Hugh's News & Commentary

A tribute by the Rev. Dr. John Hedgepeth, Senior Pastor, Northwood Temple in Fayetteville, NC

The following are some special thoughts on the Reverend Dr. Jerry B. Walker:

My first acquaintance with Jerry B came by supernatural design. We had just moved into our new sanctuary at Northwood Temple and God deeply impressed me to call Jerry B to come for a meeting. We scheduled it for one week, but God had a better idea. At the end of the week the crowds were so great and the healings were so numerous that we could in no way end the meeting. Souls were being saved and people were being filled with the Holy Spirit. The revival became the talk of the town.

The press came to the meetings and after seeing hundreds of people slain in the Holy Spirit and crowds lingering until late in the night they wrote an article entitled "Northwood Temple Experiences 'The Great Revival.'" By this time people had begun to fly in from all over the country to experience the great move of God.

Jerry B canceled his meeting for the next week. When that week ended, we went on for another week. Then four and five week and six weeks. God used Jerry B in a marvelous way. Many people who came to the meetings were changed eternally.

Jerry B returned each year for many years and each meeting was filled with God's great power. The meetings were life changing.

Jerry was a preacher who made us want to preach. His humorous style made people laugh. His style drew the masses to him. He touched the blue collar, white collar and those with no collar. He affected the young people in the city. In one meeting he nick named one front row of young people as "Blue jean Row." His expressions and idiomatic expressions are unforgettable--"Sister Bucket Mouth," "Women's Aglitter." His simple stories wove their way into the hearts of listeners and paved the way for a bombshell of spiritual truth.

Perhaps the greatest reason for Jerry B's success as an evangelist was his prayer life. He stayed before the Lord before he went in to any service. The results were evidence of the presence of Christ in his ministry.

Jerry and I were close friends working together in many meetings including the dedications of several building projects and anniversaries of the church. He gave unselfishly to us and became a friend for life.

I think that heaven has been getting ready for Jerry B for a long time. It's party time in heaven today for Jerry B. I can hear him saying, "My, My, My, My, My!"

Helen Keller said that each time she placed one of her precious loved ones in this brown bosom of earth, something of her leaped over into the grave with them. Then she said that each time she placed one of her precious loved ones in the brown bosom of earth, something of them leaped out of the tomb and stayed with her.

This coming week when Jerry B's body is laid to rest, something of us will stay with him; but praise God the great things of Jerry B will leap out of the grave and stay with us. His laughter, his love, his prayer life, his anointed ministry, his genuine Christian character and his unending friendship will stay with us and make us better people.

God bless you Jerry B and good night, until morning comes.

Hugh, we appreciate the way the present the breaking news. You are a one-of-a-kind man and God is greatly using you to do what has never been done before. You get the news to us and your ministry is anointed by our Lord for these last days.

God bless you and the "Mighty Melvine."

Your friend,

John Hedgepeth