Remembering Jay George, longtime Tucson pastor
Jan 20, 2021
Pastor Jay George
Jay George, pastor of Tucson Mountain Baptist Church in Tucson for almost 27 years, died Jan. 10 from COVID-19.
A 2017 article in Portraits magazine told about George:
“When Jay George began his ministry as pastor of Tucson Mountain Baptist Church in 1994, there hadn’t been a baptism at the church in nearly two years. But within the first three weeks after his arrival, 13 were baptized and a new era of ministry was ushered in at the church.
“George, who has been in ministry for 54 years and has baptized more than 600 people during that period of time, has countless stories of God moving in people’s lives and how he has been privileged to join them in their journey as they followed their profession of faith in believers’ baptism. Last year, the church baptized 30 individuals and, at one point, celebrated baptisms for 13 weeks in a row.”
David Johnson, Arizona Southern Baptist Convention executive director and a fellow pastor of George’s when Johnson was a pastor in Tucson, spoke about George’s impact.
“Pastor Jay George was a faithful witness, excellent preacher and wonderful pastor,” Johnson said. “He was a true gentleman and statesman in every sense of the word. He not only led a vibrant and growing church, but he served in his association and with the state convention as well.
“Pastor Jay had a heart for missions and led his church to support Southern Baptist mission causes generously,” Johnson continued. “He was loved and respected by all and will be greatly missed. We pray God’s comfort and strength for his family and Tucson Mountain Church.”
John Guillott, director of evangelism and missions in Catalina Association, spoke of George as a leader and statesman.
“Jay’s leadership in Catalina Baptist Association will be greatly missed,” he said. “His wise counsel and wisdom were an indication of his ‘statesman’ role that he played in our association. He was a friend to all of us in Tucson.”
In addition to serving as pastor of Tucson Mountain Baptist Church, George was previously pastor of North Tucson Baptist Church and Overton Road Baptist Church in Tucson.
He answered the call to preach at the age of 15 and became a pastor at the age of 20. Besides serving in Arizona, George was also pastor of churches in Alabama, Alaska, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Michigan.
George is survived Nina, his wife of 59 years; three children; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.