By Susan Koehler, Director of Communications
In 1999, Rev. G. John Willis Jr. began his nine-year tenure as Trinity’s senior pastor. He and his wife, Pat, moved from Kissimmee to Florida’s capital city, eager to become a part of Trinity’s rich and storied history. This trip down memory lane is a joyous journey. As John often said, “Trust me on this – you don’t want to miss it!”
Setting the Stage
John recalls that he preached his first sermon at Trinity on a Sunday in July, and the very next day, crews arrived to begin tearing up carpet in the chancel area. Trinity’s Organ Committee had been working tirelessly since 1996 to address issues with the Sanctuary’s Austin Opus 2409 after it was damaged by a water leak. In a rather chaotic start to his tenure at Trinity, John watched as scaffolding was raised, leaks were repaired, and the soft floor coverings in the chancel were replaced by Italian tile.
Fortunately, John had a knack for creative thinking and liked using tangible objects to enhance his sermons. He found a “wall” that had once been used in a stage production, placed it in front of the rubble, and made it a central part of his sermon series. From the very beginning, he proved his ability to make the best of a difficult situation.
By October, the chancel work was completed and the organ, pipes, and other components were delivered. Following that, there was a month-long process of installation and tonal adjustment. Finally, on December 19, 1999, five months into his appointment, John led the dedication of the new Casavant Frères Opus 3786 organ, which remains an integral part of the worship experience at Trinity to this day.
A New Millennium
Although January 2000 began quietly and free from Y2K disasters, John could not have predicted the trying times that lay ahead. November 2000 was marked by a presidential election that accentuated the nation’s polarization and was so close that it required a manual recount of Florida’s ballots. Tallahassee became ground zero for a storm of uncertainty that gripped the country and resonated throughout the world. The recount took place at the public library across the street from Trinity. The area was immediately overwhelmed by heavy traffic, swarms of protesters, and a barrage of media professionals.
John recalls receiving a phone call from an usher on Saturday, December 9, alerting him that police had blocked off the library parking lot. He feared church-goers would arrive the next morning and find no available parking. However, that was the Saturday that the U.S. Supreme Court made its decision to halt the recount and declare George W. Bush the winner of Florida’s electoral votes. The ballot counters, media vans, and protesters dissipated, and by Sunday morning, the library lot had plenty of parking spaces available.
The Capital Faith Forum
Although the hotly contested election had been settled, the year 2001 began with an undercurrent of conflict still affecting the community at large. It was during this time that John led Trinity’s establishment of the Capital Faith Forum. The idea was to create a forum where civic leaders and participants from across the community could share in civil discourse. The first Capital Faith Forum was to feature Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Wells, and it was scheduled for September 11, 2001.
As the events of that fateful morning began to unfold, John called his scheduled speaker, and they debated whether to move forward with the event. In the face of grief, fear, and uncertainty, they decided to turn the first Capital Faith Forum into a time prayer. Both John and Justice Wells spoke briefly, and then attendees were invited to kneel at the altar while a harpist played.
Afterward, the group gathered for lunch in Moor Hall. During the meal, a local radio station called the church seeking solace from a pastor. John was able to share a prayer from a phone in the kitchen, extending the peace found at Trinity that day into the community at large.
Although the first Capital Faith Forum did not proceed as planned, it provided a sacred space on a day of turmoil. Over the next few years, the Capital Faith Forum brought college coaches, educators, and other community leaders to Trinity. They discussed their experiences, referenced their faith, promoted civil discourse, and shared a meal with participants. For about three years, the Capital Faith Forum continued to connect church and community.
The Church with a Heart for the City
John had always been drawn to the story of Pentecost, but he became particularly struck by the fact that Jesus said to his followers, “Stay in the city until you have received the spirit from on high.” The words “stay in the city” resonated with John, and he began to reason that because of its downtown location, Trinity could have a profound impact on the capital city.
John began a campaign that proclaimed Trinity to be a church with a heart for the city. Members received red, heart-shaped pins inscribed with the letter T. He explained that the T represented three things: Trinity, which is who we are; Tallahassee, which is where we are; and the cross of Christ, which is whose we are.
In keeping with this theme, Trinity’s first Ministry Fair came into being. Community agencies and charitable organizations set up booths, shared their goals and accomplishments, and recruited many willing volunteers. Through the Ministry Fair, church members found ways to actively serve the city.
