C.B. Hastings was the first Baptist I saw, and probably the best I ever witnessed, who modeled how to build meaningful relationships with persons of varying faith perspectives. I have participated in dialog many times, before and since watching C.B. Hastings at work, but I never saw anyone give and gain respect among persons of differing religious perspectives like C.B. Hastings. He was to me a true pioneer for Baptists, and was recognized as such for his work with Roman Catholic leadership. If a real Christian must respect and have real concern for others, even though different, C.B. Hastings modeled that for many of us first and maybe best. Ron Cook, George W. Truett Theological Seminary |
On October 13, 1924, Dr. L. T. Hastings, pastor of First Baptist Church, Monroe, LA, performed the wedding ceremony of my mother, Pearl Butler, who had grown up in FBC Monroe, and of my father, Richard Holmes of Simsboro, LA, a student at the Baptist seminary in New Orleans. The wedding took place on the front porch of the Butler home on South Second Street in Monroe. Your grandfather was a loving pastor and a friend of the years to my parents and my mother's family. At the time of my parents' wedding, Dr. Hasting's son, Brownlow, was eight years old. My father's first pastorate after seminary was in Bossier City, LA, so we were able to visit grandparents and other relatives and attend services at First Baptist Church while in Monroe. I remember seeing a very active teen-age preacher's son on one of our visits. Through various Baptist meetings of the Southern Baptist Convention, through visits with friends at Park Cities Church in Dallas during the late 1960s, but mostly through visits to Rome, Italy, during Vatican Council II, my husband and I came to know and love Brownlow and Jeanette Hastings. From 1962 to 1985, my husband was pastor of Rome Baptist Church (English language), which he led in founding in 1962. The international fellowship of believers is very welcoming and loving, and Brownlow felt he had a "home church" in the Eternal City. Jeanette joined him on a couple of occasions, but mostly he came alone. We enjoyed Bible studies, meals, sight-seeing with them and we enjoyed learning about details of the Vatican Council and of the people involved in the process. Through the years we corresponded with them, mostly with Christmas letters and cards. After our retirement, we traveled on one occasion to a Catholic seminary in Tennessee to see Dr. C. B. Hastings honored in a special service for his work in ecumenical relations. After Jeanette's death, Brownlow and I continued to exchange family news. To all of the descendants of Brownlow Hastings I give my sympathy for the physical loss of your loved one. But, I joy with you that he was a man of faith and is now at home with the Lord, a "great cloud of witnesses", Jeanette, and Ryan. Helen Ruchti Rome, Georgia-Rome, Italy |
I had only been at the Home Mission Board a few months when Dr. Hastings joined the staff and I was assigned to work for him as his secretary in the Interfaith Witness Department. He was very gracious as I learned his "shorthand" and terminology. Shortly after he came, he began going to Conyers to read Greek with the monks and one day he returned to the office and mentioned that the monks earned money by making bread at the monastery and also by running a nursery. I said "They baby-sit?" (not realizing that the nursery he was referring to was for growing plants). I still remember how he laughed and laughed. It was a lot of fun working with him and Billy Mitchell. They kept the whole office in stitches much of the time. I have many wonderful memories of my work in Interfaith Witness, and Dr. and Mrs. Hastings are a part of those memories. In 1981 Mrs. Hastings directed Jimmy's and my wedding and Dr. Hastings performed the ceremony. We owe them a debt of gratitude. Joyce (Lowe) Johnson, Retired 12/04 from the North American Mission Board |
Juanita and I have known Brownlow since we joined with him in the 1938 Fall semester class of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was a graduate of Baylor University while Juanita entered the Seminary from Howard Payne University and I from Hardin-Simmons University. We three were not married at the time but we did double dating many times during our first two years in the Seminary. Brownlow was the owner of one of the few cars that seminarians possessed at the time. And he generously shared his transportation with his classmates and their dates. Juanita and I were getting serious toward the end of our second year and I finally gave her an engagement ring. I pastored several part time pastorates just as Brownlow did and I married Juanita on August 15, 1940. Our first full time pastorate was at the Second Baptist Church of West Frankfort, IL. The next year, 1941, Brownlow followed us to Illinois as he became the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Harrisburg. Since we were in the same part of the State we naturally renewed our friendship of Seminary days. Therefore when he and Jeanette Allard anounced their wedding plans Juanita and I were invited to be a part of that glorious occasion. As it so happened Juanita and Jeanette worked at Ridgecrest Encampment during the same summer holidays. Both