Jack Morris
Little Escambia Baptist Church, Flomaton
Escambia Baptist Association
Favorite Verse: Philippians 4:13
Favorite Hymns: “He Hideth My Soul;” “Beulah Land”
Hobbies: Woodworking and fishing
Family Status: Wife of 59 years, Odette; sons, Eddie Morris and Gary Morris; daughters, Yvette Gandy and Karla Fulker; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren
Jack Morris, 79, of Flomaton has been a member of Little Escambia Baptist Church for about 67 years. Until a year ago he was the church’s music director, having served for half a century. Through the years he also worked in Sunday School ministry, either as teacher or director and has held many other offices in the church. Currently he is chairman of deacons, director of the men’s ministry, discipleship trainer for senior adults and a member of the choir. He has been involved in missions projects in the community and in West Virginia. An industrial electrician by trade, he has retired three times, the most recent being 18 months ago.
Q: What influences in your life pointed you to Christ at the beginning of your faith journey?
A: My Christian parents. We lived in the country. I was saved at around age 12 at a revival at Little Escambia.
Q: When and how were you led into your ministry work?
A: Growing up in the church I always liked to sing. I’d sing to the cows and hogs out behind the barn. In school we had a Future Farmers of America band and I sang in that. I sang in the church and grew into other ministries as needs came up.
Q: What does the ministry work demand?
A: It demands one thing for sure — commitment. If we’re not committed we’re not going to be there on a regular basis. I never have to decide when it’s time to go to church, whether I’m going or not. If I’m going to be involved in it, there’s no decision to make about whether I’m going to do it or not.
Q: What do you get from the ministry work?
A: The blessings you get from being involved. You see what God does. You see that everything flows together (such as how the song service goes along with the sermon, even though both were planned separately). There is no other explanation when you see that happen. You just rejoice in God’s handiwork.
Q: How do family members support you?
A: I have the full support of all my children and my wife in all of the things I’m involved in. I couldn’t ask for anything better.
Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: I don’t see anything changing as long as I am physically and mentally able. Jesus didn’t retire. He continues to work. I don’t see that there is any retirement from the ministry. The only plan I’ve got is to keep on.
Q: What difference will this ministry work make for you in the future?
A: There is just a fulfillment that comes with it. You have such a fellowship with the people.
Q: What difference has Jesus Christ made in your life?
A: He has given hope. I’ve seen the handiwork of God in my family. There’s no other way to explain things that happened; it was God. My wife had a brain aneurysm in 2008. Ordinarily they don’t make it to the hospital. (However) the aneurysm sealed itself. They didn’t operate until two days later. She’s never had a problem. To us, it’s a miracle. That’s the only way we can describe it. God is God; it’s not a miracle to Him. Without Him it would be hard to face the problems of every day.
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