An American-based preacher on a New Zealand tour made a surprise stop in Mosgiel this week to visit the ministry of a writer who "shaped my life".
Dr Ravi Zacharias, of Atlanta, said he visited Amana Christian School in Mosgiel because of its links to preacher Dr Frank W. Boreham.
"There are two or three writers who have shaped my life and Boreham was one of them."
Dr Boreham was born in England and was based in Mosgiel from 1895 to 1906.
Dr Zacharias was born in India and first heard of the baptist preacher from Mosgiel on a street car in Hong Kong in the 1970s.
A missionary on the street car had just listened to Dr Zacharias preach. He told him he shared the skill of storytelling with Dr Boreham and gave him the preacher’s book A Bunch of Everlastings.
"He couldn’t have chosen a better volume," Dr Zacharias said.
Mr Zacharias was in Dunedin for speaking engagements, including one that attracted about 4500 people to Forsyth Barr Stadium last Sunday.
School principal Roslyn King said she was "buzzing" from the visit.
"It was wonderful to meet one of the top minds and speakers in the world."
At the visit, Dr Zacharias was shown memorabilia relating to Dr Boreham. Taieri Christian Schools’ Association chairman Ron King was at the visit.
Dr Boreham wrote for the Otago Daily Times and authored about 50 books.
Many of the "captivating" stories in the books featured Taieri landmarks.
