H. B. Charles Jr. Remembers John A. ‘Pops’ Reed Jr.

Last week, on August 26, at the age of 86, John A. Reed Jr. quietly fell asleep in Jesus’s arms. His passing didn’t register on most people’s radar. But the news of his death had wide and strong aftershocks for many in Oklahoma City and around the country who knew and loved “Pops” or “Pop Reed.”

The nicknames say a lot about the man and his ministry. Those like me who knew Reed viewed him as a father figure.

Lifetime Legacy

Reed was born in the home of a pastor. He was a U.S. Army veteran, a graduate of Langston University, and, most importantly, the pastor of Fairview Missionary Baptist Church. Through his six decades of ministry, Reed touched many lives for Christ. At the news of his passing, the mayor of Oklahoma City, David Holt, called Reed “one of the most impactful residents [the] city has ever known.”

Reed was baptized in Fairview. He preached there at the age of 19. After being asked to assist the pastor, he served that one congregation from the time he was 24 years old until his final days. Reed announced his retirement from Fairview’s pulpit on Father’s Day 2024—more than 61 years after his ministry there began.

Though it’s not every pastor’s calling, there’s something special about a man who plants his flag for the gospel in a congregation and stays there serving Christ and the church for a lifetime.

Earnest Preacher, Faithful in Crisis

Because of his faithful and earnest preaching in Oklahoma City, Reed also was privileged to travel the country proclaiming Christ crucified. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear he preached in every U.S. state. It was as if his motto was “Have Bible, will travel.”

Yet if you ask Fairview’s members, they’ll tell you Pastor Reed was always there for them. When the sheep needed him, this faithful shepherd was there to care for his flock—from pastoral counseling to visiting the sick to grief care. For over half a century, Reed led Fairview with pulpit excellence, gospel vision, strategic discipleship, pastoral care, and wise administration.

There’s something special about a man who plants his flag for the gospel in a congregation and stays there serving Christ and the church for a lifetime.

In 1995, I preached at Fairview during their annual Simultaneous Revival, a weeklong evangelistic effort led by a coalition of churches. That Wednesday morning, I was awakened by what I thought was an earthquake. When I looked out my hotel window, I could see smoke rising downtown. We’d soon learn terrorists used a bomb to bring down the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. I had a front-row seat to watch Reed, who was serving as president of the local ministers’ fellowship, lead churches to pray for and serve their shocked and brokenhearted city while he also ministered to families in his congregation who’d lost loved ones in the bombing.

Intentional Mentor, Servant of the Community

Reed was a “preacher’s preacher.” He was a friend of preachers and a strong supporter of young preachers. Many congregations in Oklahoma City and beyond are led by “sons of Fairview,” whom Reed licensed, ordained, and trained. The list of pastors—young and old—who are where they are because Reed gave them a helping hand is long. I’m a part of that list.

Along with leading local ministerial alliances, Reed worked tirelessly in his denomination, serving as the state president and regional vice-president of the National Baptist Convention, USA. He was also out in front of the civil rights progress made in Oklahoma City over the decades. On many occasions, Reed’s concern for his community prompted him to lead the way in political matters. But more often, he prayed for and counseled city, state, and national leaders behind the scenes—pastoring the politicians. When pressed to run for office, Reed refused, prioritizing gospel proclamation and shepherding his beloved Fairview.

From ‘Uncle John’ to ‘Pops’

Reed and my father were dear friends. My dad affectionately called him “Buddy.” I can’t remember a time when “Uncle John” wasn’t a part of my life. My dad preached the Simultaneous Revival at Reed’s invitation the week after Easter each year. Reed preached Homecoming services for my dad in Los Angeles each June.

The day my father died, Reed was flying home from preaching at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, where my dad had served for 40 years. That same day, I was flying home from preaching at a youth meeting in Detroit. I was still in high school. After we both landed and received the news, Reed called to assure me that “Uncle John” would be heading right back to L.A. to be with me. But when he arrived a few days later, Reed was no longer my “Uncle John.” He was “Pops.” He adopted me as a son and was truly always there for me.

Images provided by John A. Reed Jr.’s family

Pops was with me as we preached my father’s funeral. He came back the next summer to ordain me to the gospel ministry. Then that November, at age 17, I went to Mt. Sinai to vote for a new senior pastor; I came home as that new pastor. I didn’t know what to do next, but Reed was there to advise, support, and encourage me. He helped to install me in both the congregations where I’ve served. He preached the message at my wedding to Crystal, and he treated my children as his grandchildren.

Words and a Life to Remember

The year after my dad passed, Reed invited me to preach at the Simultaneous Revival in honor of my father. He kept inviting me back to preach that revival week for more than two decades. It was through preaching for him that I met many great pulpiteers and was invited to preach in churches across the country. Each year, he’d recommend a fresh crop of books for me to read. “Son, make friends with books,” he’d say. “They will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I called the first book I wrote It Happens After Prayer. The book title was Reed’s line, and it was no mere pulpit slogan. For decades, he’d call his members to prayer with the wonderful assurance that God is willing to hear and able to answer. It wouldn’t be a stretch to suggest longtime Fairview members will remember their pastor’s prayers as much as his sermons.

For decades, Reed would call his members to prayer with the wonderful assurance that God is willing to hear and able to answer.

After I preached at Fairview as a young preacher, Pops would often say to the congregation, “And it does not yet appear what he shall be . . .” Hearing him speak that subtle benediction over me encouraged me to attempt great things for the Lord. Now, as an older man and more seasoned preacher, my ambitions have mellowed. I’ve seen too many ministers crash and burn on the track as they sought to cross the line ahead of everyone else. At this point, I just want to finish strong, as Reed did:

I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Tim. 4:6–8)

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