Trinity’s heart for the city extended to children as well, with designated outreach programs to schools and organizations throughout the city. The church established a partnership with Kate Sullivan Elementary, sponsoring school supply drives and enlisting volunteer mentors to provide tutoring and support for students. Bear Sunday was established in an effort to collect and distribute stuffed animals to children in our community who were experiencing trauma or grief. Both the Kate Sullivan partnership and Bear Sunday continue to this day.
Another initiative of this campaign was the designation of one Sunday in January as Community Sunday. In January 2002, Trinity honored Tallahassee firefighters. At the beginning of the service, firefighters carried a flag and processed behind the choir. The tragedy of September 11 had brought the courage and sacrifice of first responders to the forefront of public consciousness; honoring our city’s firefighters was a fitting start to this annual tradition. Over the next couple of years, Trinity honored teachers and law enforcement officers, continuing to express gratitude to those who serve our community.
Celebrating Trinity’s Heritage
In 1999, Trinity was celebrating its 175th anniversary. A committee had already been working on plans to commemorate this occasion before Rev. Willis arrived. He immediately affirmed the importance of this milestone and embraced the celebration. Associate Pastor Rev. Mark Caldwell and his wife, Tiffany, dressed in period costumes and arrived in a vintage car. Retired Bishop Lloyd Knox attended as a guest of honor.
The day was so joyous that Rev. Willis decided Trinity should hold another celebration five years later. While commemorating a 180th birthday might not be a typically recognized milestone, he said “I just wanted to do it – we have a reason to celebrate.” And what a celebration it was!
There was only one service on the day of Trinity’s 180th celebration, and it was held outdoors in the Chain of Parks. Beneath the sprawling live oaks, nearly 1,000 congregants gathered for worship. Rev. Willis rode in on a horse, reminiscent of Methodist circuit riders. In addition to Trinity’s choir, music for the service included steel drums and a brass quintet. After worship, attendees were treated to an old-fashioned Southern lunch featuring fried chicken, corn relish, green beans, potato salad, cornbread, and an assortment of homemade desserts.
Trinity’s Sister Church in Cuba
About one year into John’s time at Trinity, he was introduced to our sister church, Templo San Pablo, in Fomento, Cuba. During the early stages of this cross-cultural relationship, John appointed Sam Rogers, who had recently retired, to coordinate the project. Together with his wife Mary Margaret, Sam planned the visit and laid the foundation for an extension of Trinity’s love that reached across national boundaries and broke through ideological barriers.
Once in Cuba, John was able to preach to an enthusiastic congregation with the help of a translator. He was particularly warmed by the fact that so many children were in attendance. With great fondness, he recalls that “the entire front of the sanctuary was filled with children.”
Fortunately, he had brought Hollywood, his puppet, along with him. (Hollywood had often delighted young audiences at churches John served, including Trinity.) With the assistance of the translator, Hollywood was able to reach the children of Cuba and encourage them to bring their friends back for the second night of worship.
Hollywood was very convincing. Trinity’s group had brought 300 trinkets to distribute that night, and after the distribution, they had only five remaining. John was told that the only time children’s shows aired on the state-sponsored channels was on Sunday mornings. The intent of the Communist government was to discourage children from attending church.
The engagement generated by Hollywood convinced John that he needed to leave the puppet in Cuba. With the help of the translator, he said, “As soon as Pastor John leaves, Hollywood will learn to speak Spanish immediately.” On a recent trip to Cuba, Trinity members confirmed that Hollywood is fluent in Spanish and is still highly effective in serving the children of Templo San Pablo.
The Legacy of Rev. John Willis
Between 1999 and 2008, Rev. John Willis left an indelible mark on Trinity. In addition to the events and programs discussed, he also wrote Lenten studies for the entire church body and was one of forty pastors from different denominations selected to participate in the Oxford Round Table. Without a doubt, he seized opportunities for growth and learning, and he shared that growth and learning with his congregation.
When John reflects upon his legacy, he humbly states he was fortunate that Trinity had “the horses” to carry out the ideas he envisioned. During his time at Trinity, Rev. John Willis established himself as a person who put his faith into action – continually learning and enthusiastically sharing the love of Christ with everyone who crossed his path.
Although he retired in 2008, John and Pat remain active parts of Trinity’s congregation today. If you have not yet been blessed by his infectious smile, enthusiastic love, and gentle spirit, you need to find John and introduce yourself. Trust me on this – you don’t want to miss it.