New church ball field remembers old friend

PALMER — If a lazy summer drive appeals to you, try the windy country road called Fairview Loop. On a sunny day, a growth of green things seems to form a hedge along that road, and spacious meadows spring up between thickly wooded properties. Near the Parks Highway end of the road is a historic working farm, its red barns a colorful relief to the Chugach Mountains. Just past a 90-degree bend from the Knik-Goose Bay side is a church.

This church, too, is growing. What was once a doublewide trailer with a steeple is now a complex of five small buildings and two much larger ones. In fact, with the help of out-of-state mission teams, a sanctuary is being built this summer. On Aug. 5, a baseball field behind the church, overlooked by those grand mountains, will be dedicated to Mr. Robert Hearn.

Mr. Bob, as he was known, and his wife Linda became members of Fairview Loop Baptist Church in 1995. They were one of only about 10 families. Though small, the church had many jobs that needed to be done. Bob, retired after 26 years in the Air Force, first took on the responsibility of the sound system during services. But there were other unmet needs: care of the building and grounds, purchasing supplies, managing finances.

Linda remembers Bob’s reasoning: “He wanted the best for the church.” He knew that “little churches can wear a pastor out.”

Bob recognized that Pastor Tom Hoffman (who came to FLBC in 1996) needed time to reach out to the congregation and community. Bob knew that the roles he took on would have otherwise fallen to Pastor Tom.

“He thought that shouldn’t be Pastor’s job. Bob was retired and felt he could do them,” Linda said.

Pastor Tom remembers Bob as being “willing to do whatever needed to be done.” And he did it all with a smile. “It was his joy to serve.”

During long months of illness (he was diagnosed with ALS in December 2008), Mr. Bob never gave up that joy. Even when he was confined to a hospital bed, Mr. Bob told us, with his eyes and by pointing upward, that his hope was in Jesus Christ. He went home to that hope on Sept. 8, 2009. We at FLBC will dedicate the Robert Hearn Memorial Field in his honor, grateful for his years of service to God.

The community is invited to take a summer Sunday drive down Fairview Loop Road to the Baptist church there. It’s not far from Snowshoe Elementary, on the opposite side of the road. Join us for worship at 10:30 a.m., Aug. 5. Afterward, please stay for a picnic and a 2 p.m. dedication service.