Jackson Progress-Argus

Asa M. Thurman

Indian Springs — After 26 years in the pulpit at China Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Flovilla, the Rev. Asa M. Thurman is stepping down as pastor.

Citing a growing list of health problems, he was due to preach his last sermon there on Watch Night, Dec. 31, after leading his hometown congregation for nearly three decades.

“It’s a lot of joy, it’s a lot of sorrow, it’s a lot of ups, it’s a lot of hard work, but it’s a lot of love involved and I think that’s what brings all the pieces together -- a lot of love,” Thurman said last week.

Thurman, 62, was born in the Indian Springs community, and except for his time in the military and two years he lived in California as a teen, has lived there all his life. He did a six-month stint in Vietnam in 1969, where he said he was shot four times and exposed to Agent Orange, a contributor, he says, to his current health problems.

He said pastoring a church in his own community for so long has been a pleasure, but on his doctor’s recommendation, it’s time to step back.

His congregation will hold a special farewell tribute to Thurman on Saturday, Jan. 7 and Sunday, Jan. 8, at the church, that will include a Saturday-evening dinner with several guest speakers. The keynote speaker will be Will Gunn, general counsel of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Thurman’s own pastor, Robert L. Henderson Sr., of Rock Creek Missionary Baptist Church, said Thurman has been a pillar in the religious community and a capable leader.

“He’s done a wonderful job there. He’s made a difference in pastoring there,” Henderson said. “The people love him.”

Henderson said Thurman’s straightforward approach to delivering sermons resonates with his congregation. “He’s a Bible preacher, that’s why he’s been so successful ... He makes it clear. That’s what I like about his pastoring,” said Henderson, adding that as a pastor himself and longtime friend of Thurman’s, the two have counseled each other over the years as church leaders.

Former Flovilla Mayor Harvey Norris, who is the pastor at New Hope Baptist Church, said Thurman and his church have been assets and active participants in the community. “For the city, he’s been real active in every program that we’ve had and he’s mentored to a lot of people,” Norris said.

Thurman became a truck driver after Vietnam, working for several local firms. He said he became a deacon at his wife Glorine’s church, China Grove, in 1973 and was called into the ministry in 1985. After a period of time as interim pastor, Asa Thurman became China Grove’s fulltime pastor in 1986.

“I just felt the Lord pulling on my life to go farther” in the ministry, he said of the experience.

Asa Thurman said the more than 130-year-old church already has a pulpit committee formed to search for a new pastor. He said he plans to visit his home church more now that he’s retired, and to visit the churches of other family members. He said he’s hoping that his health will one day improve to the point that he can return to the pastorate, but for now he’s looking forward to retirement and is grateful of the appreciation his congregation is displaying.

“I love the people for what they’re doing,” he said. “I love the church for what they’re doing and what they have done in the past.”