Memorial Service for Rev. V. O. Agan

March 29, 2006

By Randall Crotts, Pastor Glencoe Bible Methodist Church

“Bro. Agan”…the words roll off of the tongue with all the familiarity of one calling the name of a relative in the home, or a lifelong neighbor down the street.  By “familiarity”, I do not mean triteness or disrespect in any way! I do not mean to take away from the title “Rev. V. O. Agan” bestowed upon him during these many decades of preaching the Gospel.  I certainly do not forget the fact that for over 30 years he was “Conference President Agan”. Nor do I wish to ignore the honored reference of “Dr. V. O. Agan”, which he has deservedly worn for several years. But to us, he was “Bro. Agan”. To our smallest children, he was “Bro. Agan”. Even those in his immediate family, when speaking to us of him, reverently called him “Bro. Agan.” And surely, to his friends at Glencoe Bible Methodist Church, he was “Bro. Agan”. We all looked upon him as a great preacher, an influential leader, and a wise counselor, but, because of his gentlemanly and sanctified spirit, we knew that he was our friend. He had a way of relating to all people, of all ages, and in all situations. Bro. Agan could “rub shoulders” with the highest and most important leaders, yet he could descend to show the most sincere attention to the youngest child. His hand has shaken more hands across this world than we’ll ever be able to imagine. He has given that friendly, trademark hug to more people (saints and sinners) than some of us will ever meet! Truly, he was our “Bro. Agan”.

Glencoe Bible Methodist Church is most honored that Bro. Agan chose us as his congregation and place of membership. He always came in with that characteristic smile and greeting, and that trademark hug referred to a moment ago. He worshipped with affirmation and support for the songs sung, and the sermons preached. He testified with the most definite witness of Christ’s saving and sanctifying grace. Then when service was over, he would leave me with the familiar words, “If I can help you with anything, just call me!” What an honor for me personally to be part of that line of ministers who have been called “Bro. Agan’s pastor”.

Glencoe Bible Methodist has lost more than a church member. We have lost a dear friend and faithful comrade. Bro. Agan was respected alike by those among us who were a part of the church from its beginning, and by those who are among the newest in our congregation.

I realize that my part in today’s service is to speak from the standpoint of Bro. Agan’s pastor and local church congregation. However, I cannot simply limit my thoughts to Bro. Agan from a local church standpoint. When I think of this man, I do not think of him merely within the realm of a local church or a local community. Bro. Agan was much larger than this to me and to you here today. Bro. Agan was the first conference president for many of us here who are ministers. Bro. Agan gave us our first preacher’s license. For many of us, Bro. Agan was our very first link of reference to a “Bible Methodist Conference in Alabama”.  Bro. Agan (along with Sis. Agan) has stayed in our homes, eaten at our tables, and preached in our pulpits. My children, and yours, will look back on their childhood and be very proud that they experienced what it was to know Bro. Agan, to hear him preach, and to have him in their homes!

Though we reverence the Wesley brothers and others in referring to our Methodist roots, many times their generation seems so far away from us. Yet for us here today, our most immediate roots go back to a Bro. Agan, who through times of transition, led in a gentle, yet steadfast way, which has brought us to where we are today as a Bible Methodist Church. Fellow pastors, laymen, young people, children,-- we are memorializing a man today who represents our roots as Alabama Bible Methodists. We owe so much to him.

Let me close my remarks today by saying, “Bro. Agan, you’ve made it! The atonement of Christ that saves and cleanses from sin has proven sufficient to your eternal salvation. The Christ, Whom you so ardently loved, and to Whom you were so absolutely surrendered, welcomed you this past Saturday into His eternal Presence. The love of God, of which you repeatedly expressed such unworthiness and awe, now engulfs you in a land that knows no night, no battles, no devil. You have shown us how to preach and how to live; you have shown us the beauty of holiness of heart and conduct; and you have shown us how to die! Bro. Agan, you have gained that which was your unwavering goal since your conversion as a young lad. You are there! You have made it! Bro. Agan, we pastors and ministers who are left behind, pledge to your God and to your legacy that we will carry the torch of the holiness message. We will preach it; by God’s grace we will live it; we will prove that this message fits man to live and fits man to die. Thank you, Bro. Agan for proving this to us.” May God bless the memory and continuing influence of “Bro. Agan.”

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