Sidney Webster

A Life Well Lived
Pastor Sidney Jackie Webster

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
Psalm 23:1

Pastor Sidney Jackie Webster, born in Orange, NJ on July 24, 1939 to the late Sidney and Sir Vatus Webster, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 19, 2021.  The fifth-born of seven children, Pastor Jack, as he was affectionately called, received his formal education within the Orange Public School system, graduating from Orange High School in 1957.  A member of Reid’s Temple Church of God in Christ (COGIC) until his 19th birthday, Pastor Jack attended Sunday School, sang in the junior and adult choirs, and was a member of the Young People’s Willing Workers.  Until the age of eight, Jack also sang in church Easter and Christmas programs with the “Golden Stars,” a family trio that featured his sister, Mary, and his late brother, James.

With a love for singing, Pastor Jack, along with his late brother, James, and close friends, the late Rev. Melvin Johnson Sr., and the late Rev. Herbert Gerrell, formed a singing group, the Templetones, at Reid’s Temple.  Then pastored by Rev. Burton, he encouraged the group by inviting them to travel with him on speaking engagements.  Soon they were called the Gospel Templetones.  The Gospel Templetones became quite popular in New Jersey and areas of Pennsylvania and performed at many area churches and major musical productions.  The Gospel Clefs, The Drinkard Singers and the Blind Boys of Alabama were some of the major gospel artists with whom the Templetones were able to perform.  Pastor Jack was not only a singer, but also a songwriter.

In the fall/winter of 1958, the Templetones were invited to bring a concert to Shiloh Pentecostal Church (SPC) in Somerville, NJ.  After their performance, Pastor Jack met the Harley family and they invited the group back to regular service.  It was at SPC that Pastor Jack fell in love with the word of God and with Pastor Harley’s daughter, Pat.  Pastor Jack was engaged to Pat in May of 1959 and they were married six months later, in November. 

In 1961, Pastor Jack was called into ministerial service and was instructed by God to aid Pastor Denvil Harley in whatever area he needed assistance. Until Pastor Harley’s death in 1968, Pastor Jack did just that. During Pastor Harley’s pastorate, Pastor Jack was appointed to be one of SPC’s first Deacons.  Pastor Denvil also introduced Pastor Jack to the truth of God’s Word.  Because of his teaching, Pastor Jack developed an insatiable desire to know the Bible well.  He decided to take Bible courses via mail, studied at Maranatha Bible School (South Carolina), Progressive Bible School (Modesto, CA) and earned five degrees, including Doctor of Divinity, Doctor of Religious Sciences and Doctor of Philosophy of Bible.  In 1969, Pastor Jack was called into the Word ministry and soon after preached his trial sermon. 

While at SPC, Pastor Jack did “whatever his hands found to do.”  He was a member of the Trustee Board and the Pastor’s Aide Ministry.  He sang and wrote music (some of which was recorded) for the SPC Adult Choir. He aided in the ministries that were started in Westchester, PA and Palmyra, NJ that continued under the leadership of the late Pastor Adeline Harley.  Eventually, Pastor Jack took over the leadership of the mission work in Westchester, PA and for 16 years was a dedicated vessel.  Every Sunday, Pastor Jack would travel to Westchester, PA to pastor the people of the area.  His commitment to the ministry in Westchester was unparalleled and Pastor Jack never expected anything in return but God’s continued love and grace.  After 16 years, he discontinued his service in Westchester due to needs at SPC.

In March of 1994, under the leadership of his wife and Pastor, SPC was reorganized, and the ministerial team worked together to establish the Christian Love Center.  Pastor Jack never wavered in his dedication to God, SPC and Pastor
Pat.  He stood proudly by Pastor Pat as her husband and as Associate Pastor.  Pastor Jack was a member in good standing of the SPC Music Ministry (Praise & Worship Team and Adult Choir), Superintendent of the Sunday School, leader of the Soul Winning Action Team (S.W.A.T.), advisor to the Pastor’s Aide Ministry and noted teacher of New Members Class and Sunday School. Said Pastor Jack, “God has blessed our marriage, our home, our children and our ministries.”
In October of 2011, Pastor Pat went from labor to reward and Pastor Jack stepped in to fulfill the role as Senior Pastor. He was installed on January 12, 2012 and served in this capacity until his passing. 
An anointed poet and songwriter, Pastor Jack is a great example of keeping God first and balancing family and career.  Pastor Jack started working at the tender age of 8, delivering newspapers 7 days a week until the age of 16. He rode his bicycle in all types of weather to homes all over East Orange and Orange.  He left home at the age of 18 to take a job at The Veterans Hospital. Throughout his life Pastor Jack has worked for over 30 companies, including being the first black PSE&G Meter Reader, Johnson & Johnson, City Federal Savings and Loan, as well as Fullerton Ford, Maplewood Ford and Bound Brook Ford.  He also worked at Rutgers, Princeton University and The University of Connecticut with the intent that one or all his children would be able to attend college for free.

Some of his favorite things were vacationing in Maui, watching sports and being with “Pat – his love and best friend.”
Once he became a great-grandfather his whole life changed. He enjoyed spending quality time with them, taking them to the park, Five Below and his favorite store, 7-11.  One of his desires when he came home on hospice was to once again be able to enjoy those various activities with them, before he passed.  His heart’s joy was seeing them happy.  His grandchildren (Ted, Mary, Michael, Kaori, Vanessa, and Ashley) came and took him, along with the great-grandchildren, to the park where he and they fed the animals and had a great time.  It was a beautiful experience and lasting memory for them all.

No one can deny that his life was completely surrendered to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Pastor Jack did not compromise in whom he served or in whom he believed.  His comedic preaching style and his no-nonsense approach endeared him to many.  He fulfilled his desire to retire and to be a full-time minister – providing education services to all those seeking a higher level of commitment to the Word of God and to be available to provide spiritual guidance to any person needing a loving and caring assist.

Pastor Jack had a heart for the youth. He said, “I want young people to know that with the resources available to your generation your future is anything you can imagine for yourself it can be accomplished with the proper education and guidance and with God in your life.”

Pastor Jack was predeceased in death by his wife, Pastor Pat of 52 years, and his daughter, Patti Webster, as well as his parents, Sidney and Sir Vatus Webster, and 5 siblings.

On October 19, 2021 surrounded by his children, and granddaughter Ashley, Pastor Jack was called from labor to reward, leaving to cherish his precious memories, four children: Michelle Green of North Brunswick, NJ; Scott (Laurie) Webster of Ewing, NJ; Lori (Al) McNeil of Somerville, NJ; Peter Webster of Lebanon, NJ; five grandchildren: Theodore (Mary) Green of Plainfield, NJ; Michael (Kaori) Green of Okinawa, Japan; Vanessa Green of Ewing, NJ; Ashley Webster of Somerville, NJ and Kelvin Davidson of North Brunswick, NJ; three great-granddaughters: Sydnee and Savannah Webster of Somerville, NJ; Carlie Green of Plainfield, NJ; three great-grandsons: Kaeleb, Judah and Legend Webster of Somerville, NJ; one sister Mary Edmonds of Plainfield, NJ, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and his precious “sons and daughters” who make up the body of believers at SPC-CLC.

Everyone who met Pastor Jack was the greater for it as he truly exemplified Jesus Christ.  His heart was filled with God’s love and today he rests in the arms of his precious Savior.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR THE THINGS HE HAS DONE!

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