Minister celebrates his 50th anniversary as church pastor

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Minister celebrates his 50th anniversary as church pastor

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Tuesday, 13 July 2010 14:12

Grace Baptist Tabernacle, 2947 Old Hickory Tree Road, St. Cloud, is celebrating the Rev. Howard F. Gregory’s 50th anniversary (April 14, 1960 – April 14, 2010), as its pastor of the church.
Gregory has devoted nearly his whole life, not only in preaching the gospel, but also in living it before others, a church member said.
Gregory was born on Jan. 24, 1927, in Boydton, Va., as one of four children to a tobacco farmer during the Great Depression. He learned many lessons about life growing up on a farm, which he has used so often in many of his sermons. He skipped a grade, and graduated from high school at age 16, and attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute. His education was interrupted by World War II, as he was drafted by the Navy to serve his country. He married Patricia E. Sofchek in 1946, when she was in nurses training.
During his lifetime, he rode motorcycles and enjoyed building and flying model airplanes. As a pilot himself, he flew small engine aircraft.
He was on his way up the ladder as an executive for a reputable insurance company making a good salary and benefits when, at age 33, he got the call one night in a church service to preach the gospel and win over souls for Jesus Christ. He accepted that calling, claiming Revelation 3:8, “I know thy works; behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” That verse is his testimony.
In 1960, he became the pastor of Grace Baptist Tabernacle in Richmond, Va. In those early years, Gregory preached in penitentiaries, rescue missions, nursing homes, door-to-door visitations, held weekly meetings in a small town nearby and had a weekly radio program, “The Hour of Grace.” He attended evangelical outdoor tent meetings with the Rev. Oliver B. Greene and assisted in the Billy Graham Crusade. He also taught at the Richmond Bible Institute for several years.
Gregory traveled to Australia on a gospel mission, where he stayed a month. He became friends with local residents, who seemed anxious to hear his ministry. He also had the opportunity to meet with the prime minister, who, he said, was very gracious to him.
Gregory, now 83, lives in St. Cloud with his wife of 63 years, Patricia, on a 20-acre ranch with cattle and dogs. They have two sons and one daughter, who live nearby.
He is still working tirelessly to preach the same “old-fashioned” gospel in the church, assisting speakers at every given opportunity.
One of his parishioners said: “This is truly a legacy of God’s love and faithfulness to this Man of God, and to his testimony of ‘Christ in you; the hope of glory.’ We praise our God for him.”
Submitted article