By Christopher Young
Contributing Writer
Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 6-9PM, nearly 300 gathered to celebrate the 70th birthday of Christ Tabernacle Church pastor Hosea James Hines at the Ag Museum’s Sparkman Auditorium. Church members, community members, members of the clergy – ministers, deacons, and deaconesses, friends and family, gathered to honor and pay their respects to a pillar of the Jackson community and far beyond.
The program was rich with scripture, blessings, music, performances, tributes and prayer. The royal blue seat covers were adorned with silver sashes, a delicious meal was offered, and staff and volunteers were everywhere ensuring the needs of each guest were provided for. The Bradley Family was responsible for shepherding the overall program and providing a truly memorable evening.
The tone of joy, reverence, honor, and humor that was set early on carried throughout the auspicious event, from the welcome and opening prayer to the final remarks of the evening by Lady Sherian and guest of honor, Hines. At a time when so many are critical of young people, Ryan Bradley stepped to the microphone. Bright, confident, sincere – “I’ve been attending CTC (Christ Tabernacle Church) since I was seven, I’m now eighteen, and I just wanted to tell you Pastor that I appreciate you and how important you have been in my life. Without further ado, I’m excited to welcome each of you to this very special celebration – our cherished Pastor’s 70th Birthday Party. Tonight, we get together not just to mark the years, but to honor a life filled with faith, love, and service. Thank you all for being here to share this moment of joy and gratitude. Your presence means the world to us and our pastor. Oh, and don’t worry Pastor, 70 is just the age of 21 with 49 years of experience. So, let’s celebrate 70 years young and the man with the heart that continues to bless us. Welcome everybody!”
Easily twenty-five others came on stage to offer tributes to the man born in Jackson, Mississippi, the son of a Baptist minister, who has organized then pastored two churches, and pastored two others including the historic College Hill Missionary Baptist Church for nineteen years, and now Christ Tabernacle Church – 1201 Cooper Road in South Jackson – sixteen years and counting. A new church with a new mission and vision – Kingdom Witnesses, Kingdom Workers, and Kingdom Worshipers.
Many know of Hines’ decades-long affiliation with police departments, often serving as Chaplain, and other times aiding in community policing efforts to promote advocacy for the community, and on this night received a plaque from Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade. More recently, Hines has assumed a national platform, bringing together dedicated clergy from around the country to collectively focus their expertise at problem solving. Top priorities are securing affordable housing, eliminating healthcare disparities, creating economic opportunities, prioritizing holistic education focusing on home, school, and church, and moving from selective criminal justice to equitable criminal justice. This assembly is referred to as ANCEBA – A New Day Coalition for Equity for Black America – and Hines is the organizations national leader. Their website, https://anceba.org, bears his trademark call – “It’s About Us, It’s About We, It’s Not About I and Not About Me.”
After musical performances and praise, family members and relatives chimed in. National titles seemed of little importance, they just focused on the man – the man called Hosey or Cousin Hosey by some – who is always there, present in their lives, an example for their families, and oh so deeply loved by all. The descriptors included honest, dedicated, leader, treasured, respected, important, valued, faithful and honored – it was just like that.
You could have heard a pin drop in the auditorium when Lady Hines spoke of her pastor and husband…”I thank God for you, for the man that you are, not only at the church, but at home and what you do for our children, our grandchildren, our great grandchildren – the life you reflect is one of God. You pray with me daily, you encourage me when I am down, you inspire me, you’re my biggest cheerleader. You are always there for me. You whisper in my ear that you got my back and that means more than anything…”
It was all about the love of God, family, church, and community when the force of nature, Hines closed out the evening with his own remarks. He never stops – it’s a distinguishing feature about him – he confessed that he is grateful for three scores and ten but has asked God for a full century. He focused on the concept of being real, as he praised the many people that worked to create this special evening. He reminded the attendees that people don’t always know that their actions can be a blessing that will be returned to those who need it most. “I have lived a good life. I’ve had some great challenges in my life. I have been both understood and misunderstood. I have been both talked to and talked about. But the one thing that I can say is that the Lord has always been on my side.” And just like on Sundays, as soon as he said the words, “I Love Ya’ll,” came the thunderous response, “we love you too pastor!” A truly memorable night for a true man of God.
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