Church called pastor 60 years ago; he never heard God say, ‘Move’

PRAIRIE HILL—Some people search their entire lives for their purpose, but Fred Sain found his as a 20-year-old junior at Baylor University.

Called as pastor on Aug. 14, 1949, he has been the shepherd of the congregation of Prairie Hill Baptist Church 60 years. And that suits him just fine.

“In times gone by, I’ve had opportunities to leave—not many in recent years, but in the earlier years. But each time, I’ve felt this was the place the Lord wanted me, and I’ve stayed here because of that,” Sain said.

God’s direction to stay was not through any great sign, he said, but rather through grace-filled encouragement.

“He makes you content in your service, and he motivates your service in this place. And he gives you love for the people that live here. I’ve sought to have a pastor’s heart, and I certainly have found that here,” he said.

“This church is like a family to me. When we have a death of one of our members, it’s like a member of the family.”

And over the course of his six decades as pastor, he has ministered to more than 500 people at their deaths, but he also has presided at a similar number of weddings.

By Church Clerk Carol Webb’s count, he has preached about 8,000 sermons and conducted 52 revivals. He also went to Russia in 1991 and 1992, preaching in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev and Norsgard.

In 1994, the church paid for Sain and his wife, Sally, to tour the Holy Land, and Sain preached a sermon at the Sea of Galilee.

All of that is not what has made Webb love her pastor for the more than half century she has been a member of Prairie Hill.

“In 2001, I had a very serious surgery and almost died. I was home and ready to give up and die. He was down on his knees and saying, ‘Carol, you’re stronger than that,’ she recalled.

"This church is like a family to me"

“Somebody like that, who will be with you when you’re at your lowest and help you back up, he’s so special. Every time we need him, he’s right there. He’s 80 years old, but he’s right there.”

While Sain’s pastoral skills are loved, Webb said he also is a talented preacher.

“He’s such a wonderful pastor. He explains things to you. He’s such a wonderful teacher, you can’t help but learn,” she said.

The population of Prairie Hill—a Limestone County community northeast of Waco—has dwindled to the point where the Baptist church is the only congregation still meeting, so people of other denominations also come to hear Sain preach, Webb said.

The population decrease has had its impact on the church, Sain admits.

“When I came here, there was a farmer and his family on every 80 acres,” he recalled. He said one wealthy person came to town and bought 44,000 acres, so there are far fewer families living in the area.

When Sain came to Prairie Hill 60 years ago, about 100 people generally filled the pews. Now it’s about 35, with only about 15 attending Sunday school.

Still, he’s very pleased with his congregation’s faithfulness. The church’s Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions goal was $3,000, and he felt certain they would meet that. Also, 58 percent of the church budget goes to the Cooperative Program.

Many visitors were on hand for his anniversary celebration, but it was not a retirement party. He doesn’t feel any release from the call he received six decades ago.

“It’s just like the same way you go home. I don’t think I could ever feel comfortable attending another church and listen to another preacher,” he said with a chuckle.

“My life has been this place, and it’s been his purpose. It’s been a good life. If I could go back and look over it, I believe I’d do it all again.

“I feel like the Apostle Paul. His life was not one any of us could emulate, but when he finished, he said his mission was accomplished. That’s how I feel about mine. This is the mission the Lord gave me, and I’ve tried to be faithful to it.”