Luther Gibbs: Gifted Visionary, Leader and Administrator

Boulevard Baptist Church

Born to Charles Benjamin Gibbs and Adora Louise Gibbs (nee Miller), Luther Benjamin Gibbs was an outstanding Jamaica Baptist minister from Gibraltar, St Ann. When he entered the world on March 15, 1922, no one had any idea of the outstanding contribution he would make from within the community of faith.

He grew up in a family of Baptists and benefited from early exposure to life in a village that took seriously its responsibility to care for its young people and he was formed, from childhood, under the influence of the historic Gibraltar Baptist Church, where he professed faith in Jesus Christ and received baptism. He learned much from the exemplary ministry of his pastor, Rev. Ivan Cyprian Parsons.

In 1941, he sat and passed the Third Jamaica Local Examinations, having already passed the first and second levels of the examinations, and was employed as a teacher at the Lime Tree Gardens Elementary School.

In 1945, Gibbs was admitted to the Calabar Theological College, where his outstanding leadership gifts saw him being assigned the position of senior student. Gibbs successfully completed the requirements for the Intermediate Bachelor of Divinity degree from the University of London. On July 13, 1950, after graduating from Calabar, he was ordained to the ministry in his home church – the Gibraltar Baptist Church.

Rev. Gibbs met Beryl Parkinson and, soon, the two were joined in matrimony. Mrs. Gibbs became her husband’s committed partner in ministry.  She was a faithful leader in the Jamaica Baptist Women’s Federation (JBWF) and its branch at Boulevard. Anyone researching the JBWF files to write a history of the organization will give God thanks for Mrs. Gibbs and her years of sound stewardship as JBWF Secretary.  Mrs. Gibbs is also celebrated for her contribution as an efficient administrator in the office of the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship. The union of the Gibbses produced four children –Paul, Robert, Richard and Janice. Despite her many responsibilities, Mrs. Gibbs found time to contribute significantly to the leadership and administration of the Horizon Home, JBU’s Home for the Aged.

Gibbs' first pastorate was the Hanover Street circuit of Baptist Churches, which was the fellowship that gave birth to Tarrant, Denham Town and Boulevard Baptist churches. Fresh from Calabar College, Gibbs arrived at Hanover Street as a keen and enthusiastic young man with a large vision, outstanding leadership skills and a disciplined approach to life. These were soon in evidence. He was successor to Rev. Walter Foster, who had been the church’s honorary pastor.

Gibbs revitalized the ministry of the Hanover Street Church. Under his leadership, the church membership grew and the building erected for corporate had to be extended. After 25 years of service at Hanover Street, Gibbs resigned to become the full-time pastor of the Boulevard Church, where he was the pioneer pastor. He served there for 21 years and left church buildings that are a monument to vast vision, firm faith and deft management. When the worship centre was being erected, the pastor was subjected to severe criticism for spending so much money on a church building “to be used only on Sundays.” Today, the building is the most sought-after worship space in Kingston and St Andrew. In addition to its purpose as a home for a local church, it is the celebrated meeting place for the Jamaica Baptist Union Annual Assembly, the Kingston Keswick Convention, and a host of other large church events. The building is a spacious, attractive and welcoming space and the parking facility is more adequate than perhaps any other church has provided anywhere in the parish of St Andrew. Thousands have thanked God that Luther Gibbs had the vision to have the Boulevard Church building erected.

During his two pastorates, and also while in retirement, Gibbs made himself available as interim pastor or moderator of several churches – Denham Town, Ebenezer (Lawrence Tavern), Barbican, Phillippo, Gregory Park and New Haven Baptist churches. 

In 1970, Gibbs read for the Master of Arts degree in Theology at the Eastern Baptist (now, Palmer) Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He also benefited from a scholarship from the Christian Endeavour Movement which saw him undertake studies in leadership in several settings in England, Wales, Scotland and Germany. 

 Luther Gibbs (front middle) with National Christian 
Endeavour Leaders on Scholarship in England

                   

Many vital projects undertaken by JBU were either Gibb’s brainchild or were influenced both in conception and in implementation by Rev. Gibbs. In addition, he either conceptualized, directed, assisted or supervised the development of several church buildings. Beyond this, Gibbs played a vital role in the preparatory process for JBU’s incorporation. He understood the importance of JBU’s incorporation and, as was his Under his watch, Hanover Street, Lawrence Tavern, Gregory Park and Barbican were renovated or extended. He directed the erection of Grace Baptist (May Pen) and the development of JBU’s Horizon Home for the Aged. He directed the renovation of the house purchased for the use of the JBU General Secretary. He was also instrumental in the development of the Baptist Conference Centre in Duncans. His memorable presidential address at the JBU Assembly promoting the cause of the Nutshell Conference Centre models how to secure buy-in for an important church project.

Luther Gibbs made his gifts available to JBU. He served as moderator for the Kingston & St Andrew Baptist Association and he was JBU President 1963-64 and 1978-80. He also served as General Secretary, 1991-94.

Gibbs was an excellent pastor and he influenced several of his members to offer for service as ministers of religion. He was generous in giving advice and counsel to pastors setting out on their ministerial career.

Nor did he confine his sphere of service to Baptists. He served at different times as Secretary and President of the Jamaica Christian Endeavour movement and was a longstanding member of the Kingston Keswick Council. Gibbs also served as Assistant Secretary and Vice President of the Jamaica Council of Churches.

In 1992, he was awarded the justly deserved national honour of Commander of the Order of Distinction.

Hundreds mourned the passing of Mrs. Gibbs when she predeceased her husband in 2017. On June 16, 2019, her husband followed her to their heavenly home.

Luther and Beryl Gibbs modelled firm commitment to Christ, giftedness for Christian ministry and general partnership in Christian service.