Hugh's News & Commentary

It’s that time of the year when we reveal the name of the person whom I’ve selected as eitherThe Hugh’s News Man or Woman of the Year.

The selection process for determining who that person will be is rather complex. It is not something I take lightly. In fact, the selection of the person is serious business with me. I desire to honor someone who exemplifies the characteristics of a Christian leader, and who has made significant contributions to the Kingdom of God.

Well, what is the criterion that I go by in naming the person of the year? I am pleased to tell you how I operate. I am looking for a person totally committed to Jesus Christ and the church. Then, I look for integrity, loyalty, humility and humor, steadfastness under pressure, moral courage to take a stand for Biblical principles, competence, a disciplined life, selflessness, generosity, love for people with ability to listen, and godly wisdom.

In his new book, Decision Points, former President George W. Bush gives this quote from Prime Minister Margret Thatcher about her judgment of character,“I usually make up my mind about a man in ten seconds, and I very rarely change it.”  I must tell you that I am unable to do that. I like to get to know a person. I want to look into his eyes to ascertain his spirit, listen to his voice, discover his thought patterns and beliefs, sense his deepest emotions and convictions, and watch the expressions on his face and body language. I learned that from my parents, and developed that gift through my education, experience, and training in clinical pastoral education. Most importantly I depend on the Holy Spirit to guide me.

The man I have selected is without doubt the consummate student, scholar, and teacher. He is much like the energizer battery that keeps on going and going and never stops. He is a communicator, and speaks to the mind as well as the heart of people. He reminds me of what I have learned about Ezra in the Old Testament who was a priest. He read and studied the laws of God, applied them to his own personal life, and taught others to obey God’s laws. As a result, the gracious hand of God was upon him, and God showed him favor.

Although the recipient of this year’s award is a large man in physical statue, he is equally a gentle man with a gentle spirit. It may be said of him that he has a presence about him that gets the attention of others in any gathering of people. That is not something he desires, wants, or even tries to gain. It is a phenomenon characteristic of this man of God whose very presence reflects the Christ Who resides inside of him.

I believe it may be said of him that he doesn’t think of himself more highly than he really is. He tends to make an honest evaluation of himself, measuring himself by the faith God has given and entrusted to him.

He has taught school, pastored churches, has been a radio speaker and producer of two radio broadcasts, served as an assistant conference superintendent, a college professor and dean of the department of Christian Ministries, as well as academic dean of one of our colleges.

After retiring, he thought, he served as the interim pastor of one of our great Pentecostal Holiness Churches in a rural community for two years. Later on, he came out of retirement once again to be the interim president of the oldest continuous running Pentecostal college in the world, and now serves as the Vice President for Academic Advancement for this Bible college.

He is known thoughout the Pentecostal Holiness Church as a Bible teacher in camp meetings, conferences, and convocations.

He is a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and churchman. His students think of him as a man with a generous and kind spirit. They remember him as a man of excellence and when he speaks his words are measured, thoughtful and dignified.

It has been my observation that he is at home no matter where he may be–and he often goes out of his way to make others feel the same. He is jovial, light-hearted and generous; there is nothing phony or calculating about him. When he engages you in conversation, you can always count on his undivided attention. He understands that people truly matter to God and to him.

He is married to the love of his life. They have been married for 54 years. His wife is a retired elementary school teacher with 32 years of service as a teacher. She served as a pastor’s wife for 26 years.

Our man of the year and his wife have two outstanding adult children. Their son is the head baseball coach of a high school in Middle Georgia, and director of media ministry at a large Baptist Church.

Their daughter was the first IPHC woman military chaplain to go on active duty in the Air Force. In fact, she did her required two years of pastoral leadership experience following her seminary education at Asbury Theological Seminary as my associate pastor when I was the senior pastor at Tarkenton Memorial Pentecostal Holiness Church in Athens, GA. She met her husband during her tenure with us. She is now a retired Air Force chaplain having served for more than 20 years.

Our man of the year and his wife have four grandsons and two granddaughters, ages 12-23.

This year’s recipient has completed fifty-five years of ministry (1957-2010) having been licensed in 1955.

The honors he has received are listed in the following biographical publications:

Who's Who Among America's Teachers 1990, 1991, 1999.
Oxford's Who's Who—1992
Who's Who in American Christian Leadership—1989
Who's Who in Georgia—1988
Who's Who in Religion—1985
Honorary member of ALPHA CHI; PI GAMMA MU; PHI THETA KAPPA; SIGMA BETA DELTA

His scholarly writings have been published in:
Preaching Resources, Vol. II, Pathway Press, Cleveland TN.
Preaching that Connects, Lifesprings resources, Franklin Springs, GA.

