A Momentous Farewell
Farewell, Pastor Jim.
Last week, Dr. Jim Cook died after 92 years of life and ministry. His “larger than life” story and personality left an indelible impression on so many who, like me, were brought into his orbit through decades of faithful ministry.
Born in India, to missionary parents, his stories of early life in the jungle settings there (including a pet tiger!) were matched with those of his leading his mother and sisters across country to evacuation during World War 2. Living in Minnesota near relatives, Jim went to Bible college and seminary, and prepared to serve the Lord in missions.
He hoped to return to India after graduation, but the Lord didn’t open that door. Instead, Jim and his wife, Sylvia, served as missionary church planters in the Philippines. Sylvia became ill and a misdiagnosis led to a treatment that ultimately took her life. Left with two young boys, Jim married Shirley, who had been a friend of Sylvia’s. Together they went to Sri Lanka (called Ceylon back then). Jim and Shirley evangelized, trained pastors, and planted churches. During increasing upheaval in the country, their baby boy died when medical care was thwarted by an official’s hatred. Eventually, they had to leave the country with their boys after being under constant threat of death from rebels (so many stories of their ministry in those years remain imprinted in my heart).
Heading next to Hawaii, Jim and Shirley decided to settle their family there and plant a church. The birth and growth of International Baptist Church In Honolulu was incredible, giving birth to a Bible college and seminary as well. After 16 years of fruitful work there, he was asked to come to a congregation in need of revitalization in San Jose, California. His 15 years of faithful service there was followed by a full-time, worldwide conference ministry. After Shirley’s passing, Jim married Beverly, and for the last seven years she has been at his side in ministry and life (and a real encourager to Kathy and me).
It was near the end of his time in San Jose that Kathy and I first met Jim and Shirley while he was speaking at Hume Lake’s Lakeview Summer Conference. We sought them out after hearing Jim’s messages and sensing that this couple could be an encouragement to us—something we found ourselves needing in the midst of pastoral work. They proved to be so much more—encouraging and blessing us, praying for us, and becoming our friends. I was thankful to have him accept invitations to speak at my churches, to love on our kids, and to have them both lead a couples’ conference and Jim speak at a powerful men’s retreat. His message as we transitioned from our California church to Ohio was incredibly helpful. And I never had a conversation or phone call where he didn’t pray for me. I never tired of hearing his stories of ministry, usually leading to a challenge to trust God for bigger results than I was willing to ask for.
One of Jim’s providential gifts was introducing me to his son, John, and the work of Indigenous Ministries. I wound up traveling with IM while a pastor, then served on their board. And now, Kathy and I serve alongside John and Dee. Because of that, we had the privilege of regular visits with Jim and Bev during our trips to the home office in Colorado Springs. Jim and Bev hosted me in one visit and always made time for us whenever Kathy and I came to town. Our last visit was just two months ago.
This passing leaves a hole for many of us. But for me, it marks the departure from this earth of the last of my spiritual mentors. Interestingly, their passings have occurred in the order in which I first met them.
Alan Somers—my youth pastor and then my first “boss”—I served as his assistant for seven years. He helped me gain assurance of my salvation and taught me more lessons on pastoral life and ministry than I can list. A visit during his final days ended with his laying hands on me and praying for my continued faithfulness in ministry.
Harold Green—campus pastor at Cedarville U. He challenged me, gave me ministry opportunities I didn’t deserve, and helped me grow into a lover of the local church. I had the blessing of being his pastor in his later years, present during his final days as well.
James Grier—the college professor who made me think more deeply about more things than ever before, and then gave me the privilege of being his grading assistant and learning invaluable lessons through time together.
Robert Saucy—the seminary professor who taught me how to think through issues by gently asking me questions that tied me in knots. Not just brilliant, he was humble and humorous. He became interested in me and my ministry and helped me through key life and ministry issues.
James Cook—the missionary/pastor statesman who made me feel like Timothy to his Paul.
These are the five men who have been my mentors as a Christian and in seeking to be a good servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. At various points in my life—some for a season, some for multiple seasons, and some throughout our lives—each of these men took me under wing and taught me vital lessons in life and faith. I listened to the wisdom they shared. I observed the ways in which they lived out their faith. They opened their lives to me in many different ways. I felt the freedom to ask these men tough questions and had the privilege of enjoying their company.
And now, they are all with the Lord that they loved and served here.
I suppose that this is to be expected. After all, I’m now an older man myself and the generation ahead of me is passing from the scene (although some of these men left “early” by human reckoning). Nevertheless, I am left with a profound sadness and an awareness of the gifts I’ve been given by each of these faithful men. My hope is that I have and will be faithful to my 2 Timothy 2:2 responsibilities to take what has been given to me by these men and pass it on faithfully until I join them in Jesus’ presence.
