Sunday Feb. 25, 2018, marked the end of Pastor Jerry Waugh’s time as Senior Pastor of Northcliffe Baptist Church. The church put together a wonderful retirement celebration in honor of their dear pastor and all his years of service. Many on Facebook shared wonderful memories they had of him over the years, and well wishes for he and his family in their future.
Pastor Waugh is originally from West Virginia. He attended Cumberland College in Kentucky, where he obtained a degree in Religious Education, and also completed his Master of Divinity degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in TX. When asked when he received the calling to preach, Jerry said, “At 18, God is all-knowing and all-loving so I wanted to be wise enough to follow God, not as my co-pilot, but as the pilot of my life.” He went on to say that he told God, “I’ll be what you want me to be, and go where you want me to go.” After graduating, he received the call to interview at Northcliffe, and felt rather sure Florida was not where God was sending him. That Florida was the place faithful preachers were sent towards the end of their career. However in 1986, he received the call to come to Northcliffe, and there is where he began and remained for 32 years. First as an Associate Pastor, and then a Senior Pastor in 1990.
The church at the time was fairly new, only opening its doors in the early 1980’s with 20 people. In his time there he has seen God grow their campus adding four facilities, expanding their parking area, and the expansion of their Worship Center to hold 1,000 parishioners. During their highest attendance year, over 1200 people flocked to their Sunday service.
The church provides groceries to families and homeless in Hernando County each week. As a church their purpose and goal is to make a difference in the lives of people, sharing and showing God’s love and sharing the gospel of Jesus.
When asked what he would miss most his response was, “Hearing the youngest child or oldest senior adult call me ‘Pastor.’”
He continued, “The ministry is not about me, it’s all about God. But the human part of me is grateful that in a world with so many ‘bad guys’ there is one of the good guys, by the Grace of God, who tries to live for God and do right. It’s not about the title ‘Pastor,’ it’s what the title represents – someone who loves God and I know loves me.” The preaching, hugs, and handshakes will be deeply missed as well. While he will no longer be Senior Pastor, Jerry will continue to teach two classes each week.
I asked him if he had any words of wisdom for anyone considering this path. “Be called by God. This is the one career you don’t choose – it chooses you. You will see the best in people and the worst. You will be with people when they are at their happiest and when they are their saddest. You will only make it in ministry if you can go back to the time you know God called you to do this. With God’s all sufficient help, you must be willing to love people.”
On the church website, it lists his life verse, and it perfectly sums up the end of this chapter in his life. “I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave me to do.” Thank you Pastor Jerry Waugh for your years of service and your impact on this community in the past, present and into the future.