Hendricks was a mentor to other leaders, helped develop The Cove into what it is today

Contact: Brent Rinehart, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 704-401-2119, brinehart@bgea.org

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Feb. 20, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Howard Hendricks, longtime faculty member at Dallas Theological Seminary and prolific Christian author, passed away today.

Despite authoring 18 books and preaching around the world in more than 80 countries, Hendricks was perhaps best known for his influence on other Christian leaders, as several count him as their mentor, including Chuck Swindoll, Tony Evans, Joseph Stowell and David Jeremiah.

Hendricks played an important role in the development of The Cove. In the early stages, he met with Jerry Miller, longtime executive director of The Cove. During the hours of discussion, Hendricks laid the foundation for what a training center should be, reinforcing what God had laid on Billy Graham's heart -- that The Cove would train people in God's Word to win others for Christ. The only textbook for such a place would be the Bible.

In addition to his leadership in the area of program development, Hendricks was a frequent speaker. His last seminar at the Cove was in 2010. He was a noted and gifted Bible teacher who loved God and loved spending time in His Word.

Hendricks will also be remembered for his humility. In a 2009 interview with Decision magazine, he said, "I'm not what everybody in the world says is great. I'm just a servant of Christ, that's all."

The staff of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove urges Christians everywhere to join them in praying for the Hendricks family and to follow the words of Hendricks, who said, "Once a believer really gets to see what the Lord can do through him or her, at whatever stage in life, they're going to get excited about getting out there in the battle. It's all about being a servant of Christ."