From the Model T to Mars

From the Model T to Mars tells the story of Billy Don (Bill) Sherman’s life and sixty-six-year pastoral ministry. It is a journey filled with triumphs and trials along with a hearty side of laughter. In these pages, Dr. Sherman traces the origins of his values to his family as he grew up during World War II. His time at Baylor University, where he was a star football player, along with his studies at Southwestern Seminary gave him the foundation for a meaningful ministry. He then recounts his journey as a pastor, leader, and father, first in Texas and Oklahoma and then in Nashville, Tennessee.

During his thirty-year ministry at Woodmont Baptist Church, Dr. Sherman became a household name in Tennessee as Woodmont’s services were broadcast across the state on local television. As a pastor, he forcefully advocated for racial equality during the Civil Rights Movement, pushed the church to historic missions endeavors, and fought to preserve true Baptist principles. Tennessee Governor Ned McWherter called Dr. Sherman "the conscience of Middle Tennessee."

In these pages, Dr. Sherman shares stories of conflict and challenges useful for any pastor or leader. His experiences and wisdom shine a light on what it means for a Christian to serve and to stand for what is right.

After starring on the Baylor University football team from 1951 to 1953, Dr. Bill Sherman graduated from Southwestern Seminary and began a pastoral ministry that spanned sixty-six years, from Texas to Tennessee. A noted leader in Baptist life, Dr. Sherman and his wife, Veta, built a ministry known for the lives it touched and the difference it made in the cause for Christ.