March 26, 2020 - In 1962, I resigned my pastorate in Portland, Oregon to become pastor of the First Baptist Church of Starks, Louisiana. I didn’t know it then, but this town would give me some of the most unforgettable memories of my lifetime. All of the town’s businesses were located along one street: two small grocery stores, (Ristrum’s Grocery and Amon Husband’s Grocery), the post office and further down the street, was the Starks School, and across from the school was the First Baptist Church and the church parsonage.
The town had four churches: First Pentecostal, the Catholic church, and two Baptist churches, which included a colored Baptist church, St. Mary’s Baptist Church. I met St. Mary's deacon, Brother Royal, at the post office one day, and we became close friends. He was a tall, handsome black man and a man loved by the people of Starks. He had a solid gold front tooth ---and a solid gold-filled heart. He asked me one day to preach at St. Mary’s on their church anniversary…and I gladly consented.
A few weeks later, I took deacons Cecil Albritton and his brother Milton with me to St. Mary’s. Everyone was silent as we were seated on rhe front pew. Just as we sat down, a lady walked in the door and began to walk down the aisle singing ---slowly and softly—"Oh, how I love Jesus because He first loved me." As she walked down the aisle, the congregation began humming with her and when she sat down and began playing, all the church harmonized with her. It was one of the most moving services of my life.
After Brother Royal introduced me, sat down and flashed his big gold smile at me. As I began to speak, the quiet calm congregation suddenly came to life. “Is that so," Brother Royal holleref, and the whole congregation began shouting ”Amen” and “Preach on, Brother." I quoted the scripture that says that they didn’t break the bones of Jesus when He was crucified. Then I paused and asked the congregation, “Why didn’t they break the bones of Jesus?” And deacon Brother Henry answered, “Because it was prophesied!” “That’s right, Henry…..it was prophesied," I said, "and since Jesus was already dead, the Romans had no reason to add to His pain by breaking his bones.”
I literally preached 80 minutes that day, and as I sweated my way into the church yard, Deacon Albritton chuckled and asked, “Why don’t you preach that way at our church?’ And I replied, “When y’all start hollering “Amen” and “preach on, brother” while I preach.”
I have conducted many wedding, funerals. etc. in Starks since I was there 65 years ago, but I have never revisited the St. Mary’s Baptist Church. I’m sure Brother Henry, Brother Royal and most of the other members have crossed Jordan now. But maybe their descendants still serve the Lord there and still sing. “Oh, how I Love Jesus." I hope so…
...with all my heart.
