Bobby and I quietly opened the door to the sanctuary, moving quickly and finding a seat in the back of the Durant Chapel Baptist Church in Bay Minette.
“The Rev” and his cadence were already in full swing, arguing deftly against historian critics taking aim at purported inaccuracies in the book of Daniel.
Normally, a history sermon would put me to sleep faster than my melatonin tablets, but Dr. Henry Cox always proves to be a captivating speaker.
Cox, or “The Rev” (as I like to call him), is a long-time friend of Cliff, Bobby Beauchamp’s grandfather and one of the best people I’ve ever come into contact with in my life.
A graduate of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, “The Rev” has served at five churches across the state of Alabama, including 26 years at First Baptist Church in Bay Minette.
While I’ve known “The Rev” and his wonderful wife Barbara for many years, I’d never had the pleasure of hearing him preach until a revival he came and gave a few years ago out at Society Hill.
“The Rev” is most decidedly an “old school” preacher, as his cadence and emphasis sound as if they are not a part of our era.
The distinctive “blade” style haircut is a dead giveaway as well. Those of you who knew John Leland, former Opelika First Baptist minister of music and a fellow New Orleans seminary graduate, should know of “the blade” and its mystical powers.
Cox’s booming voice can easily fill a room, a throwback to when preachers had to do without the modern convenience of microphones.
He speaks with a certainty and forthrightness one seldom hears.
His emphatic gestures serve only to enhance, not distract. Every motion of the hand, with or without the Bible in it, fits the speech it accompanies.
Watching “The Rev” give a sermon is watching public speaking the way it should be done.
He’s the sort of believer who provides an example for the rest of us to live up to.
The things that are done and said in the name of Christianity these days give pause and can make us doubt the sincerity of claims of belief.
“The Rev,” on the other hand, can’t help but seem genuine, largely because he is.
I always keep his business card in my wallet, with me at all times. When I need a prayer warrior, I know “The Rev” will be more than happy to be of service.
After the service, he and Ms. Barbara took Bob and me to lunch at Street’s, their favorite Sunday lunch place.
A buffet table littered with delicious fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and a litany of other Southern buffet staples awaited, but we had difficulty making our way back to the table: “Brother Henry,” as Cox is known to most of his flock, had folks to speak to, per the usual.
Even our waitress, an admitted fill-in who hadn’t worked there in years, garnered a spark of recognition from “The Rev,” and he questioned her briefly about herself, asking if she went to church.
“Everybody always wants to talk to Brother Henry,” Bobby said. “And he wants to talk to them, too.”
So much of organized faith, or at least the people who claim to speak on its behalf, spends too much time focusing on what people shouldn’t do, the weight of the sins that will surely condemn us all to hell.
Sad to say, people of faith are known more for what they’re against than what they’re for.
Not Henry Cox.
A simple “Hello,” a friendly word and some light conversation.
That’s how he gets in there, and the Lord handles the rest.
I’m thankful for folks like “The Rev,” and Ms. Barbara, the iron backbone that keeps him standing.
I never doubt there’s a God when I know he sent folks like them to help the rest of us along in our journey.
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