05 LC 98
0528
Senate
Resolution 540
By:
Senators Harp of the 29th, Johnson of the 1st and Goggans of the 7th
A
RESOLUTION
Remembering
and honoring the life and ministry of Dr. William H. Hinson; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
William H. "Bill" Hinson was born in Snipesville, Georgia, on September 5, 1936;
and
WHEREAS,
he received his Bachelor of Arts from Georgia Southern University in 1958, a
Bachelor of Divinity from Candler School of Theology in 1960, a Master of Sacred
Theology from Boston University in 1961, and a Doctor of Sacred Theology from
Candler School of Theology in 1970; and
WHEREAS,
he preached his first sermon at age 18 and went "on to be recognized as one of
the most gifted preachers in Methodism" and, indeed, in the world; his passion
and all consuming love for preaching the hallmark of his 50 years of ministry;
and
WHEREAS,
he began his ministry serving in the Baxley Circuit, Atlanta, Douglas, Savannah,
Columbus, and Albany, Georgia, before moving to Texas in 1983 where he spent 18
years as senior pastor of one of the nation's largest churches, the First United
Methodist Church of Houston, which became the most ethnically diverse
congregations in the whole Methodist Church under his leadership;
and
WHEREAS,
he preached the Gospel with clarity and conviction, gave a clear and unreserved
call to discipleship, honored the Scripture as the ultimate authority and the
cross of Jesus Christ lifted up as the sole source of salvation for human kind,
and brought 8,500 new members to the Houston church of which 3,500 were by
profession of faith; and
WHEREAS,
he was a missions pastor, who believed in taking the Gospel to the whole world
and inspired his members to do more for the poor than many denominations,
including sending "The Spirit of Grace" filled with food, clothing, medical
supplies, and grain to orphans and the poor in North Korea and establishing
Methodist missions in Cambodia, Thailand, Russia and Eastern Europe;
and
WHEREAS,
he placed a high priority on the youth of his churches, developing them
spiritually throughout their Deep Creek, North Carolina tubing and camping
adventures where many of them gave their hearts and lives to Christ; and
WHEREAS,
he authored several inspirational books and provided excellent leadership within
the United Methodist Church in numerous capacities including Founding Member and
President of the Board of
The Confessing
Movement with the United Methodist Church;
and
WHEREAS,
in retirement, he was actively involved with duties at First Methodist
Huntsville, yet he continued preaching at many annual conferences, pastors'
schools, camp meetings, and revivals at home and abroad, continued writing,
consulting, and being involved with evangelism to Africa through Africa
University, and teaching at Asbury Seminary in addition to pursuing his hobbies
of gardening, golfing, traveling, and spending time with his 13 grandchildren;
and
WHEREAS,
he was a faithful and devoted husband to his junior high sweetheart and wife of
48 years, Jean Laird Hinson, and together they reared three wonderful children,
Elizabeth Hinson Elder, John Laird Hinson, and Catherine Hinson Hicks who
married John Elder, Emily Hinson, and Joseph Hicks; and
WHEREAS,
the title he loved most was being Awdaddy to Catherine, Jonathan, Anna, Rebecca,
and Rachel Elder; William, Laura, Sarah, and Melanie Hinson; and Margaret, Jean,
Joseph, and Abigail Hicks; and
WHEREAS,
by the example he made of his life, he made this world a better place in which
to live, and with his passing, the State of Georgia has lost an esteemed native
son.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join
together to express their deepest regret at the passing of Dr. William H. Hinson
and extend their most sincere condolences to his family.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the family of Dr. William
H. Hinson.