Volunteer chaplain Chris Hull surrendered to serve the Lord in May of this year (2018). He was feeling burdened but wasn’t sure exactly what God wanted him to do. He stated, “I asked Him to show me what He wanted me to do, because I was willing.” Within a few days, an opportunity opened up that allowed him to receive some chaplain training at a local hospital.
At the end of July, Brother Hull received a call from Crystal Neal, activities director at Covington Ridge Retirement Home. The home needed someone to lead Sunday morning worship services. He was asked if this was something he would be interested in doing. Brother Hull prayed much as he sought God’s will. Unable to sleep, he got up at 4:00 AM and began to read God’s Word. “As I was seeking God’s will, He led me to this passage, 1 John 3:16-24. As I read it, I knew the Lord wanted me to serve as volunteer chaplain at Covington Ridge.
“I had never done this before…never had any experience in delivering a sermon. However, when I surrendered , I had immediate peace. I stepped out in faith. I don’t have to plan it or figure it out, because the Lord guides me. It’s been a blessing.”
Brother Hull grew up in Taylorsville, Mississippi. In 2002, he moved to Collins to work at Covington County Bank. He was appointed as President and CEO in January 2008. He has been married for forty-three years to Keena Keys Hull. Brother Hull and Keena are members of Station Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Collins. The Hulls have a son who lives in Texas and a son, daughter in-law, and three grandchildren who live in Florence, Mississippi.
When asked if he had always wanted to be a chaplain, he said that he had not, but that in 2017, he was able to spend some good quality time with his dad for several months while his dad was in the hospital and on hospice. “During this time, it occurred to me that I might like to be involved with the elderly in some way. I have a compassion for the elderly.”
In reply to the question of his favorite thing about being a chaplain, he stated, “To show God’s love and to share His love, Word, and promises. There’s often a lot of loneliness with the elderly. People often assume that because someone is elderly, they already know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. However, that is not always the case. I want to share Jesus with them.”
Brother Hull concluded by saying, “I want to stress that it’s not about me. It’s about Jesus Christ. It’s not about me, but about lifting up and glorifying Jesus Christ.” And that is exactly what he is doing.