Carson Courier Nov 13 color issue_The Carson Courier 2015 11/12/2015 10:18 PM Page 1
Volume X Issue XII
www.thecarsoncourier.com
November 13, 2015
Honoring Pastor David Buggs
90 Year Old Carson Pastor to Become Pastor Emeritus
By James Thomas Sr.
When I received the call from one of the members of Central Baptist Church in Carson about profiling their Pastor on the front page of the Carson Courier my immediate reaction was, “absolutely not.” The front page of any newspaper is devoted to newsworthy information for the entire community. I did, however, agree to interview Pastor David Buggs for a profile.
segregated south and how he dealt with racism but I found that David Buggs found humor in even the worst situations. “I bet you didn’t know that in the days of segregation that white people couldn’t sit at the back of the bus” with a curious
having a 9th grade education and how he felt the call of God on his life at an early age, however; being a Minister of the Gospel was not his first choice.
“I wanted to be a Lawyer, but God called me to be a Preacher. He said David I can’t allow you to
“I think I kept my promise to her. Would you like to know her favorite words? he asked. “Where’s my purse” he said with a laugh. “She wanted that purse because she knew I always kept something in it for her.”
When I interviewed Pastor in October he was hesitant about doing the interview. “I told these folks they were making too much of a big deal about all of this,” said Pastor Buggs.
I found Pastor Buggs to be a witty man with a sense of humor.
“I will be handing the church over to my son-in-law in November because we need to attract some young people around here. I’m 90 years old, what would I look like trying to preach when I am 100 years old” he said. Pastor David Buggs is a man from humble beginnings. He talked about growing up in the
As Pastor Buggs looked at a picture of his late wife on his conference room wall, he began to speak as if the two of them were alone in the room, “You are still just as pretty as ever” he said. He talked about meeting her and asking her to marry him. “I don’t have any money” he said “but if you will marry me, I promise to take care of you for the rest of my life.” She said yes and they had a beautiful family of five children.
After spending more than an hour with this very special man, I discovered 1)he had absolutely no desire to appear on the front page of any newspaper, 2) he is one of the most humble men I have ever met and 3) it would be a complete and total disservice to showcase this amazing man in any other manner.
The big deal he was talking about, was the fact that he is turning his pulpit over to his son-in-law, Reverend Gerald Waddis in a ceremony on November 24th where he will also be named “Pastor Emeritus.
his life, his wife of 64 years Mrs. Mavis Buggs who passed away in March of this year.
There are many adjectives to describe Pastor David Buggs. Humble, caring, wise, loving are just a few that come to mind. But I found out which one he prefers above all when I referred to him as a “General of the Faith.” He promptly stopped me and asked me not to call him that.
look my response, “I didn’t know that. Pastor Buggs continued, “they could not sit at the back of the bus but and they didn’t like Black folks touching them. Now if the bus was full they had to get on the bus before us and stand up. This forced us to touch them anyway when we got on the bus. they were not very smart” he said laughing.
Pastor Buggs talked about
be a Lawyer, you might get too smart and not do what I tell you to do” he said with his charming smile and wit. He talked about his Pastor not believing God called him into the ministry and how his first congregation was his wife and five children. No conversation about Pastor David Buggs is complete without talking about the love of
“The only title I want to hold is “Servant” that is the most important title in the world to me. I serve God and the people. That’s what makes me happy. Pastor David Buggs is one happy man. I am honored to salute such a gracious servant of God. congratulations Pastor Buggs.
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