When hurricanes and ice storms roll through, Bob Cox starts packing his truck. As a line worker for Pea River Electric Cooperative in Ozark, he’s often driving out into the dark pockets of Alabama and the surrounding states.
He says from a lineman’s perspective, “the best thing is when you can work and see lights come on.”
But as a pastor and follower of Jesus, he says the most rewarding moment is the one when spiritual light pierces the darkness.
“You never know what the Lord has for you when you go out to work,” said Cox, who also serves as pastor of Spring Hill Baptist Church, Clio, in Barbour Baptist Association.
But he sees over and over that he’s always got something — God puts people in his path who need the hope of Jesus.
When hurricanes Sally and Zeta hit in recent months, Cox spent time in different parts of south Alabama helping restore electricity.
Over and over, he found lives that needed restoration even more desperately.
“We were in Baldwin County on a Sunday morning hooking up some houses when a man came up and asked if we could hook him up,” Cox said.
After he asked permission and was given the go-ahead, Cox worked on the man’s house and they got to talking.
“He mentioned that he was surprised we would be there on a Sunday,” Cox said.
Cox then told the man that he felt it was like the story Jesus told in Luke 14:5 about rescuing an ox from a ditch on the Sabbath — when you see someone in need, you help them, regardless of the day.
It touched the man.
“He got to sharing with me and broke down,” Cox said. “He had lost his wife, son, sister and brother all in one year.”
Sharing hope
As they talked, Cox shared hope with him and prayed over him. And as he prayed, he began to hear “amens” around him.
“His neighbors had come out and gathered around and were listening,” Cox said.
At another site, he felt compelled to pray with the woman who owned the home, and afterward the two were able to talk more about her life and faith.
“She looked at me and said, ‘I really needed that; I lost my husband four years ago and my daughter’s in jail,’” Cox said. “It was just amazing how the Lord worked. I missed preaching, but I know it was a divine moment. I got to pray with folks and talk to them and minister to them.”
When he’s on the job but not out working in a storm-damaged area, Cox is still sharing the hope of Jesus.
For several years now, he’s been gathering with a group of coworkers every Wednesday morning at 6:30 for a Bible study they call Co-Ops for Christ.
‘Bold witness’
“Bob is one of those people who actually look for opportunities to share their faith,” said Don Hatcher, director of missions for Barbour Association who sometimes fills the pulpit for Cox when he’s away working after a storm. “When the opportunities arise, he is a bold witness for the Lord.”
Share with others: