Throughout our denomination’s nearly 130-year history, twenty-one general overseers have been selected by its ministers as the denomination’s premier leaders—from 
A. J. Tomlinson, the first, until Raymond F. Culpepper, whose term ended in 2012. Except for the first three, Dr. Douglas LeRoy has known each of them personally. That places him in a unique position to tell the stories of these officials and reflect on their leadership. He also allows each leader to speak for himself through a sermon selected from his writings. This has been a labor of love for Doug LeRoy, performed over a period of years. He has done well!

Let us now learn from our leaders. I am convinced this book will increase our understanding, help us avoid pitfalls, multiply our effectiveness, enhance our endurance, and inspire us. I commend it to your reading.

—Mark L. Williams

General Overseer, Church of God

January 2014