By Leigh Pritchett
Correspondent, The Alabama Baptist
Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 1
Favorite Hymn: “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”
Hobbies: Learning; playing card games on computer
Family Status: Widower since 2016 following 67 years of marriage to wife, Hazel; children, Donna, Paula and John; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren
At 95, Jack Collier, of Birmingham, is chairman of deacons, trustee and member of three committees at his church as well as Sunday School teacher at a Forestdale fire station. Years ago, Collier was a founding member of the Hillview Volunteer Fire Department. An auto and diesel mechanic, he operated Collier Center Filling Station in Forestdale. During World War II, he was an Air Force pilot, attaining the rank of first lieutenant.
Q: What influences in your life pointed you to Christ at the beginning of your faith journey?
A: My grandmother and my grandfather, my family and aunts and uncles. I was in my 30s when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
Q: When and how were you led into your ministry work?
A: My daddy told me to go to church and it kind of grew from that.
Q: What does your ministry work demand?
A: To change my irritating ways — (from) being too mouthy to being somewhat less mouthy. To live and learn to do better. To assist and take part in the work of our church and its missions.
Q: What do you get from your ministry work?
A: There are little places where the Lord blesses me — Scripture that means something, sometimes the people I know at church and deal with. The Lord kind of ministers to me all along. I get puzzled and study my Bible. I get from it knowing Jesus, knowing God.
Q: How do family members support you?
A: As much as they can. They are loving and kind and generous and do anything they can to help.
Q: How do you see yourself involved in this in the future?
A: Ministering in the church and to be a good citizen.
Q: What difference will this ministry work make for you in the future?
A: Heaven. As long as my health holds out, I will be going to church. And my health is good for an old man.
Q: What difference has Jesus Christ made in your life?
A: He saved me from the graveyard a long time ago and he keeps on doing it. He overcame all those idiot mistakes I made. Sometimes when I made stupid errors, He compensated.
If you know of a person who should be featured as “Someone You Should Know,” send his or her name, a contact number and the reason you think he or she should be featured to: Someone You Should Know, c/o The Alabama Baptist, 3310 Independence Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209 or news@thealabamabaptist.org.
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