Pastor James Larry Hughes – August 17, 1952 – June 29, 2014

The doors of heaven opened Sunday for Pastor James Larry Hughes.

As we say goodbye to a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, he is saying hello to the Almighty God that he loved and lived for. What we see as our saddest day is also his greatest victory. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor can we imagine the joy he is receiving right now.

Larry had many talents. He was a mechanic, carpenter, sculptor, guitar player, singer, and song writer (usually making up the song as he sung it on stage). The list is too long to name them all. More than any of these he was a Pastor, preacher, and teacher.

Larry loved God’s Word. He was always reading the Bible or a book about the Bible from his vast library. He annotated each and every book. He wrote many notes, often writing them on papers that he placed in notebooks, books, and Bibles.

If you were talking to Larry you were talking about the Bible. He stood on God’s Word without compromise and without apology. He believed the apostolic doctrines taught by Peter and Paul. If they apostles taught it, Larry believed it. His favorite translation was the King James. His favorite topics were the Godhead and Salvation. Though, he taught everything from Creation to the End-Times.

He believed in giving many Scriptures as he taught, and he had them all memorized. He knew more Scripture than anyone I’ve ever met. He would give 10 verses where others would only give one.

His last teachings consisted of the divisions of the New Testament: The Gospels, the Acts of the Church, the epistles to the Church, and the book of Revelation.

He taught the four steps of salvation and he intended for all of his Church members to quote them:

  1. Knowing God. Believe on Jesus as the Scriptures say – that there is one God. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:” (Deu 6:4 KJV) And that he was manifest in flesh – Is. 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isa 9:6 KJV)
  2. To repent of our sins
  3. To be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins
  4. To be filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost with the sign or evidence of speaking in other tongues as Peter taught on the day of Pentecost. This is summed up in Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Act 2:38 KJV)
  5. And then he would give a plus one- to live a life of holiness – Heb 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” (Heb 12:14 KJV)

To quote Pastor Larry – “Jesus told us to be saved, Peter told us what to do to be saved, and Paul told us why we do it.”

The book The Pentecostal Minister describes the ideal Minister.

“I Corinthians 3:9-11 says, “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” This is a valuable scriptural admonition that fits the ministry precisely. We are taught in this instance that we labor together with our Lord and that any work of the ministry that will exist and continue in its eternal substance must be done upon the right foundation. If the foundation is not correct, there will be a terrible devastation of wreckage. When I use the word foundation I refer not only to doctrine but also to the manner in which it is presented. The preacher must not win people to himself. He must teach people to love the Lord above his own charm and charisma. People who are schooled to love the Lord deeply can meet the test of time and the storms of life.”

Hall, J. L.; Bernard, David K.. Pentecostal Minister, The (Kindle Locations 90-94). Word Aflame Press. Kindle Edition.

Larry reflects this description perfectly by laying a foundation in us built upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and he wanted us to build on that foundation. His work spawned several churches, and he expects us to carry on that message and fight the good fight of faith.

Larry loved his family and his friends. He was always taking in stragglers and treating them like family and he never passed on the opportunity to preach to them the Word. His greatest hope is that his family lives for God and meets him in heaven. Larry loved and was loved.

 

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Here’s the song I sung for the funeral.

7 Comments

  1. Rev Hughes was one of the greatest men I have ever meet he talked to me about no matter what comes my way keep standing for Gods word cause people change but God never changes he will be truly missed he was an awesome pastor friend and uncle … Bro Randy you done a awesome job uncle Larry wouldn’t won’t it any other way you will do well my friend love and appreciate what u stand for ……

  2. he was a true man of god it was a blessing to know this great man of god he knew the godhead better than any man of god i have ever kown and had one of he greatest stands for truth i ever seen he was a true man of god

  3. Thanks Michael. I appreciate it. Church won’t feel the same without him.

  4. Pastor Larry Hughes was my brother.He brought me in the truth I remember staying till 2 and 3 in the morning studying the word of God.. Any time that I needed a scripture or just to ask about anything I could call him and he would give the scripture and tell me what i needed to do.It never was his words always the word of God.And he always stood for that word of God.He was always in the word.Any time u came around we always ended up in the word that was his life.He came many times to our tent and church he always taught in the Oneness of God.He was teaching us one time for 3 hours and it was amazing he taught me to love and to stand on this truth.He always told me Linda u have got to save yourself. People backslide and say that God showed them a new revelation but that is a lie Gods word never changes.That is one thing Larry put in my heart the word of God will never change.Many miracles happened under his ministry we went to the cow pasture and seen the miracles and the glory of God.Words cannot explain how much I love my brother I was closer to him than anybody.I am looking forward to seeing him in heaven.I am glad that Randy Brown is standing on this Pentacostal Truth.. His wife Frances is a great woman of God who is standing strong on the Pentacostal Doctrine..P.s. Love you Larry

  5. Sorry I meant to say Frances Hughes is the wife of the late Reverend James Larry Hughes would of been 42 years August 15,2014

  6. You have honored my Daddy well Randy, Daddy would be so proud of you. Daddy was so talented and smart it amazed me quite often how many different things he could do. Daddy’s greatest talent was his ability to read the bible and understand it so well. Daddy was ahead of any one else by leaps and bounds and I believe it was because he had a special relationship with his creator the one true god of the bible Jesus! Plus his love and dedication to the word of the living god! Daddy always said that and I loved to hear him say it. Daddy was a good man he was a great father he was always there for my brothers and me. Daddy loved his grand children with all of his heart. He was a good father and my life will never be the same without him. I miss you daddy everyday forever and always. Love your baby boy John

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