A Brief Tribute to Ed Overbey

a few brief remarks delivered at his memorial service by Dave Parks, Executive Secretary of Baptist Faith Missions

I have been asked to say just a few words on behalf of the Missionaries and Directors of Baptist Faith Missions – both past and present – and from the entire Baptist Faith Missions fellowship and family in Christ.

I want to limit my remarks to Brother Overbey’s impact upon us and influences among us as our friend, fellow-servant of the Lord, and as our leader.

Regardless of how you knew Brother Ed or in what capacity you might have related to him, one thing you can say about him, he was always the same Brother Ed, and always the same sterling and Christ-like character.

There is a Scripture that always comes to mind when I think of Brother Ed.  Luke said this about Barnabas in Acts 11.24: “For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.”

Brother Ed was a good man because he always modeled his life after Christ. He was a good man, not because of any goodness native or inherent in himself, but because of the goodness of Christ who lived in him.  Brother Ed was as Christ-like as any man we have ever known or would ever hope to meet.

He was a good man because he was full of the Holy Spirit, and he always expressed and exemplified the full panoply of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  He lived in the Spirit, and he walked in the Spirit.

And he was a good man because he was full of faith in Christ – he knew Christ and lived a full life of faithful and committed service to Christ.  He was “full of faith” both in the sense of his faith and confidence in Christ, and also his faithfulness to Christ in every activity of his life and ministry.

Brother Overbey related to us and led us as a generous man.  He was all his life generous in his commitment to Baptist Faith Missions – both with his financial contributions and the giving of his life’s service.

In fact, Brother Ed was one of the contributors to the very first offering given to Baptist Faith Missions for the support of Joseph Brandon’s ministry in the Acre, Brazil.  When Hafford Overbey assumed the role of promoting support for Missionary Brandon, he led his own Sunday School class to begin the contributions.  We have the first mimeographed letters Hafford Overbey began distributing [which soon after became “The Mission Sheets”].  The first offering was $16.25, and each offering was faithfully recorded and accounted for.  Among those offerings are “Edward Overbey – $1.00” [his brother Donald Overbey also contributed $1.00].  Not much now, but in March 1942, $1.00 was a generous offering for an 18-year-old young man.  He continued that commitment and support for the missionaries supported through BFM for the rest of his life.

Brother Ed was one of the contributors to the very first offering given to Baptist Faith Missions for the support of Joseph Brandon’s ministry in the Acre, Brazil, in 1942.

Brother Ed always related to us and led us as a gracious man.  Brother Ed was, above everything else – a man of grace.  He knew the grace of God and he lived out the grace of God.

He always treated everybody else with sincere, genuine, and un-hypocritical grace.  We sometimes would have to talk about or deal with sensitive matters relating to other servants of our Lord, but we never discussed anybody else – or dealt with any kind of sensitive measures – but that he would always preface anything he said about anybody else with this introduction: “He is a good man…”

He always spoke the truth – but he always administered the truth with love, fairness, consideration, deep sensitivity, and grace.

He was courteous and deeply respectful to all of his brothers and sisters.

Brother Ed related to us and led us as a man of the Word of God.  As our leader, Brother Ed was not only a MAN OF HIS OWN WORD [he was a man of impeccable and impeachable integrity and honesty] – but more importantly, he was a man of the Word…the Word of God.

He was the consummate teacher of the Word of God – the Bible…both in his public ministry and his personal conversations with all of us.  He knew the Bible.  He had studied the Bible extensively and deeply all his life.  He was studious and knowledgeable of the Scriptures.  He was a true scholar, but he was simple, direct, and clear in his expression of the Word of God.

And, he not only KNEW the Bible, but he lived his life and conducted all of his activities by the Word of God.  He led us to do everything we did by the Word of God. Brother Ed could take the truths and the teachings of the Scriptures and explain and express them in the simplest of terms so we could act on it with conviction and clarity.

He was unmovable and unshakable in his convictions, but he also knew how to give liberty and consideration to other people’s beliefs when there was room for another interpretation or application of the essential truths of Scripture.  He counseled us on more than one occasion, “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” [Romans 14.5].

