Tribute to Jim Hill

Monday the 30th of September 1996 saw the loss of one of God's true saints, Jim Hill.

(Jim) Stewart Bloomfield Hill was born on October 16, 1930 in Five Dock N.S.W. the son of a Police Officer whose promotional transfers led the family to Wagga Wagga, Griffith and finally Newcastle. Here Jim commenced his working life as a photographer and soon met a young lady, Joyce Ilene Lancaster. It was through this relationship that Jim accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour. Jim and Joyce later married and Jim left photography to gain further experience in the business world as an insurance salesman. In 1959 Jim was challenged by Holy Spirit to rededicate himself unconditionally to God and this step became a major turning point in his life. He, his wife, and their three children moved to Queensland to take up the position of Trade Manager of the British & Foreign Bible Society bookshop in George St, Brisbane.

Jim was a quiet, compassionate man whose life was spent in service to God and his fellowman. His love for his Lord was particularly evident in his zeal for God's Word, the Bible. Thirty five years of his life were devoted to the distribution and proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he remained with the Bible Society until ill health finally forced his retirement.

His life was a personal witness of his faith in God and the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. Never judgmental or partial, he was not given to making hasty decisions. Gracious in manner, full of compassion and slow to anger - Jim was a tree, firmly planted in Jesus Christ his Lord, bringing forth the fruits of God's Holy Spirit in season.

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. {2} But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. {3} And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Psalm 1:1-3 (KJV)

Jim's life was not without hardship. Early in 1984 he lost his wife Joyce to breast cancer, but Jim's love for his Lord never waned or faltered and he continued steadfastly in the work that God would have him do.

In his abundant mercy God was pleased to bless him with the love of a wonderful woman, Margaret Francis. Jim married Margaret in October 1986 and Jim became an adopted father to three teenagers whom he loved very much. Jim and Margaret's love for each other and for their Lord permeated every facet of their lives. With Margaret's love and support Jim continued with his life's work until, in God's wisdom, his days were cut short. Through the pain and trial of his illness, though difficult and oft times sad, Jim never relinquished the Joy and Hope that is in Christ Jesus. Jim's faith in his Heavenly Father was his hope and this was shown to those who knew him by the godly love he gave even to his last breath.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit." Jer 17:7,8 (NKJV)