Being a life-long resident of the Mid-Ohio Valley (the Parkersburg WV-Marietta OH and surrounding area), it is truly amazing to look back over the last several decades to access the impact Jack Hyles, and to a lesser degree Jack Schaap, has had on many of the churches in my area.
I remember as a new Christian hearing Jack Hyles for the first time. I also remember afterward stupidly gauging all other preachers by the Hyles' standard. How naive I was. Back in the mid-70s to early 80s Hyles would roll into the area (to the largest church in the area, of course) for a Mon-Tues conference. And we all would make our yearly pilgrimage to honor the Pope. Several thousands of us, with hundreds of preachers in the services.
Then a few years later the HAC-grads began to infiltrate the area. We had Hyles-churches all up and down on both sides of the Ohio River.
As I look back after exiting uber-IFBism long ago, I can clearly see how many of these pastors were pure narcissists just like Hyles. But the most egregious part of their cloning was the way they treated others. It was terrible. Genuine "my-way-or-the-highway" pablum. I should know...my fromer pastor was (and continues to be) one of those remaining narcissistic kool-aid drinking Hyles-robots.
The Mid-Ohio Valley has cleansed itself somewhat of the Hyles infestation with just a handful of churches remaining. Maybe one day we'll eventually be rid of them also.
Stepping off my soap-box now.
I remember as a new Christian hearing Jack Hyles for the first time. I also remember afterward stupidly gauging all other preachers by the Hyles' standard. How naive I was. Back in the mid-70s to early 80s Hyles would roll into the area (to the largest church in the area, of course) for a Mon-Tues conference. And we all would make our yearly pilgrimage to honor the Pope. Several thousands of us, with hundreds of preachers in the services.
Then a few years later the HAC-grads began to infiltrate the area. We had Hyles-churches all up and down on both sides of the Ohio River.
As I look back after exiting uber-IFBism long ago, I can clearly see how many of these pastors were pure narcissists just like Hyles. But the most egregious part of their cloning was the way they treated others. It was terrible. Genuine "my-way-or-the-highway" pablum. I should know...my fromer pastor was (and continues to be) one of those remaining narcissistic kool-aid drinking Hyles-robots.
The Mid-Ohio Valley has cleansed itself somewhat of the Hyles infestation with just a handful of churches remaining. Maybe one day we'll eventually be rid of them also.
Stepping off my soap-box now.
