Serving in the Middle East, Southern Baptist workers Pat and Judy Hoaldridge faced persecution in the form of newspaper articles and fliers that called for throwing them out of their neighborhood — as well as threats against their lives — all during the first years on the field.
Yet, as a result of the public attacks, people knew where to find the couple to ask about Jesus — and the Hoaldridges were able to help start churches all over the area. “After the construction of the new church a party was organized to thank neighbors for their patience,” Judy Hoaldridge said.
“Thirty Orthodox men marched in to disrupt it, but they remained for two hours listening to believers’ testimonies. Today there are many Messianic congregations throughout (the Middle East).”
The Hoaldridges were two of the 39 retiring Southern Baptist missionaries honored for their ministries July 17 during a special service of recognition at the International Mission Board’s (IMB) Missionary Learning Center in Rockville, Va. The missionaries represented a combined total of 1,215 years of sharing the gospel around the world.
Alabama Baptists honored during the event were Fred and Janice Day, Bill and Gerry Colston and Louise Donaldson. Janice Day is from Newton. Bill Colston is from Fayette. Donaldson is from Tuscaloosa and lives in Northport.
Jerry Rankin, IMB president, praised the missionaries for their “faithfulness in service all these years.”
“You have been obedient to God’s call,” Rankin said. “You went and labored in Latin America, entered those opened doors in the Middle East. When doors opened in Eastern Europe, you seized that opportunity to share the good news there. You’ve gone and dared to penetrate the massive cities of Asia with the good news of Jesus Christ.”
Continuing to serve
Many of the retiring missionaries plan to continue to serve. Some are returning to missions through the Masters Program, an IMB missionary service option for retirees, while others are already on staff at churches.
“My retirement wasn’t long,” said James Young, who served in Bangladesh for 34 years with his wife, Guinevere. “I am already a pastor of a church in Mississippi and will be involved in nine mission celebrations next year.”
Gordon Fort, IMB vice president of overseas operations, applauded the missionaries and their “scars of ministry” and led a prayer for their futures in ministry during a prayer of thanksgiving. “Your life has already preached your message,” Fort said. “And we want to say: well done.” (BP, TAB contributed)
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