HAMMOND -- During an emotional moment at the Rev. Jack Hyles' funeral service in early February, his son-in-law, Jack Schaap, offered a little levity.
He told mourners at the First Baptist Church of Hammond that their pastor never let him pick up a restaurant tab, and took great joy plotting ways to snatch the bill away. "When I'd complain, he'd say, 'You gotta play fast,'" Schaap told the group, then admitted to being buffaloed several times before he was able to prove his mettle.
Schaap called in his credit card number to pay for the bill before he and Hyles arrived. As Hyles fussed about being bested, Schaap said he turned the table on the preacher, and replied, "You gotta play fast."
On Wednesday night, it was the congregation's turn to play fast.
Within a half-hour, 96 percent of the more than 3,000 church members who jammed into the auditorium at 523 Sibley St. picked Schaap to lead their church, one of Northwest Indiana's largest congregations. The church has about 10,000 members locally, and more than 100,000 internationally, since 1959.
Schaap, 43, wasted no time to fulfill a promise he said he made to Hyles on his deathbed to carry on the mission he'd begun 44 years ago.
On Thursday, he had one meeting and reception after another, and hammered out plans for a pastor's school that will take place in Hammond beginning March 19. Amid the harried pace, Schaap kept calm and had many feeling as if he had time to chat the day away.
It was a style Hyles was noted for. And it is a style Schaap already seems to have perfected.
"The greatest compliment I can have is when people say I remind them of my father-in-law," Schaap said. "He was not only my mentor, he was my hero. My dad and Dr. Hyles are the two greatest men I've ever met."
Schaap, who was born in Holland, Mich., came to Northwest Indiana in 1977 to attend, and ultimately graduate from Hyles-Anderson College. He met and married Hyles' youngest daughter, Cindy, and served the church early in his career as an assistant youth director. He served as a bus captain and a mentor to young students. He preached and taught in the college, and has been vice president of Hyles-Anderson for the past four years.
Wendell Evans, president of the college, said Thursday, "We have a pastor," and yet, "I don't think we did it hastily."
Hyles died on Feb. 6.
Evans called Schaap a "sharp guy" who is humble and has tremendous charisma.
"I used to marvel at how Hyles could do math in his head in front of 7,000 people," Evans said. "And Jack Schaap is the same way. He's a tremendous speaker, and with that huge auditorium and the crowd we have, you've got to be a strong speaker."
Eddie Lapina, the youth pastor, said he is very excited about the new pastor and feels Schaap is the right man for the job.
Lapina also said nine men who were chosen to serve on a pulpit committee selected Schaap as the first candidate for the post. One candidate was picked at a time, and had to collect a 75 percent approval rating to get the pastoral designation.
"I think everyone thought it would be Jack," Evans said. "I also don't think any other fellas on the church staff really wanted the job. It's like the poor fella who's following Bobbie Knight at IU. When you know a fella that's had such an outstanding record, it's rough -- a very difficult thing to do."
While Evans said Schaap undoubtedly is relieved the period of candidacy is over. He also may be feeling a little like Knight's replacement.
Schaap respectfully disagreed.
That's because he says no one will replace Hyles, only carry on his God-appointed ministry. "We're going to do the same stuff: We'll care about the homeless, the poor in Chicago. We'll keep our rescue mission strong. We'll meet the needs of everyone who walks through those doors." Those who came through Hyles' ministry felt a tremendous love of God, Schaap said. "That's what I'm going to carry."
Schaap said he plans to keep the focus on youth, as well. While the church is the heartbeat of the ministry, Schaap said he's always felt its perpetuity lies in the 1,000 or so Hyles-Anderson graduates who serve as pastors across the world. "I'd like to train another thousand," Schaap said.
Schaap said he and the congregation have felt a roller coaster of emotions in saying goodbye to a beloved pastor, hero and father-in-law in the midst of picking a new leader.
"These have been difficult days, but we've rallied together, and I believe God guided us through those days," Schaap said. "I believe Brother Hyles left a very well-oiled machine here, but he also left a tremendous team of workers who have a mind to work the church like a racehorse. Racehorses don't do well sitting in a stable."