Hugh's News & Commentary

Bishop Frank Tunstall's Tribute to Dr. James Taylor

Dr. James Taylor and Mary were vitally involved in helping Lu and me launch Northwest Christian Center in Oklahoma City. In fact, our children grew up together.

When the time arrived to build the first phase sanctuary of the Master Plan in 1981, I did not know where to turn for financing. The IPHC Loan Fund was not an option for us; at that season of its growth, the Loan Fund was making loans only to new churches in evangelism conferences.

I noticed one day that a new bank was under construction in northwest Oklahoma City and felt drawn to it. When the bank opened for business, I went to the bank president and told him I needed help building Northwest Christian Center's first unit. He responded by telling me that if I could get five people to co-sign the note, he would loan the money. The interest rate was 20% (in the stagflation years when Jimmy Carter was president.)

Each of the people I asked to co-sign agreed; no one turned me down. James Taylor and three others joined Lu and me, willingly submitting their financial statements; we signed the note together. A few years later, the banker told me that James Taylor's financial statement was the strongest of the five!

Looking back, without the help of James and Mary, Northwest Christian Center might not have been able to build. The guarantors were never required to make a payment; the congregation was not late with a single one.

I have always been grateful for James Taylor's faithful backing in helping Northwest Christian Center get started.