Scott, John

Big Hurricane Baptist Church, Brookwood
Pleasant Grove Baptist Association

Favorite Bible Verse: Whichever one I’m preaching on that week
Favorite Hymn: “In the Garden”
Hobbies: History buff and reading
Family Status: Married to Sarah for 41 years; two children, Jeremy and Erin; one grandchild

John Scott seems to have done it all. For 22 years, he served the U.S. Air Force as a pilot, trainer and instructor. He held various teaching and administrative positions at Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base and the National Defense University in Virginia. Two years ago, he retired from the University of Alabama after serving about 15 years in similar positions. Now he is pastor of Big Hurricane Baptist Church, Brookwood, where he hopes to spend the last days of his ministry.

Q: How did you become a Christian?
A: I became a Christian when I was 10 years old through Vacation Bible School, but my family discouraged me from being baptized. Then I made a public profession when I was 20 while I was a student at the University of Alabama.
Q: When and how were you led into the ministry?
A: In late 2002, I felt the Lord calling me to preach. I struggled with that for a couple of months, because it never crossed my mind to be a preacher. I was quite content to be a deacon and Sunday School teacher, but I definitely felt the calling. I talked to the pastor here, and after I prayed about it, I made a commitment to preach.

Q: What does the ministry demand?
A: All Christians are called to be ministers. I think the demand is the demand in the Great Commission that we are to make disciples everywhere we go. Being ministers is to be at the forefront of every day of our lives.

Q: What do you get from it?
A: It has been the greatest experience in my life. I’ve flown airplanes and I was able to live and work all over the world, and nothing compares to being the pastor of a little church in the country.

Q: How has your background affected your ministry?
A: There’s no doubt the Lord prepared me. I could not have done this without the life experiences I’ve had. From being in combat to serving at so many different churches to teaching and speaking to large groups, they all helped prepare me for the mechanics of being a pastor as well as the spiritual skills.

Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: I just would like to do this as long as the Lord and the church wants me here. I’m not looking to go to another church.