Yes, a good man has gone home. The community of Effingham and, more particularly the First Baptist Church of Springfield, has sustained a shock.
Their pastor Jeffrey Rollins was killed in a single vehicle accident late Saturday afternoon.
Members are in a state of disbelief over the loss.
It will take months to even grow somewhat at ease with this loss to the church and the community.
Jeff was a good man. He lived his faith and his beliefs. He pastored the church for just over 25 years. For a pastor to stay happily at a Baptist church for 25 years attests to his unique abilities. We also know that he was a good family man and we mourn with his wife and children.
Jeff was not a firebrand preacher, he spoke simply of what he believed the truth to be from the Bible and shared that to his congregation.
His was low key but seemed to provide the leadership for the many things and carried them out in a Christian manner.
Jeff came to Springfield Baptist when it was the church on Main street in Springfield. During his 25 years he provided the leadership to guide the church and its members to move out to the hill on 119 north. It is a magnificent campus and provides many services beyond the three morning services each Sunday.
If one had suggested that he was a major player in this move and this growth, he would have first given the credit to God and then to the members of the church. That was the kind of man he was. He cared about God’s word, his people and his church.
Need a pastor do more than that?
Referring to him as Jeff does not belittle the man, it shows his humility. My guess would be that most members called him Jeff or Brother Jeff, not Rev. Rollins, or even Dr. Rollins, a title he earned in the last year.
What caused the accident that cost his life? Officially, we don’t know. He was a diabetic and most feel that this was a contributing factor.
I do know that Jeff Rollins was a man of God and will be missed, not only by his congregation, but also by the entire community.
Ruth Lee is an Eff1ingham County resident and a member of Springfield Baptist Church.