James Evans remembered for his leadership, advocacy
The Reverend Dr. James H. Evans Jr., who was the first African-American president of the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, died last month. He was 72.
Dr. Evans served as the divinity school's president for 10 years, between 1990 and 2000. He joined the divinity school's faculty in 1979 as an instructor of theology and Black church studies and remained with the school for three decades. Dr. Evans, a Greece resident, died on Aug. 25.
During his time as the school's leader, he oversaw the expansion of curriculum and establishment of the Program for the Study of Women and Gender in Church and Society, the Institute for Ethical Leadership and the Center for Baptist Studies. The school also increased endowment and available scholarships for students.
Rev. Angela D. Sims, the current president of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, described Dr. Evans as "a leading theologian and respected clergyman" who made significant contributions to the school and the Rochester community.
"I give thanks for a life well lived in service to God, family and humanity,” Sims said, adding that while Dr. Evans was president emeritus, he continued to teach courses at the school. In the last two decades, he also led lectures and took part in other special events at the school.
In reference to his legacy, Sims said, "I am hopeful that Dr. Evans’s example of mentoring, of guiding will be replicated by the persons in whom he invested time, energy and resources over the years.”
Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in 2019 moved to Village Gate after more than 90 years at a picturesque 22.4-acre campus at South Goodman Street and Highland Avenue. Three years, earlier, school officials announced plans to sell its home since 1928 as the school faced declining enrollment and the expense of upkeep of an historic property. A charter school will open at the site this fall.
Dr. Evans and his wife, the Rev. Dr. Linda Hickmon Evans, are the founding pastors of the St. Luke Tabernacle Community Church in Rochester, established in 2000, and St. Luke Tabernacle Community Church of Detroit, Michigan, created in 2006.
"He was an advocate for social justice and it permeated his being," Hickmon Evans said. "He absolutely loved and did not judge. He allowed everyone the flexibility to be who they were, and also encouraged them to be their better selves."
Hickmon Evans said that her husband, who she described as a humble, thoughtful and loving man, did not hold onto negativity.
"When something ended, no matter how heated, it was over," Hickmon Evans said. "He did not let external behavior influence his internal being."
She recalled when they first met, at a professional conference in San Francisco in 1997. Dr. Evans approached Hickmon Evans as she leaned against the wall listening to a speaker at the back of a busy conference hall. The pair married less than a year later and celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary in August.
A native of Detroit, Michigan, and the son of a Baptist minister, Dr. Evans graduated from the University of Michigan. He later received a master of divinity from Yale University Divinity School and his doctorate from the Union Theological Seminary in New York City.
In 2016, Dr. Evans was consecrated as a Bishop in The Kingdom Council of Interdependent Christian Churches and Ministries. His service to church and numerous local and national nonprofits and boards includes a four-year term as president of the American Baptist Association of Seminary Administrators and president of the Rochester Area College Presidents.
A published author, Dr. Evans penned numerous articles and five books on theology, and a three-act play Swamp Angel.
Dr. Evans is survived by his wife Linda, who is a pastor at St. Luke Tabernacle Community Church, three children and four grandchildren.
"He was a good father, a good grandfather and a good husband," Hickmon Evans said.
Dr. Evans loved spending time with his grandchildren, traveling and playing music. He played the saxophone, keyboard and flute, often performing with bands at church.
His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at Aenon Missionary Baptist Church, 175 Genesee St. A wake, also at the church, will run from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: James Evans, theologian and clergyman, remembered for his leadership
