Rev. Jim Robinson leaves a legacy for new pastor to build on

June has been a bittersweet time for First Henderson United Methodist Church as the pastor who is loved retires and the congregation prepares for a new leader.

The Rev. Jim Robinson, known as Pastor Jim, is retiring from the church after an exhilarating eight years. He will say goodbye to almost 300 members and a church that is alive with a myriad of ministries.

“When I first arrived there was just a dinner and Bible study on Wednesday night,” he said. “Now, there is something going on every day of the week.

“Sometimes I get pulled in every direction, but it’s so rewarding.”

For the past 18 years, Robinson has been following this new path. “This is my second career,” he noted. “I worked in a pharmaceutical laboratory for 18 years. But in 1977 I felt called to the ministry back in Ohio. I’m the son of a United Methodist pastor so I grew up in the church.” His father is now 90 years old.

“I was always involved as a layperson, then I felt a calling to get even more involved. From that time on I could see God’s hand guiding and directing me,” he said.

When he made the change to become a reverend, he learned that ministers were needed in the southwest, in desert country. That’s when Robinson and his family made a big change and moved to Sun City, Arizona, where he was an associate pastor. Besides his work at the church he flew back and forth from Phoenix to Los Angeles where he continued his education and received his master of divinity degree.

Ready to lead his own church he became the pastor in a Mesquite church. A few years later he was called to pastor at First Henderson. When he arrived he saw an opportunity to grow and vitalize his new church.

“We have so much going on now. The church is so vital, and there’s lots of activity,” he said.

But there’s one area he is especially proud of. “We have a strong children’s program and a good core in our youth group every Sunday afternoon. They sing and dance and learn more about the Bible.

“They also have special projects and perform for the congregation. Their performance called “Stix” was so inspirational they were invited to perform at the Methodist conference in Phoenix.

“That was a real honor and privilege.”

He is also proud of the new Scouting ministry, which now has four troops. Another person who shares his enthusiasm in Pat McAvoy, the certified lay minister for the church.

He and his wife wanted to start Scouting, so with Robinson’s blessings and guidance, his wife went to New Mexico to learn how to set up troops in the church. “We went from no troops to four,” McAvoy said.

But Robinson helped McAvoy in another important area. “He highly encouraged me to grow into a minister, and he helped me, all the way.”

On May 5, McAvoy became a minister.

McAvoy is proud of the church and of Robinson, who has made it a hands-on, warm and loving church.

“He really helps people, and always says the right thing. He’s just that kind of guy.

“He’s not only my pastor, he’s also a really good friend.”

As the church grew, McAvoy watched his friend reach out to not only the church but to the community as well. “He has forged so many ties with the community He’s going to be missed by a lot of people.”

At Robinson’s recent retirement party, the church was overflowing with well-wishers. “It was a potluck and we kept having to add more tables to get everyone in,” said administrative assistant Beth Runkle.

A member of the church for many years, she was there when Robinson first arrived. “Our membership has grown so much since he came here,” she said. “We went from very few activities to being a vibrant church now with something going on every night of the week.

Robinson has also bridged the gap between those who attend the morning services and the later service.

“On Sunday morning we have two worship services with celebration and praise. It’s more contemporary,” she said. “Then at 11 a.m. we have the more traditional service.”

One way he has helped both groups to work together is a large pumpkin patch, which is held every fall. Another way is the blessing of animals, also held in the fall.

“He just knows how to bring people together,” Runkle said. “He’s an excellent mentor and friend. He’s always there when you need him. He has really touched so many people.”

Robinson is looking toward his retirement with mixed feelings. While looking forward to resting and spending more time with his family, he’s going to miss all the activity. “I’m going to miss so many people,” he said.

His last sermon is Sunday , and the new pastor will begin the first Sunday in July.