The Rambling Man
Monday, June 16, 2025
“As long as God grants us breath, He has work for us to do.” – Dr. John MacArthur
I read an interesting – and very inspiring – Facebook post from a man today that I would like to share with you.
His name is Maynard Sweigard and although we are “friends” on Facebook, I have never had the pleasure of meeting him in person. I just knew him by reputation and so, I sent him a friend request a number of years ago and he was gracious enough to accept it.
Maynard, by his own admission, was an extremely lonely and troubled youth who left home at age 15 and was on the streets and addicted to heroin by age 16. In fact, on October 15, 1973, he stood on a bridge in Harrisburg, PA ready to take his own life by jumping to the rocks below. However, Jesus Christ miraculously saved his soul and so, Maynard dedicated the rest of his life to serving his Savior, first as a pastor and later as the founder of a Teen Challenge program in Vero Beach, FL that impacted hundreds (perhaps thousands) of young lives.
Maynard is now semi-retired and living in Franklin, NC with Barb, his wife of 50 years. I say “semi-retired” because there is no way that Maynard will ever stop serving the Lord who “lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm.” (Psalm 40:2)
That’s why he offered his services to another group home for troubled youth in Texas for a couple years and now, at an age when most people are more than willing to put their feet up and rest from their labors, Maynard is asking God for his next assignment. Here are his exact words…
“I’ve been so healthy for over a year and I do not want to retire. Starting another program or some other challenging endeavor to further the kingdom of God is in my DNA. Part of me would like to start a grassroots evangelical ministry that focuses on the poor and addicted. When I came to Christ it seemed every day I was confronted with the Gospel, and I was not hanging out at church. I’m too close to a life of comfort and ease with little challenge. I’m not wanting to be that person. We are going to have an outing at an apartment complex to reach young men. I’m rambling but I would like prayer for very specific direction.”
You’re not rambling, brother… you’re inspiring!
“I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” Psalm 146:2 (NIV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