Spurgeon said one time that a preacher and teacher of the Word ought to bleed “Bibline blood” – that is, your very blood should have Bibline and Biblical consistency.  Brother Ed had Bibline blood coursing through his very veins.

Brother Ed related to us and led us as a servant.  He was a true “servant-leader.”  He was humble, quiet, soft-spoken, unassuming – he was approachable – and never tried to impose himself on anyone or force himself into any situation.

He served in numerous roles and capacities during his lifetime of ministry and service to Christ.  But, he told me one time: “I never really applied for any position or ministry I have ever assumed.  In everything I have ever done, someone came to me and asked me to serve.”  And he served our Lord and others that way all his lifetime.

Jeremiah had a faithful assistant and scribe by the name of Baruch. It seems that Jeremiah may have had to rein him in on one occasion by saying to him, “And seekest thou great things for thyself?  Seek them not…” [Jeremiah 45.5]

Brother Ed NEVER sought great things for himself – but the Lord on many occasions and in many roles sought him out – and Brother Ed always followed and served the Lord faithfully.

And, as the Hebrews writer said of all the other examples of faith he was commending in Hebrews 11.32: “And what more shall I say?  For the time would fail me to tell of…” so much more we could say about the deep respect and appreciation we all have toward God for the privilege God has given us to learn from, be led by, and be impacted and influenced by the Christian character and example of Ed Overbey, faithful servant of God, leader, and friend.

We can only reiterate and say “Amen!” to the commendation and affirmation we are sure he has received from his Lord, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” [Matthew 25.21]


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Bro. Ed Overbey is Present with the Lord

OVERBEY, Edward Hugh, 92, husband of Jackie Ulrich Overbey, died Feb. 28, 2017 at Baptist Health Lexington. Born May 6, 1924 in Highland Park, MI, he was the son of the late Hafford and Grace Morris Overbey. Mr. Overbey was a U.S. Army and Air Force veteran and served in ministry his entire life. Mr. Overbey enlisted during WWII and flew 30 missions over Germany. He graduated from Wheaton College in 1952 and then earned his Bachelor of Divinity from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago. He moved his family to Lexington in 1961, where he began his ministry in Kentucky as assistant pastor of Ashland Avenue Baptist Church and professor at Lexington Baptist College. Later he founded and pastored South Lexington Baptist Church until the 1990’s. He served as Director and Executive Secretary of Baptist Faith Missions and as Director of the Board for Blue Grass Baptist School from its early days. After retiring from the pastorate, he continued in ministry as an assistant pastor at Heritage Baptist Church where he would remain a member until his death. He is remembered as a man who not only preached the Word, but lived it out in his daily life. On Tuesday, as he entered Heaven’s gates, we’re sure he was greeted by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with the words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Survivors other than his wife of 64 years include three of his four children: Martha (Mark) Czecholinski, Goodlettsville, TN, Grace (Clark) Henderson, Hindman, KY, and David Overbey, Lexington, KY; six grandchildren, Ross Overbey, Brad Czecholinski, Laura (Cal) Burchett, Grant Henderson, Tess (Lee) Sharp, Jackie (Deke) Whitaker; four siblings, Dale Overbey, Mary Jane Gibbs, Jimmy Overbey, and Sue Jones. He was preceded in death by a son, Tom Overbey; and three siblings, Kenny Overbey, Don Overbey, and Ruth Darling. Visitation will be held 4-9 pm Fri., March 3, at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, Harrodsburg Road. Funeral services will be held 10:30 am Sat., Mar. 4, at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, Harrodsburg Rd. by Pastor Greg Waltermire. Burial will take place 11 am Mon., March 6 at Camp Nelson National Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Heritage Baptist Church, Baptist Faith Missions or a charity of choice.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” -John 3:14-17


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Visits with Family; Recalling Bro. Overbey’s Impact

Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”

Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”

March 1, 2017

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Hope this finds you enjoying the Lord. What a blessing to be united with Christ for eternity. In the last couple of days we have been touched by the deaths of several friends. We sorrow, but not as those who have no hope.

