“Thankful for Special People Who Mean So Much to God’s Work”

By Dr. David L. Chancey
Pastor

Every church member is special, but some stand out for the contributions they make and the impact they have on God’s kingdom. Our church family just laid to rest a major segment of our history in the person of Thurman Creel. Thurman died last Tuesday, Nov. 11.

Since our church’s founding in College Park in 1921, the Creel name has been synonymous with Second Baptist, now McDonough Road Baptist in Fayetteville. Thurman’s parents, Tobie and Susie Creel, were founding members and meant so much to the growth and progress of our church. Tobie was deacon chairman for years and taught the Victory Sunday School class for at least 40 years.

Thurman grew up in a musical home. When he was six, he began taking music and voice lessons from Professor Askew, a local fellow who held music schools and all-day singings on his nearby farm. Thurman developed a love for music, and discovered he had a gift for it. So he grew into playing the violin and trombone and developed a talented voice.

At age 16, the church needed a song leader. Thurman was elected by the church to lead music in worship in September, 1936. No one knew at that moment that this 16-year-old kid who obviously had talent would build a legacy in church music circles. The years passed and Thurman went to work for International Harvester Co. and continued leading music part-time for Second Baptist. Along the way he built a ministry as he added choirs, ensembles, instruments and class. As College Park grew, Second Baptist grew, and the music ministry grew with it. No longer was the church an up and coming new congregation with a kid music director.

The church became a force and Thurman became a legend. He stayed in tune with changes and trends by attending the annual music week at Ridgecrest Baptist Conference Center, state and local workshops, and reading everything he could on church music. Interestingly, many of the ideas presented were things Thurman was already doing.

When he retired from International Harvester, he moved from part-time to full-time minister of music. When he retired on October 13, 1994, he had served 58 years in the same church. Georgia Baptist historians cannot find any other ministers of music who have that kind of tenure. Thurman holds the record!

Thurman worked hard to minister to as many people as possible through music. He knew music was precious to people and that members were passionate about their preferences. So years before a worship style known today as “blended” came along, he provided a mix.

He said, “What I’ve tried to do is give the people a musical program that would satisfy all the people some of the time and satisfy some of the people all of the time. You can’t satisfy all of the people all of the time.” Thurman said his longevity was based in part on his willingness to be flexible and to change with the times, using fresh new music, along with the traditional old-time hymns.

His longevity also is attributed to his love for people. His warmth and care were evident. Thurman was a guy who loved life and loved to laugh. He had a ready smile and funny story on the tip of his tongue. His love for the Lord was readily demonstrated, especially when he led congregational singing. No one led congregational singing like Thurman Creel.

When he retired in 1994 after 58 years, he immediately joined the choir and sang under his successor, David Brown, until nearby Sardis Baptist Church called him as part-time minister of music. He retired from Sardis in April, 2001, and again joined our choir until his failing health forced him back into the pew.

He was in his pew every Sunday. Even when he didn’t feel like venturing out any other place, he found his way to church for Bible study, morning and evening worship. He set a great example.

Now we imagine he’s singing in a heavenly choir. He may even be a guest conductor. They’re probably working hard on Christmas music. We join with Paul in saying, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” (Phil. 1:3).

(Dr. David L. Chancey is pastor, McDonough Road Baptist Church, Fayetteville. The church family meets at 352 McDonough Road and invites you to join them for Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:55 a.m. and 6 p.m. each Sunday).