Hugh's News & Commentary

What is important to you? What do you value?

On a scale from 1 to 10 how would you rate Hugh's News?

Here is what the late John W, Swails II wrote several years ago:

John W. Swails, II

I rejoice that Hugh Morgan is celebrating a half century of gospel preaching! He has exemplified great ability and fervency in spirit. I had him as a student in my Bible classes, and had occasion to observe the depth of his moral and ministerial commitment. He is a true soldier of the cross. He has held aloft and still holds high the lamp of righteousness. I consider him a dear friend and wish for him many more years of useful service in the kingdom of our Lord.

Joel S. McGraw, Senior Pastor, Faith Chapel in Huntsville, Alabama

It was your dad, Hugh, who helped me get a connectional vision for world missions. He was a student at Asbury College and had just gotten back from a missions trip to Cuba, in the summer of 1957.

He impressed me! He told of getting a crowd and the attention of young people by standing on his head and playing his trombone. I thought that was amazing! I was even amazed after I learned he did not do both at the same time.

The fifties were rather non-aggressive years compared to the rebellions sixties. But Hugh was aggressive in the fifties. He kept "coloring outside the lines." He did in Cuba and he did in his refusal to be intimidated by some ole, same
ole. He went beyond that Cuba phenomena into opening doors to missions as related to the local church.

He and I were pastoring about 50 miles apart in 1963 after he had graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary. I was with him when he talked with one of the World Mission leaders about missions conferences in the local churches. He started and I was part of his initiation. Several local churches held world missions conferences concurrently with several missionaries circulating among us. It was awesome. We had awakenings within and among us to get involved in
World Missions. Thanks to innovative Hugh.

Bill Nash, retired bank owner, entrepreneur from Tulsa, OK

I first met Hugh when we were students at Emmanuel College in the early 50s.

Here was this tall, outgoing, trombone playing lad from Alabama that everyone knew in just a few days. Who would have believed then that he would one day be a great chaplain and later a college President? He always was ambitious, but none knew how great and noble his dreams were. All of his thousands of friends appreciate his dedication, his love of his wife and children and his desire to keep on serving. He has provided a valuable service to thousands of us by helping us keep in touch with each other. He is a wonderful friend and I'm so glad my path crossed his in the 50s.

Lonnie and Betty Rex, Spring, Texas

I have known Dr. Hugh Holmes Morgan since 1954. when he was in the Marine Band at Quantico, VA.

Betty and I attended the National Church in Washington, DC, and was involved in the Music Program. He attended often.

Over these fifty-six years, I have followed his distinguished career and have enjoyed his fellowship at many Church Conferences. I was always honored for him to sing in my choirs at the General Conventions. His term as President of Southwestern College in Oklahoma City was a time of close relationship.

The development of Hugh’s News is a major contribution to the International Pentecostal Holiness Church.

The IPHC is honored for him to be the Vice Chairman, the NAE Commission on Chaplains, and recent past Chairman for the Endorsers Conference for Veteran Affairs Chaplaincy, as well as a member of the executive committee of the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces.

May God bless Hugh, Melvine, and their adult children, Greg and Stephanie as they celebrate Hugh's 50 years as an ordained minister in the IPHC.

Daneel le Roux, Greenville, NC

Hugh Morgan's life and mine have been intertwined for well over fifty years stretching from Alabama to Alaska, from Seattle to New York, from North Carolina to Alabama, and many points in-between. Our friendship all began at Holmes Bible College where we first met; then on to Draper (Eden) NC, where we both found our brides. We also were attendants in each others weddings and spent vacations together. We always had time to spend together at Christmas as we visited our families in Eden. One time, Betty and I took Melvine, who was pregnant with Greg , to Washington, DC, to see Hugh when he had a weekend pass to take the train from New York City. He was in the Army Chaplains School on David's Island, 30 minutes off the shore of New Rochelle, NY. I was always proud to be in Hugh Morgan's company.