Brownlow and I became chaplains in the Armed Forces, I in December of 1942 and Brownlow a year later. From there our paths took different directions. After the war Juanita and I were appointed to the work in Brazil by the Foreign Mission Board and Browlow and Jeanette pursued graduate degrees in the Louisville Seminary. We had brief encounters with Brownlow and Jeanette during our furlough years especially when John, their first child, and Helen, our first, became good friends in Hardin-SImmons University. We were already back in Brazil when John and Helen were married, the ceremony performed beautifully by Brownlow. We visited Brownlow and Jeanette many times even after we retired. We were in their home in Memphis in 1990 and again with them in Austin the same year to help celebrate John and Helen's silver wedding anniversary. In 1994 we recommended our trips with the Brennan tours so they decided to join our group in Bangor, ME for a motorcoach tour of Eastern Canada. During the tour we saw many historic places together and were highly pleased with the few days of fellowship. Finally in 1998 Brownlow and Jeanette moved from Memphis and bought a home in Pflugerville, TX. Once again we were neighbors with them. We belonged to different Baptist churches but would eat together on Sundays as well as on other occasions. We enjoyed many happy get-to-gethers in our home or in theirs. Quite unexpectedly this blissful relationship came to an end when Jeanette fell and broke her hip. It looked like she would recover from the operation but that was not to be. Brownlow and the family at first thought it best for him to remain alone in their home. But finally they recognized that he needed a great deal of assistence and required a facility that could give him more personal care. This was fairly satisfactory about four years until our Lord called Brownlow home. So our relationship spanned several decades. He was a great influence in our lives as well as in a mutitude of other people. He was a scholar who wrote several books and was constantly doing research for other books. He leaves us a rich heritage for which we are grateful. And this continues through his immediate family and will continue paying dividends throughout all eternity. Charles and Juanita Dickson |
Bless you and your family, John. You dad was a great Christian leader. I knew him from my HMB days years ago. Marv Knox |
C.B. was one a hero of mine. He was so generous of spirit, so gentle of heart and one of the best of friends, great to be around. His wonderful traits are reflected in his children. Blessings on you all. Walker Knight |
I worked with Dr. C. B. Hastings at the North American Mission Board (formerly the Home Mission Board) in the Interfaith Witness Department in the late 1970s. Dr. Hastings was the "learned sage" of our department, but took the time to teach, train and occasionally correct me, a rather unlearned sort, as I had opportunity to be in front of thousands of young people. His gracious spirit, sharp mind and comfortable manner ministered to me at a critical time in my life. He not only taught me the letter of the faith, but the spirit of it, too. It was my pleasure over the years to occasionally see Dr. Hastings and clumsily attempt to express my gratitude for his investment in me. While we'll miss him here, there's got to be a celebration going on in heaven for a life well-lived. Chris D. Elkins Director - Relationship Management Financial Solutions and Services - Churches GuideStone Financial Resources - SBC |
While serving with the Home Mission Board from '80-97 I was reacquainted CB Hastings. I came to know Jeanette and CB through Gail Hastings, my student and secretary, when I served as Campus Minister at Samford University in the 70's. I"ll never forget the day CB came from his Interfaith Office to my office, sat down and gave me this advise. I was terrified of his brilliance. It has come to my attention that this agency is giving you the opportunity to represent it through your speaking. That's a good. May I suggest to you, that part of your preparation would be to consider spending some time in silence at the Monastery in Conyers Georgia . He gave me the direction and then described to me what a day alone there might look like. A huge step for me, a baptist going to a Catholic Monastery. Perhaps out of fear, that Cb might ask me about it, knowing so little about the Catholic faith, and a drawing towards this mans passion. That first trip to silence, became for me a habit, that continues to this day, sometimes at a Monastery and most often in my own 'quiet place.' I am grateful to this man and his precious wife, Jeanette for the many gifts they placed into my life, through their life and ministry and more especially, through their daughters, my friends, Nancy and Gail. With many fond memories, Esther Burroughs |
Surely, Dr. CB's maternal grandparents, John P. Brownlow (1841-1917) and Hester (Ussery) Brownlow (1838-1914), have proudly smiled down upon this wonderful grandson, for he has followed the path of the Lord as they would have wished. A great man has passed from us. Lewis Brownlow |
Family Tributes |
| John Hastings, son |
| Larry Hastings, son |
| Rev Nancy Hastings Sehested, daughter |
| Abigail Hastings, daughter |