Memorial

Saturday many of those who loved Jimmie filled the church building at New Hope Road to remember him.  We sang some of his favorite hymns, listened as four dear friends - Keith Cozort, Rod Rutherford, Ronald D. Gilbert and Yaw Boateng - related stories about Jimmie, and then we heard the Gospel preached - an appropriate ending to any memorial for Jimmie since his focus was preaching the Gospel.  

This weekend I learned that two more memorial services are being planned for Jimmie in Malawi, this coming Saturday in Lilongwe and in Salima the following week.  I also learned that a Jimmie B. Hill Memorial Library fund is being established to provide books for students in some of the preaching schools assisted by International Bible Teaching Ministries.  Both of these things really touched me.

Jimmie never sought any notoriety.  He wasn't interested in being a big name or well-known or whatever the proper term is.  He just wanted to win souls for Christ and enjoy time with family and friends.  Jimmie often said that Christians should be the happiest people on earth because we have been forgiven and know where we are headed.  Jimmie truly did enjoy life and he had the kind of quick whit that could get a smile from others.  But after receiving so many email messages from around the world expressing prayers for Jimmie while he was sick, and sorrow at his passing, his family is beginning to realize that Jimmie was more well-known than we realized.