Hugh served our armed forces well and represented the International Pentecostal Holiness Church with dignity. I always admired and revered his dedication to his work. His Chaplaincy service was characterized by the sincere ministry he rendered with dignity yet with a humble, caring concern for our military. He was genuinely concerned with the eternal lives of those service men and women entrusted to his care as he faithfully ministered to them--a ministry which continues today through Hugh's News.

I cherish my life long friendship and association with Hugh Morgan; I have always been, and still am, proud to have Hugh Morgan as my friend.

Wesley Russ, Superintendent, Mid-Atlantic Conference

The things that have impressed me most in Hugh Morgan's ministry have been your faithfulness to the Word of God, integrity, steadfastness, and his willingness to do jobs no one else would do (and often with little or inadequate financial compensation), and his loyalty to the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. (Hugh's father and mother, who were ministers and missionaries in the IPHC are not here to write for him, but I know they are well pleased with their son. You have honored them with your life and service to God.) Your love of people and especially your interest in our military and institutional chaplains' program have proven to be a monumental success, which has been recognized not just in our denomination but in all the ministries and denominations involved in the military chaplaincy and also recognized in institutions of higher learning.

Little did you know that your desire to keep in touch with your chaplains would result in Hugh's News now read by thousands of people around the world. This electronic news letter provides a fast and relivable source of information for our IPHC family that is invaluable.

You have set a high standard in ministry and my prayer is that many emerging leaders in the IPHC will follow your example. When we visit by phone, I can still hear and feel the passion you have for the Kingdom's work. Do not lose heart or grow weary in well-doing, because "we are not home yet" and the welcoming reception for Hugh Holmes Morgan will be a great day in heaven when God comes for His own. So, until then we press on while resting in His mighty power.

Vinson Synan, Ph. D., Former Assistant General Superintendent of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, Interim President of Southwestern College (now Southwestern Christian University), and retired Dean, School of Divinity, Regent university.

No church ever had a more loyal son than the Pentecostal Holiness church has in Hugh Morgan. He has taken online journalism to new heights. I hope every one of his e-mails can be preserved for the Church archives. It is a current and newsy feature that keeps us together as a church family.

I have worked with Hugh for decades, especially when he was President of Southwestern College in Oklahoma City. I also remember him for nominating me to serve as General Secretary of the PHC in Roanoke in 1973. For better or for worse, this began a 12 year period of leadership for me in the IPHC. Also Hugh and Melvine and Carol and I were married on the exact same day (but in separate cities), August 13, 1960. God bless you Hugh and also Hugh’s News.

Dr. Leroy and Evelyn Baker, former superintendent of the Texas (Grace Bible Ministries) Conference. They reside in Kingsotn, OK.

It is a special honor for me to join the IPHC family and others to thank God for giving Hugh H. Morgan to the church. The body of Christ is indeed enriched by such a dedicated, loyal, and uniquely gifted man. For more than fifty years Hugh Morgan has served his Lord Jesus and the body of Christ in every way imaginable.

Personally, professionally, and prophetically Hugh has been a drink offering poured out, not holding back a single drop, but giving, giving, and still giving to others for Christ's sake.

I count it a joy to know him as a brother and friend. I do not know nor have I ever known a better preacher, servant, and Christian than Hugh H. Morgan.

Fifty is a jubilee, pentecost, and feast celebration time, and I pray this blessing for my dear friend and his faithful and devoted wife; that it will be a year of victory and double portion anointing.

You are loved and honored this month and always by the Bakers. The world is a blessed place by your gifted and sincere ministry. Have a golden time now until you walk on the golden streets. Thank you for saying "yes" to God and His call.

[Note: These tributes were written three years ago, now, when Hugh celebrated 50 years of credential ministry in the IPHC. He was licensed in 1957, by Bishop J. A. Synan, and ordained by Robert L. Rex, in 1960.

Leroy Baker will be the preacher for the annual homecoming at the Maranatha Fellowship P. H. Church in College Park, MD, on Sunday morning, September 19.  Sunday evening, September 19 through Thursday night, September, 23, he will be preaching the Camp Meeting at the Lonaconing Church. Then, Sunday, September 26, he will be preaching at Kingsway Church in Baltimore, MD, where Terry Bailey is the senior pastor.]