On November 1, 1972, our family left West Tennessee and moved to Shreveport, Louisiana so I could join the staff of the First United Methodist Church there as the preaching associate. For the next 12 years, I had the distinct, unique, and amazing experience of working side by side daily with Dr. D. L. Dykes.

Dr. Dykes was without question… one of the greatest preachers I have ever heard, one of the most creative and innovative leaders I have ever known, and one of the most lovingly colorful and eccentric personalities I have ever met. He was a legend in his own time. He had been on television in that area (on the CBS affiliate station) for 20 years… and everybody in the Ark-La-Tex region of our country knew him… and everybody from the smallest child to the oldest adult, affectionately calle…