'Don't let what I taught you die'
The Hammond Times, February 9, 2001
PULLOUT: The funeral service for the Rev. Jack Hyles will be held at 10 a.m. today for members of First Baptist Church of Hammond, 523 Sibley St., Hammond. A private graveside service for the family will follow.
HAMMOND -- Thousands of Baptists got "Blessed Assurance" in a memorial service at First Baptist Church of Hammond on Friday that the ministry of the Rev. Jack Frasure Hyles will go on.
Hyles, who began preaching at the age of 19 and pastored for 54 years, left a legacy of Bible-thumping, soul-winning people behind.
"Our loss is heaven's gain," said Russell Anderson, a co-founder of Hyles-Anderson College.
Anderson recalled the preacher telling him, "When it comes my time for leaving, there will be no grieving."
The mood, though somber, was upbeat.
It was also compelling.
Some of the people closest to Hyles stepped up to the podium, including son David and Hyles' wife, Beverly.
Beverly, before drawing a standing ovation, told those in the audience that the newspapers said her husband died Tuesday of complications from heart bypass surgery.
"I believe he died of a tired heart, a weary heart," she said. "He loved people, serving people, helping people, and when he had to say, 'no,' because he did not have the strength or the time, it hurt him deeply."
Before Beverly turned the nearly two-hour service over to others, she advised mourners to use what they'd learned from her husband and apply it to their lives.
"You did not learn from Jack Hyles," she said. "You learned it from God because he walked with God."
Hyles' son, David, said his father lived his life a little above the clouds.
The man who became pastor of First Baptist Church in August 1959, always had an optimistic view on life and its challenges and controversies, David Hyles said.
The clouds were his carpet and the sky his footstool, David said.
"When he visited a church, he wouldn't come to cry with you, but to lift you," he said.
Speaker Jeff Owens said Hyles did not act like a big shot. He was not arrogant, and never talked down to people. "He put the jelly on the bottom of the shelf," so young people could reach it. "And a million children reached it."
Owens said Hyles' contributions were many, and he never lost faith in humanity, regardless of how hard critics attacked.
"He taught us that the ground is level at the foot of the cross," Owens said.
Ray Young wondered how many marriages and ministries Hyles saved.
"I wonder how many alcoholics he reclaimed," Young said.
"Only eternity will tell how many people he touched."
With that, and a few psalms -- and details about Hyles' humble approach to a church that increased in property value from $70,000 to over $70 million and in size from 44 to over 100,000 people, there came a voice.
It was Hyles' voice -- on tape -- telling all riveted in their chairs that he is just a voice.
"And when I'm gone, and my voice is silent, and you come to see me, don't let what I taught you die."