Friends and family gathered Saturday at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church for a prayer vigil remembering the life of a visionary minister, the Rev. Henderson Fields.
The Rev. Fields, 62, of Greenville, died Saturday of a heart attack at Tyler Homes Memorial Hospital in Winona. Funeral arrangements are still incomplete, and will be announced by Roberts & Sons Mortuary of Winona.
He was pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Greenwood and Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Belzoni.
Dr. Pauline Pearson-Stamps, chairperson of Friendship's board of trustees, said the core of the Rev. Fields ministry was God's love.
"Everything revolved around expressing God's love and doing it His way. That's the bottom line. Then you can expect to be successful in life, and you can pull up somebody else," Pearson-Stamps said.
"Almost constantly his message to us was to show love for each other and enjoy the life God has given us."
Church members are still reeling from their loss, but they are reminded of the Rev. Fields' messages on facing adversity and staying strong, she said.
He urged his church in Greenwood to grow. Under his leadership, Friendship opened a new sanctuary in 2002. Fields also envisioned a senior citizens' home, an after-school complex and a singles ministry.
Pearson-Stamps said the church has bought nearly three solid blocks of the McLaurin Street area in preparation for expansion.
During the growth of the church, its pastor maintained a positive attitude.
"If you had anything negative to say, he would tell you to keep it to yourself," Pearson-Stamps said.
The Rev. Fields will be remembered for his youth ministry as well.
"He was a good listener. But at the same time he had the uncanny ability to talk to them and give them advice while being firm. He always allowed them to express themselves, and he always gave them a chance to talk," Pearson-Stamps said.
She remembers him as a powerhouse in the pulpit. He would stand up in the pulpit, raise his Bible and say, "It's not about me. This is the Word. I have the evidence right here," Pearson-Stamps said.
His messages were poignant, according to Pearson-Stamps.
"I will miss his skills as a pastor. He was very gifted in being able to interpret and unravel the Scriptures. He would help you understand regardless of your background," she said.
