Hyatt celebrates 40 years at CFBC

Callahan First Baptist Church Pastor Lynn Hyatt reflects on four decades of service in western Nassau. 

Hyatt began serving the church July 1, 1979. He and wife Peggy had married Feb. 2 that same year. The pastor led his first Bible study in Callahan July 4. Seventeen people were in attendance that night. 

“I challenged them to bring somebody with them,” Hyatt recalled. “The next week we had over 60 people. We found the people hungry for the Word of God and for the practical application of the Word of God.” 

“And that’s why we grew,” Peggy interjected. 

“We’ve always encouraged our people to share their faith with others who do not have a relationship with Jesus,” Lynn Hyatt said. 

The Luther Rice Seminary graduate met his future wife at First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, then led by Peggy’s father, the late Homer Lindsay, Jr. 

Before arriving in Callahan, Hyatt served as youth pastor in Inverness.

“We packed up in a U-Haul and came to Callahan,” he said. 

Peggy felt God’s urging to follow her husband. 

“I’ve always said, ‘It’s God first, then my family, then the church,’” she said. “When Lynn was called here, I felt the calling of the Lord too, to serve and reach the community for Jesus.” 

Married at 19, she was unsure how she would fulfill the role as a pastor’s wife. 

“I got good advice from my mom, Shirley Lindsay and my grandmother Ruth Lindsay,” Peggy said. “My mom said, ‘Be yourself, love Jesus and love people.’ That’s my motto. What you see is what you get and I’m human, forgive me – and they have. People have been so loving and gracious.” 

Her husband said, “No pastor and wife could have asked for a church family to be more gracious and loving and easy to lead.”

In retrospect, Hyatt believes that he responded faithfully to serve others. 

“I was confident that God had called me to pastor and I was confident that He had called us here,” he said. “And we were committed to spending our lives here, but never expected to spend our lives here.” 

As Callahan grew, the congregation expanded. A gymnasium was built in 1984. The multipurpose building provided added space necessary for Sunday School classes. The former auditorium was renovated in the early 1980s, with the balcony finished for utilization. The existing auditorium was newly built in 1994. 

Hyatt said that God’s vision for the church unfolded gradually through the decades.

“It’s always been a step-by-step – incremental,” he added. “I think if He had shown me on the front end, it would have scared me to death. We’re thankful that God has been faithful and our people have been faithful, loving and patient.” 

During his tenure, the congregation has grown to 500 to 600 in attendance. In January, a new congregation, led by Pastor Todd Carr, started meeting at Wildlight Elementary School with more than 200 in attendance for Sunday worship at 10:15 a.m. 

“The planting of the church has been a blessing, because we sent so many of our leaders over there,” Hyatt said. “We’re watching God raise up new leaders here, which is a blessing.” 

CFBC shares the gospel message through numerous outreach programs. 

“Our missions ministry is huge,” Hyatt said. “We have partnerships all over the State of Florida, all over the United States and all over the world.” 

The church also provides support efforts to Nassau County School District teachers with a campus cleanup day, school resources and supplies. Community projects have assisted residents with home repairs. Future plans include expanding the food pantry and other outreaches. 

On Sundays, Bible study starts at 9 a.m., Worship services begin at 10:15 and evening worship services are held at 6:30 p.m. Family Supper begins at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays with discipleship classes at 6:45 p.m. Saturday Night Worship is at 6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center. 

“We want to expand our community outreach to make a greater impact on Callahan and surrounding communities,” Hyatt said. “We’re asking God to give us a location to center those activities.” 

The couple has two adult children and four grandchildren to share life experiences. At this stage, the pair feels energized to accomplish even more to assist the community. 

“It seems that God has saved some of the best for this next phase of ministry,” Hyatt said. 

The pastor and his family will be honored Sunday during a celebration service marking his 40-year tenure. Special guest speakers and music are planned. The service begins at 10:15 a.m. Lunch follows in the gymnasium.