Here are some examples of how Bro. Schaap’s ministry has continued to put down the work Bro. Hyles built. (Here is the link to the “Voice” newspaper where you can see them for yourself.) The Voice

The March 2008 issue of “The Voice,” had this chart and said FBC was running 5,500 in 2000 (the last year Bro. Hyles was pastor).

At Pastor’s School 2009, Jack Schaap said Dr. Hyles averaged 5,000 in Sunday school the last year he pastored. It was amazing how the average attendance of Bro. Hyles had gone down 500 since they reported in March 2008 that Bro. Hyles had averaged 5,500 the last year.

By the Sept.-Oct. issue of “The Voice,” on page 3, to build up Jack Schaap as a greater than Jack Hyles, the ministry of Bro. Hyles had gone down to 4,500.

“In 1965 the framework of what would become Hyles Publications was assembled. For the past 44 years the publications arm of the First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana, has produced scores of books as well as hundreds of audio and video materials. Founded by Dr. Jack Hyles and further developed by Dr. Jack Schaap, our current pastor, this ministry has encouraged, challenged, and instructed countless Christians.

In 2001 Dr. Jack Schaap became the 15th pastor in our church’s history and began to not only carry on the legacy of his predecessor and father-in-law, Dr. Jack Hyles, but he also has led this ministry to exceptional growth. The attendance has grown from 4,500 in 2001 to 15,000 in 2009, and new goals are set for a record year in 2011. He is the chancellor of Hyles-Anderson College and the superintendent of five private schools. Dr. Schaap can be described as a man who has a passion for excellence in work and pursuing God.”

By their own graph in the March 2008 paper, they had the church averaging over 6,000 in 2001. Even if the number of 5,500 is true, how could it keep going down? Many people don’t believe that Bro. Hyles’ ministry had gone down to anything around 5,000 his last year. With the A, B, C, D, E and F ministries they only had between 4,500-5,500? With all the busses, the Spanish, the Jail, the nursing homes, the college, and the drive-in there were only 4,500-5,500? That seems hard to believe. