Remembering Jimmy Stevens

The BSK community celebrates the life of Jimmy Stevens. You are invited to share below your memories and comments about this remarkable person.

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19 entries.
Quay Walton from Birmingham, AL wrote on February 8, 2024 at 3:22 pm
I extend my sincerest condolences to Pastor Stevens' family. I pray that the God Jimmy served and worship would also be there to give them peace and solace in their time of mourning. In the three years that I have been in attendance at BSK I think at least once a semester, Jimmy and I had a class together. Jimmy was an engaged learner but he'd learn how to be engaged without saying much. However, when he would say something he had a way of leaving an impact with what was said. As a result, I'm extremely saddened to hear of his passing and will miss both his nonverbal and verbal engagement in class together. Sleep well, Jimmy until we meet again.
Michael Faggett from Shreveport wrote on February 5, 2024 at 5:55 pm
I’m still at shock over the sudden transition of Pastor Jimmy Stevens. The excellent, supportive student he embodied as a pastor was indubitably reflected in his ministry. Pastor Stevens was kind to all, a friend to all, and intentional about supporting those he felt would carry the torch of ministry beyond his lifetime. He shepherded a first-class church in New Covenant Faith, and his love for both his congregation and his city were well shown in his actions. Time will not erase nor ages will destroy his legacy.
Lewis Brogdon from Louisville wrote on February 5, 2024 at 3:54 pm
It has taken me some time to wrap my broken heart around this loss. I want to give my condolences to the Stevens family, the church he served, and the broader Lake Charles community. I pray that the "God of all comfort" (2 Cor 1) sits and walks with you through the dark night of grief. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I want to say a brief word about this wonderful Pastor and student of the Word and World. Jimmy was one of my Black Church Studies students. He was pursuing the concentration. He took all my classes and attended almost every lecture I delivered in Louisiana for the LHFMBC meetings. Reading books by people who looked like him and cared about issues Black people faced revolutionized his thinking and ministry arc. The Holy Spirit was using these courses to inspire passions and insights for a new season of ministry. His emails "testifying" to the transformative nature of class sessions and books he read reminded me why I love teaching. He was planning to accompany me to Geneva Switzerland in April for the United Nation's Third Session of the Permanent Forum for People of African Descent. He was eager to learn about the racial justice work of the forum that I am honored to be a part of. Jimmy was so inspired by all he was learning at BSK that he wrote a book. I am going to do my best to share his passion and keen insights with sisters and brothers in the NBCA and beyond. Jimmy, your professor, will miss the lunches you graciously organized and paid for. I will miss your support of my work and the work of the Institute, And, I will miss your friendship. Rest well, my friend!
Dr. Samuel C. Tolbert, Jr. from Lake Charles, Louisiana wrote on February 2, 2024 at 9:50 am
I have know Rev. Jimmy Stevens most of my life. We have worked together in the Southwest Missionary Baptist Association, The Louisiana Home & Foreign Mission Baptist State Convention and the Area -Wide Baptist Youth Week Observance.. We attended McNeese StateUniversity together and started Pastor around the same time some 40 years ago. He was a student of the Bible, a loving husband and father. Rev. Stevens was committed to his church in unwavering sacrifice. His voice will be missed in our deliberations among our local ministerial groups. I pray for his wife Patricia , their daughter and grandchildren. I pray also for the great disciples at the New Covenant of Faith Baptist Church.
John Inscore Essick from Port Royal wrote on February 2, 2024 at 9:41 am
Jimmy was a delight. He had a way of making my heart smile. Always eager to learn and encourage, he seemed to grasp deep within the importance of what we were all doing on this journey together. He will be missed.
Arthur O’Bannon from Louisville wrote on February 1, 2024 at 11:48 pm
Jimmy had the gift of encouragement, and he would always say that things were going to work out. I was blessed, any student that was in class with him was blessed. No one could escape the Jimmy effect; the smile, the laugh, the serious face because he was about to make a point, and his ability to tackle difficult tasks. The wealth of knowledge that he possessed as a pastor and a man of God. Today was a hard day, there will be others, and that is okay. I know that Jimmy would want each of us to remember the Hope and most of all the Life that God provides. I am praying with the Stevens family and all who loved Jimmy.
Norman Sizemore from Louisville wrote on February 1, 2024 at 9:43 pm
“Say it ain’t so.” My heart is heavy for my beloved brother. As a colleague, Pastor Stevens always join class with a smile that I looked forward to. He and I were on the verge of building a lasting friendship as co-laborers of the cross. Last year, he had scheduled me to speak for him this Black History Month. Unfortunately, he needed to reschedule my appointment. Is the reason before me now? I know how important Dr Stevens was to the New Covenant Faith Baptist Church family. My heartfelt prayers will remain incessantly before me. My Lord and my God, give comfort to his family and church, especially to his wife. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Laura Levens from Lexington wrote on February 1, 2024 at 2:04 pm
Jimmy will be greatly missed by everyone. I had a few conversations with him last fall about his plans for study and was immediately captivated by his joyful spirit. He had a vision for what God had called him to do and a wonderful energy for life. I will be in prayer for his family, his church, and his ministry colleagues.
