The pastor of the nation’s second-largest Southern Baptist church died Feb. 13, nine days after being diagnosed with lymphoma.
Homer Lindsay Jr., 72, was pastor of the 26,000-member First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Fla., for 31 years. He shared that role with co-pastor Jerry Vines, a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, the last 17 years.
Lindsay had recently announced retirement plans. He was scheduled to preach his last sermon March 26.
Lindsay reportedly learned he had cancer of the immune system Feb. 4, just one day after the funeral for his 38-year-old son, Homer Lindsay III, who suffered a fatal heart attack Jan. 28. The elder Lindsay attended the service in a wheelchair.
Lindsay started chemotherapy Feb. 6 but declined quickly. Vines told church members Feb. 13 that Lindsay was taken to the hospital early that morning and described his condition as “extremely grave.” He died that night.
Vines told a local newspaper the congregation was shocked by the suddenness of Lindsay’s death. “I don’t think any of us realized just how sick he was,” Vines told the Florida Times-Union.
Lindsay is survived by his wife of 48 years, Shirley, and three daughters.
Lindsay joined his father, Homer Lindsay Sr., as co-pastor of the historical downtown church in 1969. Together, they continued a turnaround begun when Lindsay Sr. took over the church in 1940. During the next 19 years, Sunday School enrollment grew from 2,385 to 14,172, and the church bought or built a total of nine buildings.
Growth continued to spiral after Vines came as co-pastor in 1982. The congregation moved into a 9,200-seat auditorium in 1993.
The church campus now consists of 14 buildings covering nine square blocks, in addition to a 155-acre campground out of town.
The church is probably best known in Southern Baptist life for its annual Bible conference and pastors’ school. This year’s conference was attended by more than 6,300 people. (ABP)
Share with others: