Des\’ 80th Birthday Book of messages (iii)

Ross & Althea Ecclestone…
It seems only yesterday that we sat in the Big Tent at Welshpool about to hear for the first time the preaching of Dr. Ford. With little enthusiasm we undertook the challenge of yet another hour, or so, on the straight wooden benches with sawdust under our feet. Little did we know this would be a pivotal experience in our lives. For the first time we caught a glimpse of why the gospel was ‘good news’.
We attended church every Saturday, paid our tithe faithfully, involved ourselves in ‘missions’. My colleagues at the Bunbury High School noticed that I didn’t swear or drink alcohol—but the Cross was just another doctrine, albeit an important one, in the neatly packaged body of ‘truth’ that identified us as Seventh-day Adventists. On that evening you gave us HOPE—hope based on the imputation of Christ’s performance to our account. Perhaps it was because of that night that Romans 3:27 became our favourite verse in Scripture: “The whole matter is now on a different plane—believing instead of achieving.” (Phillips)
Up until this time our whole experience in spiritual matters centred on law, accruing a body of knowledge, behavioural achievement, and judgment to come. We could never quite grasp why this was purportedly ‘good news’ that would make a grown man jump for joy! Nevertheless, it didn’t take long as we returned to our home in Bunbury and then Lilydale for the light you ignited to be quenched by the prevailing views of traditional Adventism. The ‘good news’ was confined to forgiveness of the past and the promise of ‘power’ to live victoriously in the future. The all sufficiency of Christ’s life and sacrifice was all but lost.
That is, until the events of the 1970’s caused us to focus again on its centrality. Your clear thinking, dynamic preaching and consistent Christian life played a large part in our journey to understand the Gospel. For that, Des, we thank you.
Your ministry and life has touched us at a number of critical times. There are a number of lessons you have helped us glean from life. Let us summarise:
• When leaders let you down; don’t throw out the baby with the dishwater.
• Truth is a growing dynamic thing; it cannot be contained in neatly sealed little bottles.
• There is a time in everyone’s experience to stand up and be counted; even if it means surrendering cherished plans—particularly is this true of academic honesty.
• Graciousness in the face of deceit and unfairness pays dividends.
• Hope is the only antidote to personal tragedy.

For these lessons, Des, we thank you. Above all we thank you for helping us to discover the fantastic surety we have because the perfect performance of Jesus is freely credited to our account.
Happy 80th birthday and may there be many more!
With Christian love and best wishes and may God continue to bless your ministry.
Ross and Althea Ecclestone

Mary & Arnold Reye…
Dear Des,
Mary and I join your many friends in wishing you a very happy 80th birthday. In cricketing terms, you have enjoyed a good innings, but may it continue to be ‘not out’ when our blessed Lord returns. There are three things in particular we have appreciated and admired in you.
First, you have demonstrated something that is not particularly common among academics, namely, a steadfastness to truth as you have discovered it. It is not easy to challenge the thinking of ‘the establishment’, particularly when it involves one’s livelihood. That you were prepared to sacrifice the security of your denominational job in order to retain your intellectual integrity has been an inspiration and also a rebuke to many of us. Thank you Des, for that quiet but consistent witness.
Second, we have greatly valued your consistent preaching on the true gospel. From when we first heard you preach on the camp meeting circuit in Western Australia in the early 1960s, you have maintained your focus on what God has done for us as the root of our salvation. The assurance this provides is joy to the soul. In an Adventist milieu in which grace and works are confusedly mixed like oil and water, it has been reassuring to have the gospel presented and explained—both in your preaching and in your writing—in clear and unequivocal terms. Des, we are in your debt for this gift.
Third, your life of graciousness has been a lesson on how to handle those who act poorly towards us. While your treatment at the hands of church administrators has been far from charitable, nevertheless your restraint in not attacking either their competence or their integrity or their motives is a worthy example of ‘turning the other cheek’. Christ’s injunction, however, was intended as a moral rebuke to those who might respond ethically! Des, we are grateful that you have demonstrated Christian charity so profoundly.
Paul declared that “none of us lives to himself alone.” Blaise Pascal astutely recorded that “The least movement is of importance to all nature. The entire ocean is affected by a pebble.” Lord Alfred Tennyson, on the other hand, observed that “I am a part of all that I have met.” What we are trying to say, Des, is that those intersection points where yours and our lives have met over the years have been influential in making us the persons we are today. Thank you most sincerely for sharing yourself with us.
Mary and Arnold Reye,
Brisbane

