Memorial Day was created as a federal holiday to honor the men and women who died in military service to their country.
Today, many people also observe the day by honoring their loved ones who have died, and highlighting those veterans who served their country still is an integral part of the holiday.
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How do we honor Christian soldiers of the faith -- those mighty men and women of valor who spent their lives in service to the Lord? I think we do it the same way we pay tribute to the military veterans who have died: We cherish their memories and remind others of all they have done to spread the Gospel.
This month, the faith community said goodbye to three Oklahoma "soldiers" who fought the good fight of faith. The three dedicated much of their lives to ministry, said friends and family members. They are Charles "Charlie" Graves, 75, a longtime Southern Baptist leader who died May 5; Warren M. Angell, 98, dean emeritus of Oklahoma Baptist University's Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts, who died May 6; and Wade T. Jernigan, 78, a longtime Free Will Baptist leader, who died May 15.
Graves is known for his pastorship at several metro area churches, most notably Nichols Hills Baptist, now Quail Springs Baptist. He was a witty gentleman, who was once presented a book with his own "preacherisms" by members of Quail Springs Baptist, according to the Baptist Messenger, the official news journal of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.
A graduate of OBU, Graves served three terms as president of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. He served four terms on the OBU Board of Trustees and on the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, according to the Baptist Messenger. In 1998, he was honored as a distinguished alumnus of Southwestern Seminary.
Renowned musician Angell died a week before his 99th birthday. He liked to spread the Gospel through song.
In 1936, he became dean of the College of Fine Arts and professor of piano, organ and theory at OBU. The school was struggling for survival during the Great Depression, according to the Baptist Messenger, but Angell was able to establish a College of Fine Arts with a faculty of 29 and an enrollment of 300.
He was a respected teacher, composer, arranger and conductor, and helped found the Bison Glee Club, the Bisonette Glee Club and the Tuneclippers. In 1997, more than 400 OBU alumni and friends celebrated his 90th birthday at the university, and in 2005, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame, the Baptist Messenger said.
Jernigan, born in North Carolina, moved to Oklahoma after graduating from Free Will Baptist Bible College in his home state, according to information supplied by his family. He conducted more than 800 revivals, pastored 14 churches and served four churches as interim pastor. His pastorates included several churches in Oklahoma: Spring Hill, Owl Creek, Norman First (now Crosspoint), Guymon, Asher and Crossland Free Will Baptist churches.
Family members said Jernigan is also known for helping start Oklahoma Bible College, now Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College in Oklahoma City. He also served as moderator of the Oklahoma Free Will Baptist Association among other leadership positions.
The list of accomplishments by these three men goes on and on. One thing is clear: Each man lived a life dedicated to serving the Lord.
John Maxwell, an internationally recognized leadership expert, said, "The first step to leadership is servanthood."
By all accounts, Graves, Angell and Jernigan exemplified Maxwell's quote. Giving honor where honor is due, we would do well to remember the words and deeds of these Oklahoma soldiers of the faith.
