Pastor Paul M. High

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3: 13 - 14 Paul High, the youngest child of the late Rev. and Mrs. Herman H. High, was born on December 17, 1954, in Orange, Texas. His first exposure to church activities occurred at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church of Orange, where his father was the pastor. When Rev. Herman High accepted the pastorate at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas, in 1960, Paul's Christian development and inherent music potential began to unfold. Paul's greatest inspiration and influence came from his father, as evident in these words: "I used to travel with him in revivals. I've been all over the country with him. My father's mantle fell on me like Elijah's fell on Elisha." Paul attended West Oakland Elementary School and Odom Elementary School in Beaumont and graduated from Hebert High School in 1973. He received an Associate of Arts degree in 1985 from the Mt. Carmel School of Religion in Houston and a Bachelor of Theology degree in Christian Education from Union Baptist Theological Seminary in 1996 in Houston. In 2003, Paul received an honorary doctorate degree from GMOR Institute in Houston. For years, he participated in the Congress of Christian Education, the National Baptist Convention, Ministerial Alliances and other religious workshops and training sessions. At the age of 15, Paul was encouraged by his father to use his singing gift, which he did primarily in the gospel quartet tradition. At the same time, Paul developed an affinity for the guitar as he developed as a singer. He was a member of the Golden Tones (Rev. R. L. Allen, manager), the Jordanaires (Rev. Ernest Larkins, manager) and the Silver Wings. Paul was a co-founder, with Rev. Willie Coleman, and the manager and songwriter of the New Messengers, a gospel recording group. Among Paul's favorite musicians were Kylo Turner of the Pilgrim Travelers, Minnie Eaglin, a well-known gospel singer and organist in Houston; Rev. Claude Jeter, lead tenor of the Swan Silvertones; Helen Brock and the Gospelettes of Houston; the Barrett Sisters of Chicago, for whom his brother Ronald was a pianist; the Joyful Harmonizers of Houston; and several other artists. The Brotherhood Chorus of First Nazareth Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina, performed three of Paul's compositions on one of its annual musicals. On November 24, 1979, Paul entered into holy matrimony with Jacqueline Williams, a woman of God, who would be a tireless laborer in the ministry with her husband. She eventually accepted the call as an evangelist under the guidance of Paul. Paul's preaching ministry started at the age of 25, having received his licensure in 1980 at New Bethel Baptist Church in Houston, where Dr. W. H. Dudley was the pastor. In 1983, Paul was ordained by Rev. R. D. Douglas, the pastor of Greater True Vine Baptist Church in Houston, with the assistance of Rev. Herman H. High, the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Beaumont. Subsequent to his ordination, Paul became the pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church in Brazoria, Texas, where he served from 1985 - 1988. From 1992 until his demise, Paul served as the pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Goodrich, Texas. On the occasion of his twelfth year at New Hope, the sentiments of the congregation were expressed as follows: "God has given us a leader and our hearts are filled with joy and happiness for the personal blessings we have enjoyed under his leadership. Pastor High, we thank God for you, your spirit-filled messages, and songs. Continue to draw lost souls from far and near to Christ." In addition to Paul's ministry as a pastor and musician, he was a guest speaker for numerous tributes, revivals and other engagements. These occasions included Father's Day at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Beaumont, Rev. Kavin Jones, pastor; West Tabernacle Baptist Church in Beaumont, Rev. Jerry High, pastor; the city wide New Year's Day services in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he and his father delivered sermons on the same platform. In May 1978, Paul traveled with his family to Chicago to hear his father speak for the morning worship service at the historic Monumental Baptist Church, where his brother was one of the organists. Paul's impact and outreach is felt in the advice and nurture that he provided to fellow ministers and young preachers who were beginning their pastorates. Furthermore, in order to assist ministers with challenges that they would face as pastors, Paul established the Herman H. Institute, which had its inaugural session at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Beaumont. Paul believed in the importance of family. He continued the tradition that was established by his maternal grandfather of conducting family devotion in the home on Christmas Day. An avid fisherman, Paul used this outlet as an opportunity to reflect on ways to make his ministry more effective, as well as provide leisure time with his wife and close friends. Paul was a great storyteller and folklorist, a delight to his listeners. Paul was pre-deceased by his parents and sister Sherry. He is survived by his wife Jacqueline (Jackie) of 35 years; four children: Kerry (LaPrise) of Waco, Texas; Genese of Phoenix, Arizona; Paula (Lardell) of Houston, Texas; and Joseph (Rosa) of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren: Maia, Bria, Brayton, Zachariah, Zariah, James, Janelle, and Ava; great granddaughter Kyle; mother-in-law Doris Williams; brothers: Dr. Ronald H. High of Columbia, South Carolina; Rev. Jerry High (Rose) of Beaumont, Texas; aunts: Beverly Ann Fullalove, Lorene Bennett, Louise Williams, all of Dallas, Texas; Bernestine Fullalove of Ft. Worth, Texas; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues. Services for Pastor High will be held Saturday, July 18, 2015, at Greater Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church 8901 Jensen Dr., Houston, Texas 77093. The Viewing will begin at 9:00am, followed by the Life Celebratory Service at 10:00am. Pastor Joe Russell, Officiating Pastor Garfield Como, Eulogist And He Shall Rest: Cemetery Beautiful