Religion: Coal Mine to Pulpit

Last week a six-foot former coal miner whom Dr. Joseph Hakes, Baptist pastor of Huntington, W. Va., calls "a man sent from God," kept a solemn pledge. He was ordained a Baptist minister. His name: Park Tucker. His parish : Tabernacle Baptist Church, Chillicothe, Ohio.

Eleven years ago Miner Tucker, was caught in a cave-in. He lay under tons of rock with both legs, all his toes and his pelvis broken, his skull fractured, his left arm mangled. In conscious moments he heard rescuers working to save him. He also asked God to help him, vowed that if saved, he would...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!