Longtime Baptist pastor says goodbye to community

Longtime Baptist pastor says goodbye to community

by Eric A Thomas

When a chapter in a person’s life comes to a close, it’s hard to pack it all up and move on. Being in the ministry, praying for guidance and direction is a must. Back in December, after 26 years as associate pastor at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church (LABC) in Jacksonville, John Hume answered that tug that told him it was finally time to shift gears.

When Hume and his wife, Paige, answered the call to move to Jacksonville years ago, it was exciting to be able to use God-given talents such as musical gifts, a knack for working with youth and the ability to form special bonds with others.

The impact he has made locally is hard to measure. John Hume’s presence was significant not only at Lincoln Avenue but also through his involvement in the community through the Jacksonville Theatre Guild and the Jacksonville Symphony Society, just to name a couple. It is best put in words from people who know him.

Oftentimes, people in the ministry make a special connection or bond with individuals within their congregation. Sometimes that bond may seem simple externally, but to a specific individual, it could mean the world.

Meet Marissa Hedrick. She and her mother, Carol, have been members at LABC for many years. Worshipping looks much different for Marissa Hedrick — and Hume embraced every bit of it. She is in her mid-20s, autistic, has Down syndrome and Tourette Syndrome. “John Hume is an amazing example of a leader who values all of God’s children,” remarked Marissa Hedrick’s mother, explaining how Hume would seek her out every Sunday to offer her kind words, maybe a song (“The Star-Spangled Banner” is her favorite) and two grape Lifesavers candies. In the beginning, he would let her choose two Lifesavers from a whole bag but quickly realized she always chose grape. From that moment on he always made sure that he had two grape ones ready. “Although these small acts seemed so insignificant to many, they are what opened the doors for Marissa to be able to attend church and to have a relationship with God,” concluded her mother, Carol.

When a minister has been as involved for such a long period of time like Hume, the lasting footprints can be endless. Many church members have felt Hume as an extension of their own families.

“He was involved in providing music for our wedding and he officiated my dad’s funeral,” remembers Breck VanBebber. “The impact he has had is hard to put into words. It is going to be very different without him as part of the church. I am thankful that I can call him friend.” Hume also gave VanBebber’s 15-year-old son trumpet lessons and thus developed a special bond with him. VanBebber added that Hume cares deeply about the people that God has placed in his life and Hume impacted countless lives because of the compassion he has for others.

Now, most every minister can look back on their service and hope that they had made a true difference in the people they have served in Christ’s name. Going back to the beginning of his service at LABC, a former member of his youth group recalls what Hume has meant to him.

Andrew Walker says that he is very grateful for all that Hume has done in his young life. Walker recalls that Hume led him to Christ, baptized him, and later officiated his wedding to Christian Locke. “There is not a season of life that I cannot recall John being a part of,” commented Walker. “It’s just plain surreal and somewhat sad to see this chapter close. It is a reminder of how seasons change, even long seasons.” Still, Walker noted the power of memory, saying how the power of friendship is a stronghold that cannot be quickly shaken or forgotten.

The members of LABC held a farewell reception for the Hume family on January 2. The reception was an opportunity for the church family to say goodbye and send the Humes off to begin a new chapter. John Hume is now serving as discipleship pastor at Dunwoody Baptist Church in Dunwoody, Georgia, which in the Atlanta area.

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