Introduction

When I was almost twelve years old, the Lord appeared to
me in a vision. In this vision, He told me to study the lives of
the great preachers—to learn of their successes and their
failures. From that day on, I gave a large portion of my life to
the study of church history.

When prominent people in the secular world die, people
begin to look at their natural accomplishments. But when
leaders in the body of Christ die, I believe Jesus would have us
look at not only what was accomplished in the natural world
through their lives, but at what they also accomplished within
the body of Christ. The purpose of their remembrance is not to
praise or criticize the leaders, but to see him or her as an
example for our own lives.

The “Generals” that are written of in this book were human.
Their stories represent a collaboration of the way life is. I have
not made anyone out to be superhuman or bionic. I have told
of their tears, their laughter, their successes, and their failures.
They were all persecuted, lied to, betrayed, slandered, as well
as honored, adored, and supported.