Milton Hook…
It is about 1962 at Avondale and you are speaking to a Ministerial League meeting. “No self-respecting weevil will touch white bread,” you announce with a poker-face.
You go on to promote much that is free —- sunshine and water from the heavens, fresh air, appropriate physical exercise and adequate rest.
Your own example, with its balance between mental and physical exertion, is renowned. We are inspired to imitate you. In some respects we follow but you eclipse us with your prolonged and determined efforts.
Now, with eighty years behind you and the promise of at least another twenty, your longevity can also be attributed to the TLC of two fine wives and God’s free grace. (The wives were one at a time, of course, and the grace was all the time).
Belgian chocolates, the Aussie meat pie and German ale have nothing to do with your long years. These and, yes, even white bread, you shun.
Some individuals might think your days are humdrum, beginning with a duck’s breakfast —- a drink of water and a run around —- and then basking in the sun. We all know that is mere rumour. In reality, we are confident your days are still full of vitality and interest, even the meals.
Des, there is the expectation of another two decades. That calculates to another 20 new books, plus about 200 articles and 500 sermons. No pressure, mind you!!
Milton Hook

Norma & Barry Crabtree…
It would be an experience of great joy for us to attend the 80th birthday party for Des. The ministry of Des and Gill, particularly since 1980, has been amazing. We have admired the fact that both have been gentle with those who have been so unchristian to them. Others may have reviled their betrayers for their injustices but Des has refrained from this. His largess of heart has been an inspiration to so many of us. Des has been loyal to the church in spite of what its leaders have done to him. We continue to pray that the current leader’s will yet display the courage to apologize to Des and make reparation for the hurt and damage that has been done to him.
Barry & Norma Crabtree

Robert & Connie Porter…
Congratulations, Doctor, Pastor, Teacher, Mentor, Brother Desmond Ford.
The Good News is that in spite of the V.W. Combe blowing up an engine in 1962 the Ford still runs!
Des we want you to know that your great example of Christian living; your caring tender and compassionate nature; your exuberance in all things; your good sense of humour; your patience with the slow and stubborn; your graciousness to forgive the unforgivable; your abundant and abounding love for the unlovable; your willingness to go the second mile and to the enth degree; your ability to open up the scriptures to the common man ‘to make the invisible visible, to reveal Gods Son as His unspeakable Gift , to cause or hearts to sing and our feet to dance, for all these blessings we thank you.
You have been a wise advisor ,a champion of champion teachers ,a theologian par excellence, a first class mentor and a kind and wonderful friend.
Thank you for being you! God bless and keep you for all eternity.
Your very grateful brother and sister in Christ.
Robert and Corrie Porter and Family

Barrie & June Medland…
Dear Des,
It has been great to meet up with you again in recent times up on the farm. We take this opportunity to wish you a very happy 80th birthday and God’s richest blessing in your work.
Our minds go back to our Cooranbong days and you were lecturing at College. Early breakfasts up in the Wattagans and enjoying your inspirational sermons, which we always looked forward to and really appreciated.
With our Christian greetings,
Barrie and June Medland

Norm & Elisabeth Young…
I had the privilege of knowing Des in several spheres. First I had him as a fabulous teacher when I came to Avondale College (1962-65) as a new convert. He had an incredible impact on me, which set the direction of my spiritual journey. I look back on those classes and seminars under the SHF factory trees with great pleasure. His guidance re my academic future was vital in my later decisions. Our friendship increased after I had graduated, though limited to correspondence and several short stays in the Ford home prior to my going overseas to study.
Secondly, we were fellow students together at Manchester University (1970-72), he as a doctoral candidate and I as a MA student. It seemed to me that he had only just arrived when he placed a 100-page document on my desk for comments. He and Gill lived out of town in an old farmhouse called “Two-Gates.” A Spartan place of residence I’d have to say, but we had a great time together during these days and shared many humorous moments. Like the time I made a grand entrance into the Ehrhardt Seminar just as it finished because I didn’t realise daylight saving had started. Des didn’t let me live that one down.
Thirdly, Des and I were colleagues on the staff of Avondale College (1973-77), he as Dean of the Theology Faculty and I as one of his staff. This was an exciting time to start my teaching career as theology was bubbling with excitement like yeast in honeyed water. The gospel was effervescing on campus with a re-discovered power. Des was at the vanguard of this ferment, but students themselves were the real catalyst of change.
So thank you Des for your tutelage, your encouragement and your example. My wife joins me in wishing you happy birthday and may your 80th decade be your best yet.
God bless,
Norman & Elisabeth Young