Gerald Perkins from Jennings, Louisiana wrote on February 1, 2024 at 12:41 pm
Jimmy Stevens is one of the most genuine person I have ever known. He had a heart for evangelism and a love for God's Word. Jimmy and I were good friends for over 40 years. We were in most of our classes together. He was instrumental in getting me in BSK. Join me in prayers for his family and his church.
Carol Harston from Louisville wrote on February 1, 2024 at 12:27 pm
I am sorry to hear of the passing of such a valued student at BSK. I'm grateful he followed God's call faithfully and will pray for the BSK community as it grieves.
Becky Owen from Roanoke VA wrote on February 1, 2024 at 12:14 pm
I was blessed to have been in a few classes with Jimmy and his smile was always the first thing you noticed about him. He was genuine and encouraging to everyone in the class. I'm so sorry for this loss that this great man has left with his passing. Prayers for comfort to his family and all those who were blessed by simply knowing him.
David S Adams from Highland Hgts wrote on February 1, 2024 at 12:13 pm
Jimmy and I had an ongoing gag about how the tv screen in his office looked crooked in Zoom. He had a wonderful warmth and sense of humor that you might not expect from such a dignified person. I'm sure that everyone who knew him from class or in real life was affected by his sincere Christian witness, which was displayed in his care for others. His life was a gift from God to all of us, and I hope those who knew him can find comfort at this time of loss.
Abby Sizemore from Louisville, KY wrote on February 1, 2024 at 11:16 am
Jimmy was such a quiet, gentle, and kind presence. I was never able to meet him in person, but he called me often, always thinking of ways to tell others about BSK. He often recruited students to BSK and I could always count on him to call me with the names of 5-10 new prospective students. I am so saddened by his loss, and pray God brings comfort to those that loved him the most.
Mark Medley wrote on February 1, 2024 at 11:08 am
My heart hurts. I was looking forward to the day when Jimmy would be in one of my classes. . Jimmy was an advisee. He would call during the registration period to talk about classes. He was such a gentle, kind, and humble soul, always expressing gratitude for his classes, his classmates, his professors, and the seminary. And he was a wonderful example of the transformative character of seminary education. Always eager to learn. Holding Jimmy’s family and the congregation he pastored in the Light. And may Jimmy rest in peace and rise in glory.
T. Devan Franklin, III from Murfreesboro wrote on February 1, 2024 at 11:06 am
Jimmy was a joy to share class with! A picture of mature faith and stellar leadership. Though we never met in person, his personality and character could not be contained by the little box on my computer screen. I am grateful to have interacted with him even if it was at a distance. My deepest prayers and condolences to his family and his church! Rest Well King!
Leigh Anne Armstrong from Auburn AL wrote on February 1, 2024 at 11:02 am
There is no doubt that God worked in my life by allowing me to partner with Brother Jimmy during our first semester at BSK. I immediately felt a connection to him, and looked forward to the phone calls we would share (many times with Sister Trish!). Whether we were discussing the mysteries of powerpoint, the challenges of bridging cultural and generational divides in ministry, or just offering each other encouragement and marveling over the goodness of a God who stood in the middle of all this with us, Brother Jimmy was a steady one for me on this journey. I was Sister Leigh Anne to him, always, and it warmed my heart every time I heard it. I know that Brother Jimmy is "home" now, in a way that the rest of us can't fathom, so I don't hurt for him. But my world is smaller, and less full, and I bet yours is too, if you ever met Brother Jimmy. May God bless all of us grieving with the sweet memories we share together, and the comfort of knowing we were loved by such a good man.
Haydn Primrose wrote on February 1, 2024 at 10:56 am
Just yesterday, I read an email Jimmy sent me a couple of months ago, singing my praises. That was the kind of person Jimmy was. In class, he would regularly chime in to tell our fellow classmates just how valued and cherished they were. He would always have a kind word; if you ever felt blue, he could brighten your spirits like few others I have met. He will be deeply missed, and I send my deepest and sincerest condolences to the Stevens’ family and Jimmy’s BSK family as well. Our seminary will not be the same without his loving, kind, and Christlike presence.
Mark Thomas from Lexington, KY wrote on February 1, 2024 at 10:54 am
Jimmy was such a steady and encouraging part of our seminary community. I always appreciated the wisdom, peace, and joy that were part of our conversations, no matter how brief. I share prayers for Christ's abiding peace for his family, friends, colleagues, and congregation.
David Cassady from Lexington, KY wrote on February 1, 2024 at 10:36 am
Jimmy reminded me of why a seminary community is so much a part of theological education. He was a kind and encouraging presence -- he made all of us better and modeled a humble, strong faith. I pray God's comfort will be present for his family and congregation.