Even now when I remember that event, my mind turns to thoughts of a greater race that will impact eternity. There is a more important race and a more important baton that has been dropped in the dust of neglect. We hear of the great needs on mission fields today but are disappointed at the few missionary candidates. Christian schools seek desperately for qualified, motivated teachers to complete their faculties, but with each year the individuals seeking to minister in Christian schools are fewer and fewer. Churches across America seeking good leadership in pastoral staff positions are frustrated by the dearth of interest in young men to serve Christ in full-time Christian service.
Christian colleges continue to report a decline over the years in ministerial majors.
Elijah prepared his Elisha, who doubled his mentor's work and made a great mark for God in evil days. Elisha in turn equipped his school of the prophets who became a continual source of encouragement and help to the aging prophet. Paul prepared his Timothy for the pulpit ministry and leadership in the early church, and then told Timothy to do the same with others. If we would train others and give them a head start in the ministry, they could surely do more and greater work because of the benefit of the training they have been given. In essence, Paul told Timothy to prepare men, and then to pass the baton of ministry to them so that they could prepare other men to pass the baton on to others.