Saturday, August 22, 2015
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
The Rev. Jack W. Pettis credits the direction, inspiration and faith foundation in his life to his grandparents, the late Herbert A. and Celia Mae Pettis.
Pastor Pettis, who has served 25 years at Mount Zion Baptist Church, will be honored next weekend for his service to the church and community.
He acknowledged that his grandparents, whom he regarded as his parents, provided the influence and example that has set the tone of his own life. They lived in Smithdale, Pa., a community near Pittsburgh, where farming and coal mining dominated. “They were the salt of the earth,” he said, adding “they had great faith.”
He and his twin brother, Zack, were in foster care because they were born to a single mother, Katherine Pettis, who could not care for them. From 11 months to 5 years old, their foster parents were Tom and Mary Jones; he was a deacon. Their grandparents then took over their care.
“My grandfather was a spiritual man. He loved to pray,” Pastor Pettis said. “I remember he had such grace and humility.” He died when the twins were 11 years old. The pastor’s brother is a deacon at his church in North Carolina.
Pastor Pettis said the small town had about 200 people and probably 80 or so were African American. “I have good memories of growing up ... the homey stuff,” he recalled. “It was a special place.” He added the town was close-knit and people helped one another. “We had a big grape arbor and garden, and people came to pick the grapes.”
“It was a humble life, but I believe the Lord had His hand on our lives,” Pastor Pettis said.
Pastor Pettis said he realized he had a calling to the ministry while “walking my post” at Fort McClelland in Alabama, where he was serving in the Army. “I felt I was communing with God.”
He admitted he resisted at first. After his Army tour from 1972-77, he attended Valley Baptist Church in Niles, under the tutelege of the Rev. Booker T. Brown. He said the family moved from Pennsylvania to the Mahoning Valley when his grandmother’s sister became ill and she came to help. He and his brother attended Niles McKinley High School and played football.
Pastor Pettis lauded the ministers who assisted him. “So many helped me along the way.” They included the Rev. Alfred Ward of Antioch Baptist Church. Others were the Revs. W.A. Clark, a longtime Mount Zion pastor, and C. Ricardo Walker, also of Mount Zion.
Pastor Pettis was offered the pastor’s position in 1990 and accepted. “The church saw that I had a pastor’s heart,” he said.
That came from an incident of violence that he responded to. A 16-year-old boy had been shot, he recalled. “I went to minister to the family,” he said. “As a pastor, one of the best parts is being able to help people through difficulties in life,” he said. “I’ve had a few episodes of dealing with tragedies firsthand.”
He describes himself as an “old-school pastor,” and relates to a Bible verse from Jeremiah 3:15, “Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.” In some versions, shepherds is replaced with pastors. “I hope I am a servant as a pastor,” he said.
A challenge most pastors face is attracting new, young members. “Years ago, mostly everyone went to church,” he said. “Now children don’t opt to go.”
He said Mount Zion tries to provide “opportunities to participate” through its youth program that offers mime, puppetry and choir.
Pastor Pettis, president of Ambassadors of Christ, said it was organized in 2000 and is an ecumenical group of Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, St. James Church of God in Christ, St. Stephen of Hungary Church/Holy Apostles Parish, We Walk By Faith Bible Church and Mount Zion. Its signature events are a cross walk on Good Friday and Lenten programs. Ambassadors also has a vacation Bible school, picnic and concerts.
He also promoted One Church, One Child Adoption/Foster Program of Children’s Services Board of Mahoning County. Three church families have adopted and foster children.
He said involvement in community groups is a vital aspect of ministry. Pride in the Valley, work ethic and strength are shown by church and community members who work to help the community.