I Am Wilshire – Jim Hancock.
Name: Jim Hancock
Hometown: Lubbock
Education: BA Baylor University, 1961; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1964
Profession: Retired pastor
Present City: Savannah, Texas
Tell us about your family.
My wife, Patsy, passed away in 2009. Our daughter, Jana, retired last summer as the director of counseling and family life for the Plano Independent School District. Our oldest son, Jay, is a software consultant for Computer Sciences Corporation in Dallas. Our youngest son, Joe, is VP and general counsel for Higher Grounds Advisors in Dallas. I have six grandchildren.
Tell us about your work.
I served as the pastor of an American Baptist Church in Indiana for three years and the pastor of four Texas Baptist Churches for 37 years. I served two Baptist Areas in West Texas as their Director of Missions for six years. I was privileged to serve in those two different ministries for 46 years.
What are your favorite hobbies?
I am a devoted fan of the Baylor Bears football and basketball programs. I love to read, exercise and have slowly renewed my study of Biblical Hebrew and New Testament Greek.
What is your favorite place to travel?
I have enjoyed two trips to Israel. I love the Rocky Mountains and have made multiple trips to the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado.
What brought you to Wilshire and when?
I knew two former pastors of Wilshire, Bruce McIver and Huber Drumwright. I heard George Mason preach at the organizational meeting of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in Atlanta. Those three connections prompted me to visit and join Wilshire in 2012. I drive 80 miles round trip every Sunday and the distance is well worth it.
Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I am a member of Discovery Class and serve on the Library Committee.
What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
No surprises! I knew enough to know the preaching ministry was insightful. I have been so pleased with the music ministry and our style of worship. The fellowship of the people has blessed me in a wonderful way.
What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?
I knew Buddy Holly quite well in junior high and high school. My brother, Gerre Hancock, was the organist and choir master at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in New York City for 30 years. He was a worldwide legend as an accomplished master of the pipe organ.
If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray