September 2021

For this month’s blog I want to do something a little different. I want to celebrate the life of Roy McArthur Locklear, Jr. also known more affectionately as Bro. Mack or Pastor Mack. I’m sure many of you have read his obituary or maybe even saw or attended his memorial service this past Saturday. I have also read many testimonies about how Bro. Mack impacted so many lives. Today I want to give my brief story with Mack and some of the legacy he left behind at Noah’s Ark.

Most of you know the story better than I do of how Mack and Marilyn came to Jamaica in their 60’s and began the ministry here that resulted in Riverside Baptist Church and Noah’s Ark Children’s Home. I only know the story as they told it to us the first time we met almost 3 years ago. If I get any of these facts wrong feel free to correct them on the NACH Facebook page. But as you know some 25 years ago the Locklears decided to move to Jamaica to begin a ministry there at an age when most people just decided to retire. They were first in Montego Bay for several years while looking for a place to plant a church. Finally they came upon the property in Martha Brae and began the process of planting a church. The property was at the bottom of the hill and at the end of what was described as a road, down by the Martha Brae river. In reality it was just a plot of land that was somewhat of a dump. They had to haul away trash and rocks for weeks just to clear the land. It was hard labor that both Mack and Marilyn, again … in their 60’s, took on without complaint. Eventually a church was built and Pastor Mack began to preach. The church was named Riverside Baptist Church and the chapel is named “Locklear Chapel.”

A mission house followed the church building and mission teams began to come to Jamaica to minister in this area about a mile and a half from Falmouth and the coast. My understanding is that Mack was always the one who had the vision of what God wanted them to do and then Ms. Mack (Marilyn) had to figure out how they were going to get it done (ha). In their mid-70’s Mack decided the Lord was calling them to build a children’s home. Marilyn reminded him of their age and what a huge undertaking that was but when God said to do it Mack was obedient … and so was Marilyn. The children’s home was finally completed in 2012 and was named Noah’s Ark Children’s Home. They started with 4 boys from the same family. The Pringles, Damien, Anthony, Dave/Damari, and Bobby/Danny. They are all still at NACH but obviously they have grown up. Damien turns 21 soon and actually works at the home. There are still just boys at the home and they all have been greatly impacted by “Pastor Mack” as they lovingly refer to him. Mack was always generous with the boys and anyone he met, sometimes to a fault. We asked the boys to write some brief memories of Pastor Mack and every single one of them talked about their love for him. Of course, being disadvantaged children they primarily remember all the things Mack did for them like taking them to KFC, or Burger King, or Tastees or do you sense a pattern here? Mostly it was about food. But he would bring them gifts when he came back to the states. They remember those and often remind us of his generosity. Many of them thought of him as a father to them and though they haven’t seen him in over two years they still miss him. One of the boys described him as “loving, caring, kind, smart, brave, intelligent and brilliant.” They later went on to say, “even when I’ve done wrong things he always encourage me to do the right thing and I will never forget how much he care for me and I love him so so much.” One of the other boys said, “Pastor Mack was a good man. He was so special in many ways. He was kind, loving helpful. He taught me so many things. He always support me in every thing.” I could go on but that is the kind of impact Mack had on everyone. People never forgot Mack. And I tend to think they won’t.

I can still remember when Jennifer and I first met Mack and Marilyn at Henry Baptist Church in McDonough, GA. We heard their story and I was struck by one word then and now when it comes to describing them … Obedience. They were obedient to whatever God called them to do, throughout their whole life. I can’t claim to know the Locklears like many of you do. We only had a handful of times together plus phone conversations and emails. Added to that was one week in the summer of 2019 when Bro. Mack came to Jamaica for what turned out to be his last time. Marilyn was sick and had to stay home but Mack came and we hosted Houschton Baptist Church in July of 2019. By that time we had agreed that God was calling us there and Mack was on that trip as much to help us as he was to help Houschton. Mack took us from place to place and I asked every question I could imagine and he was so kind and gracious and patient with us. I remember standing in line at the tax office to get our TRN number and he waited patiently outside for the hour or two it took. Same thing at the police station in MoBay and on and on. He took us around to everywhere he could think of and took us to lunch in MoBay and sent us with Merrimac and her family to Negril for a day off and he wouldn’t let us pay for anything. It was a great week just getting to know him a little and he couldn’t have been kinder and more helpful. He did his best to give us godly advice and even then warned me about trying to help everyone, saying that was a mistake he made. But that was Mack. He was generous to his core and in Jamaica, like anywhere, people sometimes take advantage of that. But above it all I still think of that word … obedience. He was obedient to the end and God was honored because of his sacrifice.

When I think about trying to take the place of Mack and Marilyn in Jamaica it has quickly become clear that is impossible. We can never take their place. There is only one Mack and only one Marilyn and they are extremely unique and wonderful people. There is no way Jennifer and I can become them or take their place. That has been tough. Bro. Mack casts a large shadow. Even after almost 2 years there the boys still compare us to Pastor Mack. “But Pastor Mack used to buy us KFC when he went home” and I always have to remind them I’m not Pastor Mack. And usually I add something like “I’m not rich like Pastor Mack,” haha, but you can imagine how much KFC for everyone costs so we have to do things differently sometimes. People still see the NACH van and sometimes mistake me for Pastor Mack. We run into people at the tax office or other businesses who ask about Pastor Mack on a regular basis. He is known and much-loved and impossible to exactly emulate. Jennifer and I share some similarities with Mack and Marilyn. We came to Jamaica at a similar age as they did after serving in the local church for decades and we truly believe God called us there. I can’t imagine God leaving us there for 20+ years which makes their journey even more amazing. But I say all the time I could never do what they did. To build this amazing ministry there from nothing is something that is beyond me. I struggle most days just to keep things running between the constant repairs and the boys who are now quickly becoming young men to the non-stop struggle with government demands, I quickly feel overwhelmed. I do often wonder what Mack would do. I know he would be obedient to his call and that is what we try to do as well.

We desperately want to continue the legacy that Bro. Mack left in Jamaica. But we need your help as well. Prayers are the biggest part as we deal with the government and their demands … and as we still struggle with the land situation. Finances and giving are always important and needed in any mission effort but especially during a pandemic and with no groups being able to come for almost 2 years … it has made things difficult. As soon as Covid restrictions lift we want ALL of you to come back and HELP!! Our goal is to expand the outreach of the ministry but we need HELP!! The Locklears will always be the heart and soul of what goes on at Noah’s Ark and Riverside Baptist. I pray we will do them proud as we follow God’s call. God bless you Pastor Mack. We truly miss you!! We are thankful that you are celebrating with the Lord even now and we are grateful for the legacy you left behind!! May we ALL seek to live in such a way as to leave behind a legacy of a life well-lived in service to the King!!