Editor’s Note: Pat Roy is more than just a devoted father, remarkably talented radio producer for Vision Forum, and devout believer. Pat Roy is part of the League of Grateful Sons. He is a man who recognizes his debt to those spiritual fathers who came before him, and who has made it his mission to share their faithful example with the children of the next generation. In a world of dishonorable sons and ungrateful men, it is my prayer that God would raise up thosuands of grateful sons to live the principle of Psalm 78.

Testmonial to Dr. Henry Morris

By Pat Roy,
Producer of Jonathan Park Radio Show, Vision Forum
Former Director of Broadcast Media for ICR

Henry Morris could always be found with his hand on the Word of God. Jesus Christ and His precious Word was the passion of this man’s life.

This past Saturday marks a new chapter in history — a world without one of the greatest Christian leaders of our time — Dr. Henry Morris. Never have I met a man who has changed the world so much, and yet gave all glory to the Creator, keeping none of it for himself.

I had the incredible honor of serving Dr. Henry Morris at ICR for 12 years, and upon this glorious homecoming, although I do not feel worthy to do so, I would like to be able to share a few reflections on this man of God.

How often can we find men who God has used to change the entire course of history? I believe that Dr. Henry Morris was that kind of man. In a time when most Christian leaders — and even the Church for the most part — had chose the route of compromise with Darwinian thinking, and old ages, Dr. Henry Morris had the boldness to make a strong stand against popular thought — and to declare that the Word of God is true — regardless of men’s faulty scientific understanding. When he and Dr. John Whitcomb first released their book, The Genesis Flood, it began a movement — and modern “Young Earth Creation” was taken to the world. To this very day, there are now thousands of creation scientists, hundreds of creation organizations, and millions of people who are advancing Biblical and scientific Creation. The message has been that God’s word is completely reliable, and that true science is in harmony with God’s word. Dr. Morris was one of the first modern leaders to make this bold stand — even though it was not popular. To this very day, millions of lives have been changed because of his courageous stand.

Although there are many things that could be said about Dr. Morris, I just want to share five traits that I observed about him:

First, he was a visionary. I remember when I first began working for Dr. Morris. I would often come away from time with him feeling challenged — realizing that my own expectations of what the Lord could do were very limited by my lack of faith. That was not the case with Dr. Morris. He dreamed big dreams for the Lord, and the Creator honored those dreams. Just the Institute for Creation Research alone is testimony to that. However, the Creator also allowed Dr. Morris to be a catalyst in the founding of other organizations including Christian Heritage College, the TRACS accrediting association, and many others.

Secondly, he was a truly humble man. We often hear people describe leaders as humble, but with Dr. Henry Morris it was different. In all the years of working along side — never once did I hear him steal the glory for himself. He had an absolute dependence on his Lord — and knew that he was nothing apart from him. Often times when I would tell him that a radio network would want him as a guest, he would usually reply (with sincerity) “They want me? I’m not sure if I have much to say that would be of value”. At ICR, Dr. Morris had a totally open door policy. Anyone could walk into his office — and he loved to take time to discuss things of the Lord. Many a time I left his office feeling the sweet fellowship of a brother — and not like I had been with a man that lorded his knowledge over us.

Thirdly, he was a leader that loved God’s Word. The morning that Dr. Morris went home to be with the Lord, I was reading Psalm 119. The author of that Psalm writes in verses 97-104,

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.

This passage describes Dr, Morris. He loved God’s word — and he knew it well. During just about any unannounced visit to his office, I would always find him with the Bible open on his desk. He had obviously been spending hours pouring excitedly through its truths. Nearby there was always a yellow pad in which he was taking notes, and writing about what he had just read. Dr. Henry Morris will best remembered by the world for his major contribution to Creation science. However, anyone that spent any time with him at all will agree that his true love was the Scriptures. Many a time as we sat in the radio studio, recording a broadcast, he would quote long passages of Scripture from heart. In need of a passage to complete a script, I often found that a quick call to Dr. Morris would be much more complete than using my exhaustive concordance.

Fourthly, I was impacted by Dr. Morris’ desire to serve the Lord with all his heart. He was always contending for the faith. Even in his “retirement years”, he would still come to his office on a regular basis. In my last meeting with him a few months ago, he expressed his desire to do all that he could before he was called home. His goal was to “give it all” to the very end. And that in fact, is what he did. I’ve heard that even in these last weeks that visiting friends and family would catch him with his Bible, yellow pad, and pencil in hand. When most people would have stopped to rest, he did not. And these final works from this faithful servant will again (like 60 plus books before), be used by the Creator to change hearts and lives!

Pat Roy (left) with the No Death Before Adam/After Eden team. Henry Morris is second from the right.

Finally, Dr. Henry changed the world with his love and concern for others. Many times as I represented ICR at conferences and seminars, I would have people from all around the country give similar testimonies, saying, “I remember a few years back when Dr. Henry Morris came and stayed at our house. He took time to be with us, and encourage us in our faith”. All of them told about that special time during a dinner, or a visit in which Dr. Morris had invested into their lives. And all walked away from their time with him being built-up in their faith in Christ. He also had an extraordinary humor — and just when things would get tense during a meeting or other situation, Dr. Morris would say that one-liner that would get us all laughing and feeling okay about life again. Often times at ICR’s daily devotional, he would share the great truths of Scripture, while keeping us laughing and encouraged along the way. He was warm, compassionate, and cared for everyone that crossed his path — even those who opposed him. He truly cared about the hearts of those around him.

Today, I couldn’t help but wake up and wonder, “How will the world be different without Dr. Morris”? All of us will miss his insights on science and the Bible. We will no longer be able to wait for the next book from this Godly scientist. Evolutionists will no longer be confronted in love by this humble servant. His family, friends, and co-laborers will no longer sit at his feet to hear his excited conversations about what he is reading in God’s word. However, the work of the Lord through Dr. Morris will always be with us. The Creation movement is here to stay — and through his books, videos, radio presentations, and friendships he made, Dr. Morris’ impact on this world will continue on. And for Dr. Morris himself, he has received the reward in which he worked for over 87 years — an eternity with the Creator that he loves with all his heart!