The 2010 Hugh’s News Man of the Year is married to the former Miss Nancy Linkous. Their adult children are: William Earl Beatty of Warner Robins, GA, and Eva Christine Sorrow of San Antonio, TX.

It is with a great deal of pleasure that I introduce you to The 2010 Hugh’s News Man of the Year, the Reverend Dr. G. Earl Beatty.

Earl and Nancy reside in Franklin Springs, GA.

They are treasured and trusted friends. I thank God upon every remembrance of them.

*See his biography at the conclusion of this article.

 
[Editor’s Note: If you would like to congratulate Earl Beatty you may write him, as well as Nancy who is the wind beneath his wings at:

The Rev. Dr. G. Earl Beatty
P. O. Box 176
Franklin Springs, GA 30639-0176

Or, you may choose to make a comment at the close of this newsletter blog.

Biographical Information and VITA
Personal

G. Earl Beatty (age fifty-four for the twentieth time!!!!)
P. O. Box 176--165
Franklin Springs, GA 30639-0176

Married to Nancy Linkous Beatty 54 years. She is a retired elementary school teacher with 32 years of service. Served as pastor’s wife for 26 years.

Family
•Adult Children: William Earl Beatty, Head Baseball Coach at Warner Robins High School in Warner Robins, GA. Co-Director of Media ministry at Central Baptist Church.

• Chaplain Major Eva Christine Sorrow (USAF retired)was the Wing Chaplain Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center--the largest hospital in the Air Force, located at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX. Ordained in the IPHC. Teaches in a private school in San Antonio, Texas

•Four grandsons and two granddaughters (ages 12-23)

Education:

Degree Institution Location Date
Doctor of Ministry, degree, Erskine Theological Seminary
Due West, SC  1987

Post Graduate Ohio Wesleyan University
(Political Science)
Delaware, OH    1972

Master of Divinity, degree, Asbury Theological Seminary
Wilmore, KY   1970

B. S. Elementary Education   University of Rio GrandeRio Grande OH   1965
B. S. degree in Biblical Literature
Homes Bible CollegeGreenville, SC    1957

Professional

•Vice President for Academic Development--Holmes Bible college, September 2009 - Present
•President (Interim) Holmes Bible College—June, 2008--September 2009
•Adjunct Professor of Homiletics, Emmanuel College—2006-Present
•Guest instructor Ga. Conference School of Ministry—2005- Present
•Executive Vice-President, Emmanuel College 2001-2006
•Senior Pastor (Interim), Franklin Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church 2002-2004
•Academic Dean, Emmanuel College, 1991-2001
•Dean, School of Christian Ministries, Emmanuel College, 1981-1990
•Pastor, White House P. H. Church, 1973-1981
•V. P. of Ministerial League, 1977
•Secretary of Ministerial League, 1975
•Assistant Superintendent Alpha Conference, I. P. H. Church 1977-1981
•Pastor Five Points P. H. Church 1957-1973
•Secondary School Teacher, Eastern High School, 1970-1973
•Middle School Teacher, Beaver Ohio, 1965-1968
•Producer and Speaker for the Voice of Pentecost Radio Broadcast, 1962-1994 (32 years Jackson, Ohio WLMJ and six years in Bay Minette, AL WMBA)
•Ordained Minister, IPHC, 1957-2010 (Completing fifty-five years in ministry having been licensed in 1955)

Honors

Who's Who Among America's Teachers 1990, 1991, 1999.
Oxford's Who's Who--1992
Who's Who in American Christian Leadership--1989
Who's Who in Georgia--1988
Who's Who in Religion--1985
Honorary member of ALPHA CHI; PI GAMMA MU; PHI THETA KAPPA; SIGMA BETA DELTA

Courses Taught at Emmanuel College from 1981-Present

Church Administration
Church Government
Communicating Scripture
Eschatology
Historical Geography of the Holy Land
History of the Pentecostal Holiness Church
Homiletics I and II
Ministry: Character and Service
Pastoral Care and Counseling
Pastoral Methods
Pneumatology
Senior Preaching Seminar
Supervised Ministerial Internships 1982-1992

Published in:

Preaching Resources, Vol. II, Pathway Press, Cleveland TN.

Preaching that Connects, Lifesprings resources, Franklin Springs, GA.

One of my favorite hymns is "And Can it be that I should gain..." by Charles Wesley.