TULSA, Okla. (ABP) — Warren Hultgren, whose sense of humor and compassionate care endeared him to generations of Oklahomans as pastor of Tulsa’s First Baptist Church, died Nov. 14, according to church officials. He was 89.
Warren Hultgren, in an undated photo. (courtesy First Baptist Church)
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He served as pastor of the historic congregation from 1957 until 1992, when he retired and was named pastor emeritus.
“Warren Hultgren was not only a wonderful pastor to First Tulsa, but he was also an icon to the Tulsa community and to Southern Baptists,” said Deron Spoo, the church’s current pastor. “He has, in every way, modeled a great leader and a great follower of Christ.”
Hultgren built the congregation into one of the Sooner State’s largest and most influential. Serving as president of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and as a vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, he earned a reputation for wit and for ecumenical engagement. After he arrived in Tulsa, he began an interdenominational group for clergy at the city’s downtown churches; it remains active.
Hultgren also enjoyed good relations with Tulsa’s Jewish community, and served as president of the local chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (now known as the National Conference for Community and Justice).
“He knew as much Yiddish as I did, and I don't know another Baptist minister in the world who I can say that of,” Charles Sherman, longtime rabbi of Tulsa’s Temple Israel, told the Tulsa World. “Warren was a unique, wonderful soul who influenced a lot of people for good in this community.”
Early on in his Tulsa ministry, Hultgren became known for offering to officiate at funerals for those who had no church home. He ended up presiding over more than 3,500 funerals in his career there.
Hultgren also was known for his friendships with two high-profile national evangelists: Oral Roberts, whose empire was headquartered in Tulsa, and Billy Graham.
The Minnesota native graduated from Hardin-Simmons University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, both in Texas. He served as pastor of churches in Texas and Louisiana before assuming his Tulsa pulpit.
Hultgren is survived by his wife of 64 years, Wanda; two sons; a daughter; a sister; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. local time Nov. 20 at the church.
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Robert Marus is managing editor and Washington bureau chief for Associated Baptist Press.