My name is Forrest L. Keener. I
have been since the age of twenty five, in the Gospel ministry. During my
nearly fifty year ministry I have preached in more than thirty states in the
USA, three provinces in Canada, four states in Mexico, four states in India,
and essentially all over the Philippine Islands. I served as pastor of
Bethel Baptist Church, in Lawton Oklahoma, for Forty three years, from
January of 1960 to January of 2003. At that time I resigned the pastorate to
do full-time evangelistic work, as a missionary/evangelist, under the
authority of that same church. Being later lead of the Lord we moved our
residence to Oklahoma City and our membership to the Sherwood Baptist Church
of Oklahoma City Pastor Paul Brown.
I believe, and preach, the doctrines of free and sovereign grace. I have
written about forty Gospel Tracts, and about twenty books and booklets. I
began a publication called The Baptist Watchman in 1974 . We published and
distributed this eight page tabloid monthly, we distributed it free, for
twenty nine years, and its circulation became world wide. This resulted in
the organization of The Watchman Press, which has printed, assembled, and
distributed printed materials world wide. During the last years that I
published The Baptist Watchman, I did a short article each month which I
entitled "Keener Thoughts." When I resigned the pastorate, and ceased to be
editor of the Watchman, and even after it ceased to be published, in 2006, I
had many requests to keep writing "Keener Thoughts." I have, therefore, done
this via e-mail for the last couple of years, and now have been asked to do
it via a Blog Spot. I will be distributing Keener Thoughts by both e-mail
and blog now. I will also keep my current preaching itinerary published on
the blog. This will let you know the areas where I will be preaching.
A major part of my life and
ministry, during the last fifty years, has been careful Bible study. I have,
by way of reading the printed page, daily spent much time in the classrooms
of some of the most learned theologians the world has known. I have availed
myself of the study and writings of some of the most recognized students, on
most all issues of Bible doctrine, and more importantly, have purposed to
digest their work, not just have it on my shelf. My purpose has not been to
walk in the footsteps, or to echo the opinions, of any man, or group of men,
but to learn the meaning of the Holy Scriptures. I have enjoyed the honor of
being the guest speaker and classroom lecturer in a good many Bible Colleges
I have a total of eight degrees
from some of these Bible Colleges, two are honorary and six are "earned."
The integrity of these degrees must be left to the colleges which bestowed
them, as must every human credential. In any event, all these paper
certifications will wind up in someone’s trash, or storage bin, and will
decay almost as soon as this old body. However, my prayer is that, contrary
to these perishing certificates, I will have, by writing and teaching,
committed some of my study, and teaching, to faithful men who will also
teach others, thus perpetuating something of my life’s work. Something I
consider a most important part of my life’s work is "The Bible Institute of
Correspondence." It is an institute designed for ministerial students. It
comprises 96 college hours of serious Bible Study, which hours are
recognized by several resident Bible Colleges across the country. It
involves 384 outlines on major divisions of biblical study, and is
accompanied by 384, forty-five minute, taped lectures, along with
comprehensive tests which the student must pass. I spent many hundreds of
hours, over a period of twenty years, completing this work. Several hundred
students have studied in this institute, who are now pastors across the USA,
and in several foreign countries, especially in the Philippine Islands. My
prayer is that the labor of men furnished by this study may influence many
to faith in Jesus Christ. This institute can be acquired at a very
reasonable price, by contacting The Bible Institute of Correspondence,
Bethel Baptist Church, 1902 NW Columbia, Lawton OK 71507.
If I can be a
spiritual blessing in any way please let me know.
God Bless
In His
service by grace alone,
Forrest
Keener
