For more than six decades, Bishop James M. Scott has been married to the same wife and pastoring the same church, and he's still preaching.
Scott says his commitment results from his faith.
"I hit some bumps, but I was determined and I knew the Lord was with me and he would see me through every test," says Scott.
The 83-year-old father of four started preaching in Pickens, Miss., at age 15. He says God called him to preach in 1948, the same year his father died. He also was a minister.
At age 22, Scott became pastor of Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in Chattanooga.
The New Holy Temple Cathedral Church of God in Christ, as the church is known now, will host Scott's 60th pastoral anniversary Sunday.
He celebrates his 63rd wedding anniversary to his wife, Virginia, next month.
If you go
› What: New Holy Temple Cathedral Church of God in Christ 60th Pastoral Anniversary› Who: Bishop James M. Scott› When: 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15› Where: New Holy Temple Cathedral Church of God in Christ, 2311 Bliss Ave.
"There have been some trials," she said. "But the good days outweighed the bad days."
The two lived 67 miles apart when they met at a Church of God in Christ convocation, a meeting of all the churches in the region. She asked Scott to speak at a youth program at her church, and he accepted. Then he asked her if they could be friends. They were engaged when the convocation came around again the following year.
They married Nov. 28, 1954. She was 17. He was 21.
"This is a monumental milestone that most people never imagine," says Theresa Russell, a church member of 58 years.
Bishop Jerry Maynard Sr., pastor of the Cathedral of Praise Church of God in Christ in Nashville, will be the main speaker for the pastoral anniversary.
"When you think of his age," says Maynard about Scott "for him to still be involved in a very positive way in ministry, that is extremely important, and to be able to share with him at this time in his life is definitely an honor."
Holy Temple was a small, wooden, unfinished building when Scott took leadership in 1957. Elder James E. Pinkard started the church in 1952.
Scott met at the temple for a few years before moving to a storefront at 1035 East Eighth St. He stayed and raised money for four or five years. In 1969, he purchased the old church site, tore it down and built a new Holy Temple in the same spot.
He added on to that building twice before 2004 when the church took out a loan for more than $1 million to build the current sanctuary.
Scott, a contractor by profession, assisted with the manual labor and oversaw the building project.
The New Holy Temple Cathedral stands more than three times larger than the little wood building where the church started.
"The Lord let me know that if I do what is right that he would bless my ministry, and he has done just that," says Scott.
The church finished paying off the $1 million-plus loan in September.
"We are debt-free," says Scott.
Instead of owning only a small building as it had at its inception, the church owns nearly the entire block.
Church membership increased from about 20 people when Scott started to about 350 members on the church roll. He says 100 to 150 attend regularly on Sundays.
Among those members are 14 ministers who all trained under Scott. Other ministers left to pastor other churches, including New Hope Church of God in Christ Pastor Walter Hambrick on 12th Avenue, Abundant Life Church of God in Christ Pastor Lebron Hawkins on North Chamberlain Avenue and Clifton Braden, who leads Household of Faith Church of God in Christ in Cleveland, Tenn.
At age 83, Scott advises younger ministers to be sure God has called them before going into ministry.
"I don't think any of us should just go to school and train ourselves to be ministers," he says. "We should go if we are called of God, but not just to make a profession out of it."
He attributes his longevity to his desire to please God.
"I'll tell you what happens to a lot of preachers," says Scott. "If we preach one thing and then live another, God is not going to approve. As the Scripture says in the 23rd Psalm, 'He leads me in the path of righteousness.' He's not with us when we're not leading godly lifestyles."
Scott says he eventually wants to retire when he's no longer able to work, but right now he still has a job to do.
Within the next year, Scott, a building contractor of 35 years, wants to build a senior housing community, including single-family homes and an assisted-living facility for seniors.
As a pastor, he witnessed senior members who weren't treated well by the people assigned to be caregivers. He also met people who needed caregivers, but had none. He eventually held power of attorney for some members because no one else came to help them.
He wants to build a senior complex made of one-bedroom apartments at the corner of Bliss and Crutchfield streets near the church. The church already owns the land and has torn down the seven or eight houses that once stood there.
He also wants to tear down another house on the property and build a senior assisted-living facility in that space. He says some members of the church are professional nurses and could help staff the facility.
Scott says he's already thinking about his retirement, but would like to first complete his senior complex.
"It's my desire if the Lord gives me the strength and time," says Scott. "I'd like to see that in action."
Contact Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.