A South Carolina Baptist minister has written a book that chronicles how one man’s life was dramatically altered by the seemingly random chance of a military draft lottery.
Dale Warren, who served in Army intelligence and electronic warfare during the Vietnam War era, pastored churches in South Carolina and Pennsylvania after his military service. His novel, “I Won a Life in the Lottery,” tells the story of how a young couple’s plan for their life was completely upended when his birthday was the number one pick in the Vietnam War draft lottery.
Drawing inspiration from Jeremiah 29:11 (“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”), the author details how God used the draft and the events that followed “to guide my life in ways I would never have planned or imagined.”
Warren, a graduate of Southeastern Seminary, served as pastor at First Baptist Church of Bishopville and First Baptist Church of Johns Island.
During his last year in seminary, he was asked to consider going to China as a missionary to teach business and economics. After prayer, he felt led not to pursue that option. However, his book will soon be presented at the Beijing International Book Fair. “Even though we were never able to go to China, our testimony and message will be going to China through our novel,” he said.
“The book was written with a hope that many lost people would read it for pleasure and be exposed to God’s powerful message,” Warren said.
The author is available to speak at churches and other organizations.
For more information: http://www.pastordalewarren.com.