Hugh's News is indebted to the Rev. Mr. Larry Jones, the Archivist of the South Carolina Conference, for sending me a fax copy of a document about the Rev. Dr. Jesse D. Simmons who served as their conference superintendent from 1982-1985.
This is Thursday evening, and I am composing this accounting of the life, ministry and message of Jesse D. Simmons from a copy sent by fax. I do what I can to get you the news as fast as possible with accuracy and excellence. It is hard work, but it is something I love and do with a passion because I love all the readers of Hugh's News in the United States and around the world.
The Man:
Jesse Simmons was born in 1926 in Halifax County, Virginia. His parents were Benjamin and Elizabeth Simmons of South Boston, Virginia. He was the youngest of six children.
Jesse was first saved in the Methodist Church at the early age of 10 years, and joined the Methodist Church when he was 12 years of age. In his mid-teens he attended a Baptist church with his parents and went to the altar to make further commitment to the Lord. In his late teens he wandered from the Lord. During that time, his parents began to attend the Pentecostal Holiness Church in South Boston. One day he cut his foot severely with an axe which put him on crutches for some time. It was then that he began attending the Pentecostal Holiness Church with his parents. He began to get involved with the youth of the church, and received a wonderful experience with the Lord.
At this time Jesse met Lois Ingram, an outstanding Christian girl. When Jesse was 17 years old, he decided to volunteer for the Army and serve during World War II. He served in the Philippine Islands and received battle stars for the battles of Luzon and Leyte. When the war ended, he was sent to Japan and served in the Military Police. During this time, Jesse and Lois continued their correspondence with each other, and they both knew that God had destined them to dedicate their lives to each other. In 1947, Jesse and Lois were married. Into this marriage were born five children. 'Their first son, Rodney Doyle, blessed their home for 10 years, and then God saw fit to call him to heaven. God also blessed their home with three girls and another son. They are Nova, Debra, Ginger and J. D. Jr. They were also blessed with seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Early in their marriage Jesse and Lois worked in the textile industry for a couple of years. When Jesse accepted a job in Rockingham, North Carolina, they started attending the Pee Dee Pentecostal Holiness Church. Dr. H. P. Robinson preached a revival and during that time Jesse made a complete commitment to God and the call to preach came on his life very strongly. From that moment on Jesse realized that the remainder of his life would be spent preaching the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesse and Lady Lois were married for 55 wonderful years before God called her home to heaven. During her illness, she knew that she would soon be going to heaven. She often said, "Until God is ready to take me, no one can make me go, and when God gets ready to take me home, no one can make me stay." You see, to Lois her death was no big deal.
In 2001, God placed another lovely lady, Alfreda Spell Flowers, in Jesse's life. Alfreda's life has been dedicated to God since she was a young child. Jesse and Alfreda are having a wonderful life in this new season that God has given to them. They plan to work together in the years to come and serve Him with gladness.
People have said that Jesse has a magnetic personallity that draws people to him making it possible for him to talk openly to them about the Lord of his life. Bishop Leon O. Stewart once commented that one of Jesse's strong points was being able to have a strong stage presence during his preaching as well as in his administrative duties as a conference superintendent. Jesse is a happy person and enjoys being around family and friends. He has always been a person who believes in strong work ethics, and he strives to serve the Lord with excellence.
His Ministry:
In the fall of 1949, Jesse entered Holmes Theological Seminary where he earned a Bachelor of Theology degree and a Bachelor of Sacred Literature degree. Holmes later honored Jesse by presenting him an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree. He also holds an Honarary Doctor of Religious Education from Agape Christian University in Los Angeles, California. He completed a clinical training program in Pastoral Counseling at the Baptist Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. Jesse also attended Columbia Bible College while pastoring in Columbia.
Jesse's awards include: Personality of the South Award, 1979; Distinguished Service Award by Holmes Alumni Association, 1983; Who's Who in Religion, 1992-93; and Who's Who International, 1994-95.
Dr. Simmons has been in ministry since 1950. During the first years of his ministry, he was an evangelist in the South Carolina Conference of the Pentecostal Holiness Church. Then he served as pastor for 30 years in the South Carolina Conference of the IPHC.
Dr. Simmons pastored four churches in the South Carolina Conference:
Laurinburg P. H. Church -- 1954-55
Johnsonville P. H. Church -- 1955-56
Ebenezer P. H. Church, West Columbia -- 1956-76
Crossroad World Outreach Center (formerly Three Fountains P. H. Church) West Columbia -- 2000-08
Brother Simmons' work and ministry is far too extensive for me to take the time to compose it from a fax copy. So, let me move on to his ministry as an elected general official of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, Inc.
In 1985, Dr. Simmons was elected to the General Executive Board of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church as Assistant General Superintendent and served for four years as Director of the Department of Evangelism and the General Loan Fund. In 1989, the IPHC honored Dr. Simmons by electing him to serve as Vice Chairman of the IPHC. He held that position for four years. He also served for eight years as Executive Director of World Missions and Chairman of the Chaplain Ministries Board, and served on the General Executive Board for the IPHC for twelve years.
Up until his death, Jesse Simmons continued to serve in his local church as well as in the South Carolina Conference.
[Editor's Note: I wish I had the time to tell you about my relationship with Jesse Simmons. I served with him as representatives on the World Missions Board when he and I were World Missions directors for our respective conferences (me--Alabama and Georgia). Then, I had the privilege to serve with him for eight years when he was the executive director of World Missions Ministries. I have traveled with him to London and San Jose, Costa Rica and many cities in the United States. He often called me with a word of encouragement and to pray with me. I have called him as well. He was always positive and full of faith and optimism.
He has preached for me in my churches in Athens, GA, and in Richmond, VA. The last two times I saw and talked with Jesse was at the Centennial Celebration in Falcon, NC, in January 2011, and at the graduation at Holmes Bible College in May 2011. I will certainly miss this great man of God who became a very close friend. I honor Jesse Simmons in his death.
The Holy Scriptures teach us this about death:
Revelation 14:13
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
KJV
We can trust Jesus with our life, ministry, work and in death. We will fear no evil for He will be with us through it all. I am glad I have come to know Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord.
I rejoice in the promotion of Jesse D. Simmons to heaven and his reward there.
Posted on
Fri, August 5, 2011
by Hugh Morgan