HERITAGE: A man who cared

Bill Jenkins once was described as “firm, fair and faithful.” Roland Byrd, the long-time Baptist campus minister at Virginia Tech, who was describing his former boss and mentor in ministry, said, “Bill encouraged us and helped us to do what is just.” Byrd was referring to Jenkins' heroic career as headmaster of Virginia Baptist student work as well as his insistence upon inclusiveness.

Jenkins came to Virginia student ministry in 1957 following the pioneer Ralph Winders, who had guided student work from 1944-57. In 1957 there were 12 directors of student work and 27 active Baptist Student Unions on major college campuses around the state. One of the feisty young director's goals was “the organization of a BSU in every college or university where Baptist students have created a desire for such a program” and “the establishing of a permanent Baptist Student Center adjacent to the campus of every state college or university where the BSU and its program warrants this ministry.”

Through hard work, politics and sheer determination, Bill Jenkins met his goals. Across the Commonwealth, Virginia Baptists built handsome buildings to house student work and put forth the word that Baptists cared about the student generation. There never was a doubt that Jenkins was a man who cared.

In April 1958, about 300 students gathered at Eagle Eyrie for the first BSU conference. Jenkins later remembered its significance: “Under the leadership of president Ellis West, a UR student, they worshipped, studied and appointed eight summer missionaries to Nigeria, Hawaii, Alaska, New Mexico, Louisiana and California. Back down [Eagle Eyrie's] mountain, Virginia communities and campuses were locked in a massive resistance to integration which reflected racial prejudice and bias … commonplace in those years. And these students spoke with a clear, Christian conscience by an overwhelming passage of a resolution.” The resolution condemned racial discrimination and was forwarded by Clint Hopkins, BSU secretary, to several Baptist organizations and the press. The younger generation had spoken and they were prepared to inherit a new world.

In 1962 Jenkins invited Bill Lawson, an African-American pastor in Houston, to speak at the annual BSU convention. He was the first black to use Eagle Eyrie's facilities and he spoke to an all-white student audience. The speaker disarmed the crowd by saying: “Probably some of you have never seen or touched a black man up close. I invite you to do so while I am here because I believe we are all one in Jesus Christ.” In 1970, the campus ministry department at the Virginia Mission Board, with assistance from Virginia WMU, hired Cessar Scott, an African-American minister, to work with historically black colleges. He was succeeded by Roy Cotton. Eagle Eyrie became the site of an annual black student conference.

When one of Virginia's colleges integrated for the first time, Jenkins and the local BSU director held a welcoming service for students at a local black Baptist church because the white Baptist church had “let it be known that its doors would be closed” to the black Baptist student who was entering the college.

Jenkins, a native of Norton in Southwest Virginia, was greatly influenced by three women: his mother; his pastor's wife, Mrs. C.W. McIlroy, president of Virginia WMU from 1923-25; and Louise Fletcher, a Virginia WMU state missionary. Fletcher established a good will center at Stoney Lonesome, a mining camp near Norton. For the Jenkins boy, Fletcher at first was just “that little woman from up east who talks funny.” Yet, forever after, he credited Fletcher as “a positive role model” and one of those who opened his mind and heart to the needs of others.

Jenkins enrolled at Carson-Newman College, and in the BSU he met and “fell in love” with Millie White, the BSU's devotional vice president. “Little did I realize at the time where this romance and later marriage would take me in my ministry.” A native of Chattanooga, Millie was equally smitten with the young man from Virginia. They married in July 1944 and the college grads headed off to Southwestern Seminary. She became a high school English teacher, debate coach and guidance counselor. They became active in First Baptist Church, Richmond, and had two children—Emily Jenkins Cardoza, now of Arizona, and William H. Jenkins III, now of Richmond.

Jenkins headed Virginia Baptists' student work from 1957-70, and in 1988 became division director over several areas that included student work, missions ministries, minister support and communications. From 1988 until his retirement in 1991, he headed the communications office. For 35 years, Jenkins was a powerhouse at “the Baptist building” (and he served in three successive buildings and under three execs).

Emily Daniel, an active Baptist layperson, considers Jenkins to be her “favorite character” in Virginia Baptist life. She observed him closely as they worked on committees. “It became very evident that he was dedicated to missions and to God's work. He was a good administrator and followed the rules, plus he possessed knowledge about the work. He believed in getting a job done and done right!” Joyce Journey worked with “Mr. J.,” as she called him, and considers him “one of God's finest.” “He always was true to his word—good, bad or indifferent. He fought for things he thought were fair and for the churches which could not afford a pastor. He cared about Virginia Baptists.”

William H. Jenkins was one of a kind. He could be intimidating, but on rare occasions, he allowed others to see his softer side. He was indefatigable in traveling the state on Mission Board business. He networked before anyone thought of the term. He played father image for generations of BSU members. He was a tough and demanding boss for lots of employees. When all was said and done, he was a man who cared. Jenkins died on Dec. 10 in Arizona at age 85.