Bob Hull - Minister of Music
The first years of my childhood were joyfully spent in Lake Charles, Louisiana where I helped my dad with his "song-leader" responsibilities at Maplewood Baptist Church. My mother helped me learn to sing as she led children's choirs. It was "there by faith that I first saw the light" in that little, white, wood-sided church. My parents and sister, Chris, were kind enough to take me along when they moved to four other cities, finally settling in Ponca City, Oklahoma. It was there I met the girl next door, Caroline, who became the love of my life.
My call from God into music ministry became clear to me through the churches I grew up in where I saw the impact of sacred music upon the lives of many people. Of course, I especially experienced the Lord helping me to grow in Christ as I participated in music ministry. I think I counted sixteen youth from my high-school youth group that went into ministry. Youth Choir was the foundation of youth ministry in those days! The churches we have served in Oklahoma, California and Tennessee have all been blessings. Even those difficult days in seminary as I worked to get my master's degree were a time of provision from the Lord.
Along the way we have been blessed with 3 children. Matthew, our oldest, is married to Joanna and they live in Houston, Texas where he is a pilot for Express Jet and she is an Account Representative for an insurance brokerage company. Son #2, Dawson, is working on his master's degree in piano performance at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. Our daughter, Meredith, is a junior at Trinity High School. She enjoys time with her friends and taking voice lessons. Miss Caroline teaches music at Augustine School and teaches piano in our home. I love spending time with my family. They are a blast!
I have discovered that this body of Christ at First Baptist cares deeply about each other and about people who need to know Jesus Christ. As I seek to minister through music here, I know I have to keep my heart and my mind rooted in sound bible teaching in order to lead people in biblical music ministry. Lately, I have been reading Dietrich Bonhoffer's, The Cost of Discipleship and James Montgomery Boice's commentary on Romans 5 - 8. These are great mind-stretching books.
Hobbies and/or Interests: One of my big interests is restoring pianos. During the last few years I have rebuilt several upright and grand pianos. I really love to help churches get their piano in a condition where it can make a majestic contribution to worship. Musical instruments enjoy a specific and sacred ordination in ministry. "The Lord will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the Lord." Isaiah 38:20
All hobbies and interests, no matter how much we love them, can never fill the empty place in our hearts that was created to be filled only by God alone. This is why Philippians 3:13-14 speaks so loudly to me. “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
It’s been a wonderful journey thus far and I’m looking forward to the rest. It’s only been by God’s grace that I’ve been saved and - brought to this place. “’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” - Amazing Grace by John Newton
Favorite sport: The sport I love the most is tennis. At Oklahoma Baptist University, the tennis team was made up of walk-ons when I was there. I had a good-looking pair of tennis shoes and a racket so, I got on the team. Maybe someday I'll start playing again.
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