A SPECIAL KIND OF SERVANT

Hal Herweck, Jr. is my brother-in-law. That makes him the brother of my wife, Sue. Hal is a very interesting person who possesses energy "far above those of mortal men." He seems to never need sleep. He travels the world over in his job with Phoenix Textiles. He drinks Dr. Pepper. He has two children, Wendy and Trey. He has six grandchildren, who are so often the object of his affection. Hal's wife, Nancy, was the long-time organist at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in St. Charles.

In the early 1980's, Hal, along with Reverend Jay Piper began a gospel music program on KCLC-FM, a station located on the campus of Lindenwood University in St. Charles. The name of the Program is "Hooked on Gospel." Every Sunday morning at 5 am,"Hooked on Gospel" hits the airways on 89.1 on the FM Dial. Reverend Piper died shortly after the program began and Hal has been carrying on since. With music ranging from Contemporary to Southern Gospel to the old hymns, Hal goes into countless homes each week endeavoring to uplift the Christian and share Jesus with those who are unsaved. While on the staff of First Baptist Church of St. Charles, along with his radio program, Hal began reaching young people at St. Charles High School. He has a keen interest in sports, especially high school wrestling and football. In 1982, St. Charles won the state championship in football and Hal developed and published all kinds of spirit items for fans to take to the final game in Kansas City. Until Steve Jacob retired as Athletic Director at SCHS, there was a poster that Hal printed that was hanging in the window of Jacob's office at SCHS.

Hal is a life-time St. Louis Cardinals' fan. Still, he often goes to games and lives and dies with the Cardinals. He is a season ticket holder. His entire family joins him in their support of the Redbirds. In fact, Cardinals' baseball is almost religion to all of the Herwecks.' Hal played church softball into his 60's when he suffered a leg injury that forces him to not only limp, but walk with a cane. In spite of this handicap, he continues his trips abroad even though it is extremely difficult for him to get around. An interesting thing about Hal is he never complains. Not one complaint have I ever heard come from his lips.

Now in the latter part of 2009, Hal continues to arise early on Sunday mornings, make his way to KCLC and continue his ministry. He is the personification of continuing to do what he has always done when everything says "STOP!" Hal is a true servant and is doing everything he can to help son Trey with his young church The Refuge.

Hal is a huge supporter of sister Sue and her writing Christian music. He often has her on his program as she shares her talent with the audience that continues to grow. The world says: "Stop Serving!" Hal continues to ignore this and probably will until the Lord calls him homes and says "Well done, good and faithful servant."