John Boyd Sinclair JR
This information was obtained in a conversation between John Boyd Sinclair Jr and Bryan Coffey on December 27, 2010. This is John Sinclair’s testimony of his life and relationship with Jesus Christ.
John Boyd Sinclair Jr. was born and raised along the country side of Wayne County as well as his older sisters Alice, Clara, and Jean and younger brother Bob. John and his four siblings were raised by their father and mother John and Blanch Sinclair. John Jr. remembers his upbringing as being a strong and healthy upbringing within a home full of Christian love. While speaking with John he was sure to tell me that his parents would always make sure that grace was said before each meal, and often throughout the day each day they would do devotions and read other passages from the Bible. During our conversation, John said, “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t believe in Jesus as my Savior.” These words were said by John with such a humble attitude that all who could have heard him say these words would have been able to see the great relationship that John has with his Savior Jesus Christ.
At 13 years of age, John made his first public profession of Jesus Christ as Savior while he was at Bible School, this is also about the same time he began attending the Corydon Baptist Church where he continued his attendance until shortly after he and his wife Sharon married. Together John and Sharon raised a family of four children Debbie, Cindy, Boyd and Arden. When John was asked if he could think of any time in particular when it was evident that Jesus was working in his heart, he responded with an astounding response.
This is what he said,
“The crops were no good. I had no idea it was possible to lose so much money in farming. Lots of farmers were taking bankruptcy and committing suicide. There is no question; faith in the Lord got me through this tough time. The Lord was good to us. I have a wonderful wife to stick with me through this, through everything.”
This was an amazing story to hear from John. This story was about a time that he was referring to that was also known as the crop crisis or farm crisis in 1983. It is said that so many farmers and their families were really struggling through this tough time.
I later asked John if there are any specific Bible verses that really stand out in his life that he really loves and enjoys. The first verse he had for me was a well-known verse: John 3:16. This is a verse that really shows us the love that God has for us. John said to me, “Think of this love. Just think about it.” John also added to this question of mine that he has a poem he really enjoys. He learned it in his English Literature class while he was in grade school. He recited most of this poem during our conversation. This is a poem called Abou Ben Adhem.
Abou Ben Adhem
Abou Ben Adhem (May his trouble increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold;
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem Bold,
“What writest thou?” the vision raised it’s head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered “The names of those who love the lord.”
“And is mine one?” said Abou. “Nay, not so,”
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still, and said “I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men.”
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led the rest.
Author: James Henry Leigh Hunt
For John, this is a poem that he has known for many years and he thinks of it often. This poem really puts things in order for John. It helps remind him of the great importance of love for each other. In the poem Ben Adhem speaks these simple words, “I pray thee, then, write me as one that loves his fellow men.” These are the words John is thinking of when he thinks of this poem. This poem focuses on the love we must have for each other, towards all other men. John mentioned time and again that he just loves all other people. He said this with such a humbling voice.
In summary of our conversation I asked John if he had anything more he would like to add and his responses were, “I have had so many influences in my life from many angles. I am really thrilled with the instruction given to our church by Pastor AJ.”
John also suggests that I and others, who enjoy listening to radio talk shows, should tune into 107.9 sometimes for Hank Hanegraaff’s program known as the “Bible Answer Man.” He said much can be learned from this program.
John Sinclair is an elder of the Allerton Christian Church where he and his wife Sharon have been in attendance for over 30 years. John has many great years of service dedicated to the Allerton Christian Church as well as many more years in dedication to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.