Local minister announces retirement following 43 year career

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Dr. Bob Hardison, pastor of Sebree First Baptist church will retire from full-time ministry following services on November 2, 2014, 35 years from the same weekend he began his ministry at the church in 1979.

Hardison began his career in Modesto, California following his graduation from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in San Francisco. He spent three and a half years in California, before moving to Nashville, TN.

Four and a half years later they found their way to Sebree, and they have been there ever since.

“We raised our family here,” Hardison said. “We have two sons, Joe and Curt, who are both married to Sebree girls.”

“This has been a great community and a great congregation to raise our sons in,” said Violet Hardison, Bob’s wife. “They’ve allowed us to be ourselves. They’ve been willing to follow Bob and to accept him as their pastor.”

She went on to say that during his ministry, Bob had been such a part of the community that many Sebree-area residents who had never been to church a Sebree First Baptists still called him their pastor.

“We love this community,” she said. “We love this county.”

The church plans to celebrate Hardison’s ministry and his retirement on Sunday, November 2, 2014. Although that day will mark the end of his 43 years as a full-time minister, that will not mark the end. He and his wife, Violet, expect to remain an active part of the Sebree First Baptist family.

“We have no plans, but we’re going to stay in Sebree,” he said. “We love this church and the people, and we expect to help them for the rest of our lives. We look forward to whatever the lord opens up for us next.”

Following his retirement, the Hardisons aren’t going far. They will be moving from the church parsonage to a house directly across the street.

“We plan on helping the church as long as we are able,” Bob said. Then, jokingly, he added “When we get to old, maybe the church can help us.”