Today’s guest post is from Rod Hale, former pastor, state missionary for the Baptist General Association of Virginia, and member of HRBC.
Recently, I spent several days in the hospital, the one I was born in 83 years ago. Much has changed in that time; it cost my dad ten dollars for the delivery room on that Sunday, and five dollars a day for the semi-private one. Eleven pounds and four ounces I weighed! Maybe Sunday was a hint about my life- long vocation, serving God in and through the church, especially the Sunday School where I began on the Cradle Roll.
Professing my faith in Christ came through my Sunday School teacher when I was a second grader. At age fifteen I dedicated my life to serve Him as a minister, not knowing all the details of preparation. However, I was asked to serve as youth week pastor, to preach. I was diligent in my preparation, as I chose Romans 8:37-39. That April Sunday morning I began my sermon, preaching for what seemed like forever. Actually, it was a little over six minutes. As nervous as I was, God used that experience to prompt me on a road that I never would have imagined. Me, being the oldest of six children, bashful and reserved, He led me to begin my preparation at Bluefield College and the University of Richmond, then seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
From there He led me to First Baptist Church in Piedmont, Alabama. After several years there He led me too Calvary Church in Tuscaloosa, located across the street from Denny Stadium, home of the University of Alabama football team. At these churches I led in youth, music and education ministries. One year I was the chaplain for the football team. Hundreds of university students attended our church, and I directed for awhile the Baptist Student Union choir of over a hundred members. Then later I was called to be the pastor of College Hill Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, an inner city church of 1500 members. What a challenge, and blessing! Much was accomplished in those years, modeling a national known senior adult ministry, The Ageless Wonders, and a daytime VBS of over 400 children.
Then I was invited to be a state missionary for the Baptist General Association of Virginia, serving 43 associations and 1400 churches. My responsibilities were in Sunday School growth and discipleship development, as well as building and site development. I served in that position for 31 years. I continue to serve the BGAV as a consultant with the Baptist Extension Board. Notable was joining the Huguenot Road Baptist Church in 1977, a wonderful chapter in my life. The congregation was and is an ongoing blessing for over 40 years. Though I live in Roanoke now, I continue to hear from many members on a regular basis. Hundreds of people there have added so much to my life. In conclusion, there is much more to my “journey” I could add. I am grateful to pastor, Bob Lee, for inviting me to share with you. I am not officially retired from church. I teach a class of senior adults, sing in the choir, co-teach a Tuesday evening men’s Bible class, and am a member of a zoom class from HRBC on Thursday evening.
Rod Hale