T. Austin Sparks
More of Christ: From "The Stewardship of the Mystery" by T. Austin Sparks
"Mr Sparks", as he was affectionately known, was born in London, England in 1888. He came to know Christ as a teenager and later became a Baptist pastor. However, his "ecclesiastical" career took a decidedly different direction when a physical crisis brought him to a place of brokenness.
At the same time God also delivered him from his previous prejudice against anything that was related to the "deeper life". As a result, he joined Jessie Penn-Lewis in the ministry of the spiritual growth of believers; a ministry to which he devoted his life and which also cost him his reputation and his career in the denominational circles of England.
He was based in southeast London at Honor Oak Christian Fellowship which is where Watchman Nee met and fellowshipped with him during a visit to England in 1933. Nee's refusal to disavow Austin-Sparks later became the grounds for him being disfellowshipped by the Taylor Brethren. It has been said that Watchman Nee considered Austin-Sparks as his spiritual mentor, and their fellowship appears to have been rich and fruitful.
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