When I became pastor of the First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs, Texas last month, I gained the privilege of Roy Edgemon calling me his pastor. This afternoon I was thrilled to have an office visit with this legendary figure in Baptist life.
Dr. Roy T. Edgemon, led the Southern Baptists’ discipleship training program for 22 years. In April of 2000 he retired as director of the discipleship and family group of LifeWay Christian Resources. During his tenure, the concept of undated discipleship courses was introduced in 1978. He was influential in the development and writing of The MasterLife course, now used throughout the world to disciple followers of Jesus Christ. It was this very course that changed my life when I was a college freshman. Soon after coming to faith, I was invited into the home of Dennis Parnell to study the Bible, memorize Scripture, and pray. The foundation of that discipleship experience was MasterLife.
Dr. Edgemon also played a vital role in publishing “Survival Kit for New Christians,” which is now available in about 125 languages. He also helped develop interactive courses such as “Experiencing God” and “The Mind of Christ.”
Before joining LifeWay, Dr. Edgemon was director of volunteer projects coordination and director of evangelism planning and consultation for the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board (now North American Mission Board). He and his wife, Anna Marie, also served with the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board) as missionaries to Japan for seven years. He was pastor of several churches in Texas after graduating from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas.
It was such an honor to sit back and listen as Dr. Edgemon told me stories about the early days of writing and publishing discipleship material that have blessed churches and Christians worldwide – to include me. I couldn’t help but smile at the grace of God.
*Some of Dr. Edgemon’s bio was borrowed from the following press release of his retirement: Click here.
Jeff Gravens 
Pastor Gravens: What a blessed find! Dr. Edgemon was our interim pastor at 1st Baptist Joelton, (just north of Nashville), well over twenty years ago. Dr. Edgemon impacted and influenced our lives deeply and forever with his love, wisdom, knowledge and anointed teaching and preaching of God’s Word. He encouraged me more than I can ever express in the call the Lord placed on my life as a woman in ministry. I thank God for him and Mrs. Anna Marie. They will forever be so special to us. If you can share this message with him, I would greatly appreciate it. I lost contact with him when they moved from our area to Texas. I pray they both are still well and thriving in the Lord’s Hands. I would love to find his wonderful Disciple’s Study Bible, if you know if it is in publication. Thank you so much for posting this…it was a blessed surprise! (I was searching for his study Bible!) I know you are blessed to be Dr. Edgemon’s pastor…and he is blessed the Lord led him and Mrs. Anna Marie to your church. Praying God’s blessings to you. In His Love and service, Howard (Skip) and Bonni Skipworth
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Howard and Bonni – I will pass along your greeting to Dr. Edgemon! The Disciple’s Study Bible is no longer in print but I’ve bought a few copies second hand. It is a wonderful resources. Please send me an email at pastor@ssfbc.org. I’d love to connect more.
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Hello again (since a very long time ago!) Pastor Gravens. Mercy!! I’m so very sorry it has taken me this long to reply to your gracious message. I forgot how I came across your website and then when I again searched for Dr. Edgemon recently, here it came! (I’m pitifully technologically challenged,) I did send you an email so you will have my email contact…I hope you received it. Again, thank you so much for your reply…and offering to share my message with Dr. Edgemon…and again, I’m so very sorry it has taken me next to forever to get back to you. May God bless you and keep you safe, well and in His anointing grace! Bonni
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