Just this morning I received news that Edward Overbey is now at rest in the presence of Christ. He was my pastor for most of the years that I was in College. He had a very positive impact on my life in a number of ways. Among other things, he helped me have a more accurate exegesis. His gentle spirit was always a great encouragement to me. I also had the opportunity to serve with him as a director for Baptist Faith Missions and know personally his and Jackie’s passion for helping missionaries. Jackie, Martha, Grace and David, our hearts are with you and we ask God to comfort you.

At the beginning of February, Judy and I were with my parents for a couple of weeks. We thank God for the parents that He gave to both of us and we were very happy to be able to spend this time with them. During a few days of that time we also got to be with my sister Kathy who came to see our parents as well. We had a great visit. The Lord worked it out for us to tack on at a very low price a stop in Chicago on the way home. We had a wonderful though brief visit with our children, grandchildren and Peggy, Judy’s sister.

I was very blessed by the service at our church here in Tournefeuille this last Sunday. It is good to see God at work in the lives of His children. Contrary to what we had planned, Judy did not return with me to France. Just hours before leaving we received the news that Peggy has a serious health situation so Judy rented a car and drove to Evansville to be with her sister. Please, pray for Peggy and Judy during this difficult time.

Thank you for your faithful support. May God bless you and meet your needs.

In Christ in France,
John

John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com

Click here to donate to BFM.


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Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [March 2012]

Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making,”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The tornadoes and storms through which many of you are going have been in the news here. We think about you and pray that the Lord will protect you from harm. This relates indirectly to one of our Bible studies this week. This study is in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. The judgments on the lost world symbolized by the blowing of the 7 trumpets draw our attention to the folly of human behavior.

Many people are concerned about protecting themselves from climate changes and the effects that these might bring on them. It is debatable whether we can do much to avoid these disasters. However, anyone can avoid the greatest disaster of all by trusting Christ and being eternally saved from all physical disasters. This is something that anyone, anywhere in the world can do. Yet, few are willing to surrender to Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, our mission here, and your mission there is to bring to the attention of folks around us that Jesus is the only sure hope. May our Lord help us to do the job effectively.

I want to mention three individuals for whom I am very grateful as we study the Word of God with others. The first two are my parents who are still serving as missionaries in Brazil at 86 years old. They taught me and, by example, encouraged me to read through the Bible and then continue reading through the Bible. This lifelong practice has helped me to see God’s revelation of Himself in a more complete and well rounded fashion than what is appropriated by reading most books and theological treatises and by listening to many well known preachers. Please, do not receive this as a condemnation of books or preachers. I am simply underscoring the value of knowing God’s word thoroughly and reviewing it regularly in its full scope. Thanks, mom and dad.

The other person who has had a great influence on me in understanding God’s revelation is Edward Overbey. As my pastor during my college years, he helped me greatly to work toward a correct exegesis of biblical texts. His patient and peaceful manner provided me with an outstanding example of applying Christlike principles in my interaction with others. Thanks, brother Overbey.

All of our Bible Studies are going well. We now have ongoing studies in Colossians, Revelation, II Timothy and the Gospel of John. God continues to open doors and we do the best that we know how in sowing the good seed. Last year three people who had professed faith followed the Lord in baptism. We would like to see many more saved and baptized, but our job is to display the light of the Gospel, sow the good seed, and disciple those who trust Christ.

The Hatchers sowing seeds in France!

As a boy, I was a charter member of the first church established in the work of my father in Manaus. Three baptized in one year would have been a banner year. Now that church, which has started many other churches, baptizes 50 – 100 hundred people every month. Last month they baptized 300 newly saved folks. These are folks who are serving the Lord and being discipled. I have been there among them. They are faithful to God’s word. So, what starts small can multiply…just as the Lord taught. This encourages us to keep working and trusting God.

Thank you for participating with us in the work of the Lord. Your praying and giving is not in vain. Many of you supported the planting of that little church in Manaus.

Today, Judy and I celebrate 39 years of married life serving the Lord together. It is a wonderful life. I asked God to give me the wife He wanted me to have. He gave and I have never been sorry for asking. Judy is a wonderful gift.

Serving the Lord in France,
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com

Click here to donate to BFM.

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