About the Author

O. S. Hawkins is President and Chief Executive Officer of GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. GuideStone serves more than 250,000 individual participants from churches, missionary organizations, colleges and universities, hospitals, and other nonprofit institutions with their financial and benefit service needs. GuideStone Funds is the largest Christian-based mutual fund family in the nation, with assets of over 15 billion dollars. Prior to the beginning of his tenure at GuideStone in 1997, Hawkins served as senior pastor of the historic First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas (1993-1997) , and senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (1978-1993) , as well as earlier pastorates at First Baptist Church of Ada, Oklahoma (1974-1978) , and First Baptist Church of Hobart, Oklahoma (1972-1974) .Hawkins, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, earned the Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth in 1970. He is also a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity) and Luther Rice Seminary (Doctor of Ministry) . He holds the Doctorate of Literature degree from Liberty University (Hon.) as well as several other honorary doctorate degrees from such universities as Dallas Baptist University, Southwest Baptist University and The Criswell College.He has been married to his wife, the former Susan Cavness of Austin, Texas, since 1970. They have two daughters, Wendy and Holly, both of whom are also graduates of TCU. Wendy is married to Brian Hermes and Holly is married to David Shivers. Dr. and Mrs. Hawkins also have six grandchildren.Hawkins was named Clergyman of the Year by the Religious Heritage of America and during his pastoral days was elected by his peers as president of the National Southern Baptist Pastors' Conference. He is the author of more than 25 books, including the best-selling Code series.

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