Heaven has gained another champion, but we have lost one of my heroes.
I still remember the first time that I met Dr. Collins Glenn. I was a student at Bob Jones University, and he was preaching in chapel and teaching in ministry classes. I still have the notes for his workshop. I was immediately impressed by his aristocratic sounding, South Georgia accent, and his striking dark red hair. Little did I know that our ministry paths would cross several years later when I received a phone call from him inviting me to join him on his pastoral staff at Grace Baptist Church in Muncie, Indiana.
I was a twenty-eight-year-old church planter, who had just handed the reins of our church over to another pastor. I saw this invitation as an opportunity to be mentored by a veteran pastor who was a quiet giant in my eyes. His words to me specifically were, “Jeff, come get in my hip pocket.” What transpired next was four of the greatest years of my life and ministry as my wife Joanna and I, along with our two children Caleb and Bethany, moved to Muncie. We served in what I consider one of the greatest churches in America, alongside Pastor Glenn and an amazing pastoral staff. We made life-long friends. Abigail and Hannah were born while we were there. I still remember our family singing on the last Sunday night before we moved away. I remember the tears as we were leaving a ministry that we had come to love. I often tell people that our time in Muncie was like a second master’s degree for me.
It was through Pastor Glenn’s example and influence, that my pastoral philosophy was shaped. His commitment to Christian education and missions were formative in how I would lead the next two churches that I would pastor.
Pastor Glenn was a man of conviction and character. You always knew where he stood, but he was also one the most patient people that I have ever known.
Faithfulness is another word that characterizes his life and ministry. Faithfulness to his family, to his church, to the Scriptures, and most of all his Savior.
I remember him saying often, “Leadership is influence.” I would not be the person that I am today without the influence of Pastor Glenn.
To this day, every time that I hear the old hymn, “Zion’s Hill,” I think of Pastor Glenn.
There waits for me a glad tomorrow,
Where gates of pearl swing open wide,
And when I’ve passed this vale of sorrow,
I’ll dwell upon the other side.
Chorus
Someday beyond the reach of mortal kin,
Someday, God only knows just where and when,
The wheels of mortal life shall all stand still,
And I shall go to dwell on Zion’s hill.
Someday I’ll hear the angels singing,
Beyond the shadows of the tomb;
And all the bells of heaven ringing,
While saints are singing, “Home, sweet home.”
Someday my labors will be ended,
And all my wand’rings will be o’er;
And all earth’s broken ties be mended,
And I shall sigh and weep no more.
Someday the dark clouds will be rifted,
And all the night of gloom be past,
And all life’s burdens will be lifted,
The day of rest shall dawn at last.
As the second verse states, “home sweet home,” I am rejoicing when I think of Collins Glenn, my mentor, my friend, my pastor, as he entered into the presence of his Savior.
Jeremiah 31:6 Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the Lord our God.