Reverend John Hill: Serving God for Fifty Years

By: Rick Leland, Contributing Columnist for the Three Rivers Commercial

There is a lot to learn from a man who has been serving God in full time Christian ministry for fifty years. A brief word or a short conversation with Pastor John Hill could never reveal the depths of his experience, wisdom, or love for God. Proverbs 3:5-6 says: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Pastor Hill has made this his life verse. He says, "You learn God and know that you can trust Him." One of the ways he learns to know God is by reading through the Bible three times a year.

Pastor Hill became a follower of Jesus Christ at age eleven. After graduating from high school he started taking classes at Western Michigan University, having decided on a career in architectural drafting. Not long after he started classes, God changed the path of his life. While attending a Youth for Christ rally in Grand Rapids: "I knew the Lord was saying I want you to preach. I surrendered my life to preach." Soon after, he enrolled at Grand Rapids School of Bible (presently Cornerstone University) receiving his Bachelors Degree in Christian Ministry in 1954. Pastor Hill continued his education over the years culminating in receiving a Doctor of Divinity Degree from Southern Seminary. In 1953 while still attending college, he took on his first assignment as a pastor for the Oakwood Bible Church in Kalamazoo.

Pastor Hill says: "I am small church oriented in my ministry, totally dedicated to preaching the Word of God, believing church growth is the will of God." Pastor Hill oversees two small congregations, Newberg-Norton Bible Church and the First Congregational Church in Lawrence. His dedication to God's call to grow the small, sometimes struggling churches has proven successful. He has pastored seven churches during his years of ministry.

Another path God had for Pastor Hill's life was that of a traveling crusade evangelist. He began this in 1983 continuing through1990. He traveled throughout the United States, also holding meetings in Europe and Africa. Pastor Hill called this time challenging: "The meetings came in; the money didn't always come in." During this time he had to meet all his expenses through offerings. He laughs, "I almost starved to death." Even during those demanding times he found many rewards holding crusades: "Through the years it has been a joy to see hundreds walk the aisles to get right with God."

Pastor Hill decribes his ministry: "I am a hands on type pastor. I love relationships with people. I have a servant's heart I love to make hospital calls. I love to make house calls. I love to be there when people go into surgery. I will pray for them to get well, until God says no."

The Newberg-Norton Bible Church is a church that loves to fellowship, matching nicely with Pastor Hill's style of ministry. With delight he comments, "You can't have service around here without having food." The church is probably best known for it's "Drive in Church." This is the fifth Pastor Hill congregation that has had a drive in church; the first being in Omaha, Nebraska. This is the sixth year at this location: "It's just now catching on" The concept is simple: a lot of music and a little preaching - all from the comfort of your car. For those with an appetite for food and fellowship, there is the opportunity after the service to enjoy some delicious food provided by the church members. Pastor Hill claims there is so much food that they force people to take three helpings.

The church, which always has a lot of music on Sunday mornings, takes the music outside on Sunday evenings from June through August at 6:00 p.m. A variety of Christian musicians are scheduled - from jazz, contemporary, acoustic, to gospel. Pastor Hill utilizes the drive in church to meet one of his ministry objectives: "Anchored to the Rock (Jesus), but geared to the times."

National statistics show that on average, a person who makes a career of Christian ministry lasts less than ten years. It's a tough job. Pastor Hill stands in the company of very few who have persevered through fifty years of ministry.

Rick Leland of Three Rivers is a contributing columnist to The Three Rivers Commercial and a member of the Christian Writer's Guild. He can be contacted by e-mail: rleland@net-link.net.