VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 12/14/07) - The Rev. Jack D. Higgins Sr., former president and chief executive officer of American Baptist Homes of the Midwest (ABHM) died December 8 in Homestead Health Center, Wichita, Kan. He was 82.
A member of the American Baptist Churches USA General Board who served the Board of National Ministries in the 1980s and early 1990s, Higgins' ABHM tenure ran from 1973 to 1991. Prior to his appointment as chief executive officer in 1986, he served as treasurer and executive vice president.
"Jack Higgins loved with heart and head and hand," says Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III, National Ministries' executive director. "He was a committed and compassionate servant of Jesus Christ. Serving in the central part of this country, he impacted the lives of American Baptists from Seattle, Wash., to San Juan, Puerto Rico. We thank God for how Jack translated his love for Jesus Christ into concrete acts of justice and service for all of God's people."
Under Higgins' leadership, ABHM grew to include 21 facilities in six states; in the decade from 1981 to 1991, the number of individuals served by the organization increased from 760 to 3,708.
Higgins held administrative positions with Ottawa University, Bacone College and Central Baptist Theological Seminary, and he served First Baptist Church, Greensburg, Kan., as pastor.
Also, Higgins held leadership positions with the American Baptist Homes and Hospital Association, now known as American Baptist Homes and Caring Ministries, and the American Association of Homes for the Aging.
Higgins is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and one son, three daughters, eight grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Send condolences to the family at 1637 May Street #1001, Wichita, Kan. 67213. Memorial gifts should be directed to Homestead Health Center, 2133 S. Elizabeth St., Wichita, Kan. 67213 and Murrow Indian Children's Home, 2540 Murrow Cr., Muskogee, Okla. 74403.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 15, 2 p.m., in the chapel at Prairie Homestead Retirement Community, 1605 May Street, Wichita, Kan. 67213 (316-263-8264).
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/