Arriving one half hour early for the funeral services at New Testament Baptist Church, we found no parking place, though the church has parking for the 1,400 seat auditorium. Many hundreds of people were there to attend this memorial of my pastor, J.C. Joiner.
I was one of the throng of people who stood, all over the auditorium when one speaker asked those who’d been saved and called to ministry out of NTBC in Tucson at some time in the 60-year pastorate of Brother Joiner. There were three generations of us.
With all the scandals and reproaches and departures from sound biblical doctrinal truths brought upon the ministry by some, I have been grateful for those like Pastor Joiner who remained steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.
Someone else mentioned Pastor Joiner’s simple summary of life and purpose. It was: 1. Get saved. 2. Live like you’re saved. 3. Get somebody else saved. Life does not need to be as complicated as some make it.
Our Brother Joiner was able to join with Paul, who wrote- I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2Timothy 4:7-8