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Hughes Part I: Memorial Service For A Champion

Acts-celerate Owner Posts: 6957 **4/7/11 5:02 pm**

This is Part I of a Four-Part Series about the life and April 7, 2011 Memorial Service for Dr. Ray H. Hughes. For 50 years he was one of the most powerful ministers in the Church of God organization which has it's headquarters in Cleveland, TN.

Here and at the end of each Part of the Series there is a link to the next. Following is the link to Part II: http://www.actscelerate.com/viewtopic.php?t=62427

MEMORIAL FOR A CHAMPION

by Doyle Daugherty
writedoyle@yahoo.com

FROM THE BEAUTIFUL sanctuary of the historic North Cleveland Church of God, COG, in Cleveland, TN., a “Celebration of Life” Memorial for Dr. Ray H. Hughes began with the North Cleveland Choir singing “Forevermore.” Dressed in their lovely blue and white choir robes, the song of praise to God wafted through the large sanctuary “ I will bless your Name forever more.”

With it being a weekday, most members of the choir had taken off from work to be there for the special time of honor as preparation was being made for the body of a Church of God Champion to be laid to rest.

It was a day family and friends had known would come and dreaded for some time. Over the months and weeks previously, the health of the 87-year-old Dr. Hughes, had dramatically deteriorated and the family had been on watch as plans were being drawn up to honor the dynamic minister who had such a major role in the Church of God for over 50 years.

IN OUR LIFETIME, most of us will not see in the Church of God anything that comes as close to being a “State Funeral,” as was the Memorial Service for Dr. Hughes, and rightfully so. Few men in a lifetime rise to have the influence and authority in any business or religious organization as Dr. Hughes held in the Church of God.

There was a time that his influence so prevailed in the Church of God until officially, nothing in the organization moved without his knowledge and permission. Even those who served in elective office, were there because he had wanted them there and had passed the word along. He could simply whisper "I like so-and-so" and votes would begin to swing their way.

Most likely, not since the first General Overseer A. J. Tomlinson, had any one man influenced and shaped the denomination in a more powerful way than Ray H. Hughes.

AS THE CHOIR sang, the North Cleveland COG TV crew, which did a masterful job of live-steaming the service over the internet, made what would become one of the most signature camera shots.

From the left side of the sanctuary, the camera slowly rose from near floor and altar level up through greenery past the pulpit and up slightly to the large video screen which featured a photo of Dr. Hughes looking down on the proceedings along with the words “Celebration of Life.”

Most attending the Memorial were not there only to celebrate the life of Ray Hughes but also to celebrate their life and accomplishments under his dynamic leadership. They had indeed gathered to honor him but also to remember joyous times of worship as he preached or as an expression of thankfulness that their life being connected to his had somehow been more dynamic and fulfilling under his leadership.

A RISING TIDE

Most of us are familiar with the statement “A rising tide lifts all boats.” In many ways, the Anointed life and ministry of Ray H. Hughes wasn't kept only to himself. His life became a rising tide to the Church of God that helped raise it's vision and purpose, dramatically increased it's efforts in church planting, set a high standard in preaching and led the way by example about the importance of education in Christian service and more importantly defined the priority of prayer and unashamed Pentecostal worship.

At a time when some Pentecostals strongly felt getting an education was somehow not trusting God or was almost a "worldly" activity, Dr. Hughes' personal example and leadership helped pave the way for an entire denomination grasping why education could be a powerful force in God's service.

IT WAS A TIME when many felt all a preacher had to do was stand up and God would fill his mouth. And a lot of time He did; with air.

Hughes' intelligence, education and his powerful Pentecostal preaching combined with it, helped him be a champion in moving the Church of God toward embracing education as a powerful tool.

If the denomination has drifted too far the other way with some seemingly seeking to substitute education for the Anointing and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, none of that is the fault of Ray H. Hughes. Every generation has to choose it's priorities. Hughes didn't believe it was an either-or proposition; education or Pentecostal power. He showed by example how the combination of the two can be a
powerful force for God and for good.

DR HUGHES once wrote a book “Church of God Distinctives” but through the years himself became one of the Church's most distinctive, innovative and energetic champions.

According to his family, in his years of ministry, Ray Hughes Sr. had traveled more than 7 million miles by plane and over three million miles by car with most of that being in Church of God ministry.

All members of the Church of God Executive Committee (5) and the Council of 18 were present for the Memorial service along with hundreds of other denominational leaders and friends and family from across the nation. As the time had neared when it seemed Dr. Hughes was close to passing from this life, word had gone out to any COG officials outside the U.S. to “Get back in country” for the observance.

Almost every person, if not all of them serving in top leadership of the Church of God today, are themselves recipients of the rising tide brought to the COG by Dr. Hughes. Most had started in ministry either from his direct influence or have been dramatically affected in a positive way through programs and Godly influences instituted by him.

writedoyle@yahoo.com

This has been Part One of a four-part feature article about the Memorial Service for Dr. Ray H. Hughes. Here is the link to Part II http://www.actscelerate.com/viewtopic.php?t=62427
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