Page five contains an article and picture calling attention to Jairy Hunter’s 25th anniversary as president of Charleston Southern University (see related story). This is an anniversary year for me as well. In 1974 — 10 years before Jairy arrived on the campus of what then was Baptist College at Charleston — I joined the editorial staff of The Baptist Courier. I have been here 35 years.
Don KirklandThere is more to our stories, however. Jairy and I — I was just Donny then and he was Buddy — were childhood friends and playmates. We roamed the plains of Elgin on our stalwart steeds of stick, dealing out swift justice to evildoers in the land.
The Hunters lived across the highway from the church parsonage. We spent many hours in their home. They were pillars of the church and dear friends. They also had a television and we didn’t.
Jairy was one of the first to congratulate me when in 1996 I was elected editor of the Courier. “Who would ever have dreamed,” he said with some wonder and more than a little amazement, “that two ‘stick horse cowboys’ from Elgin Baptist would be in two key positions for the South Carolina Baptist Convention?”
Who indeed. I know this without doubt: Our parents prayed fervently that their boys would be used of God according to his plan, according to his purposes — and for his glory.
In May of 2005, Charleston Southern University honored me far more than I deserved, awarding me the honorary doctor of letters degree. It was a high moment in my life professionally, spiritually and personally. It was granted by a Christian-oriented university I respect and appreciate. It came from the hand of a Christian educator whose friendship I cherish.
Do not misunderstand this Commentary. It offers no benediction on the careers of either Jairy Hunter or me. There still is work to be done in the fields of Christian education and Christian publishing here among South Carolina Baptists. We both are committed to that sacred task.
I am thankful for the role God has given me to play in the spiritual journey of South Carolina Baptists as a denomination devoted both to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
In 2004, on my 30th anniversary at the Courier, I called attention to the multitude of words I have written for the Courier during three decades — many of them as editor. I also mentioned in that Commentary a former Southern Baptist publication called “Kind Words.” It had its origins in Greenville in 1866 before ceasing publication in 1929.
Too bad it still isn’t around. I hope, however, that its spirit remains alive in the pages of The Baptist Courier.
It will benefit the cause of Christ and bring credit from God to each of us if we become known for speaking (and writing) kind words. This is especially true if those words of kindness are spoken to others of “the household of faith.” We all could use — and give — a little kindness during journeys that sometimes become tiresome.
I pray that when my day is done — both at the Courier and in life itself — that people will be able to recall kind words I have written and spoken.
When my late father was my age, he wrote a short testimony of his life to be shared with his family. He tapped it out with two fingers on an ancient Underwood typewriter that featured a wide carriage on which he weekly cut the stencil for the church bulletin.
His words have found an abiding place in my own soul, for they have become my own testimony as the years have advanced.
He wrote of his love for Christ’s church, for the people of God. “Nothing gives me more real joy,” he said, “than to be with his children in a worship service and hear his wonderful name praised in song and testimony. My heart overflows with gratitude when I have been able to help one of his children along the way. My own consuming desire is to be more like him each day and be used to bring blessing into another’s life.”
He felt keenly the presence of the Lord in his life, which he said “fills my soul.”
My dad concluded his concise witness to God’s love, mercy and forgiveness by saying of his Lord, “He knows all about me — my weaknesses, my failures, my unworthiness — and yet he trusts me and leads me to higher ground each succeeding day. Truly, ‘the longer I serve him, the sweeter he grows.’ ”
Jairy Hunter and I are co-laborers with all South Carolina Baptists in the fields of Christian service to which we have been called.
Not bad for two former “stick horse cowboys from Elgin Baptist.” Not bad at all. Thanks be to God.