In Memoriam: J.M. Creech (1938-2022)

A Tribute to a Mentor

Jacob Moses Creech, fondly known as “Jake” or “Jakey,” went to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 27. His passing is yet another in the ongoing departures of the Builder generation of modern Free Will Baptists.[1] Many of these giants hailed from the Carolinas, and we owe their churches a debt of gratitude for having produced such excellent and faithful servants of the Lord.

I too am from the Carolinas. I don’t mention this to include myself in the ranks of these luminaries, but to say that this is partly how the Lord providentially situated me to have known and been shaped by their ministries. There’s no clearer example of this influence than that of Bro. Jake, or “Jakie” (as I spelled it), Creech.

When I was in middle school Bro. Jakie came to pastor my home church, Horse Branch FWB in Turbeville, South Carolina. He served the church for around eight years, culminating in his retirement. I recall him coming to preach prior to becoming pastor. Those sermons impressed me greatly. He …