Moffett Road Baptist Church, Mobile
Mobile Baptist Association
Favorite Verse: Philippians 4:13
Favorite Hymns: “Victory in Jesus” and “How Great Thou Art”
Hobby: Bird-watching in her backyard
Family Status: Husband of 60 years, Aubrey; children, Dona Hill, Ann Tobias and Walker Hill; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren
Jimmye Ruth Elrod Hill has filled the adult portion of her 78 years with service to her Lord, church and community. For about 40 years she taught children’s Sunday School and, for 15 years, a women’s Sunday School class. She was in the sanctuary choir for 50 years and in the hand bell choir, has assisted with the children’s and youth choirs, has been a Vacation Bible School worker and volunteers in a nursing home ministry. A cancer survivor, she continues to be involved in the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) as well as the J.O.Y. (Just Older Youth) Club, which she helped to form 50 years ago, and the J.O.Y. senior adult choir. “I just loved doing all that,” Hill said.
Q: What influences in your life pointed you to Christ at the beginning of your faith journey?
A: My parents. We lived in the country, but our neighbors had cars so we always got to church. I was saved in a tent revival meeting about age 12.
Q: When and how were you led into your ministry work?
A: I grew up with mother in her missions work in the Methodist women’s group. The first year Aubrey and I were in Mobile we were asked to teach the 8-year-old children. We were married young so many of the people in the church mentored us and helped us along.
Q: What does your ministry work demand?
A: Study was one of the main things — study for Sunday School and Bible study and missions study. And then there was choir practice. We still go to church two or three times a week. That takes a lot of physical effort on our part.
Q: What do you get from your ministry work?
A: Blessing after blessing. Joy. I just enjoy being at church — the worship, the music, the ministry, the fellowship, all of it.
Q: How do family members support you?
A: They are all very caring and supportive of us. Church is such an important part of our lives, always has been.
Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: I certainly plan to continue to be in Sunday School, worship, WMU and J.O.Y. — all those things I can do. We just plan to keep doing just as long as we’re able to.
Q: What difference will this ministry work make for you in the future?
A: The ministry keeps right on. The fellowship, the church family, supporting the staff, the ministry of the church — that’s so important to us.
Q: What difference has Jesus Christ made in your life?
A: He has given me peace and joy and strength, even when we have physical problems and things all families go through. I really couldn’t imagine getting through the things that my husband and I and our children have had without turning to the Lord and knowing that He is in charge.
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