Odenville’s Hyche celebrates 50 years in ministry

Odenville’s Hyche celebrates 50 years in ministry

Arzell Hyche recently celebrated his 50th anniversary in the ministry. Ordained Jan. 19, 1958, by Vine Avenue Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas, Hyche has since served as both a pastor and evangelist throughout the world, including Jamaica, Nigeria, Ghana, Estonia, England, Ukraine, Romania and Russia. Within the United States, he has served in Texas, Michigan and five Baptist associations in Alabama.

“The greatest blessing in my life has just been that God would choose someone like me to be the bearer of the good news,” Hyche said. “God can use anyone if He can use me.”

Hyche is currently the special ministries director for Bethel Baptist Church, Odenville, in St. Clair Baptist Association. In that role, he visits church members who are homebound, confined to nursing homes or in the hospital. He also teaches discipleship courses on Sunday nights and recently developed a prayer ministry for the church.

Throughout his ministry, Hyche said his wife, Christine, has been a source of support and his greatest protector. “She has always supported me and has always been there,” he said. “God gave her the wisdom to be able to perceive things I couldn’t. She’s a real visionary.” The Hyches have five children, 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.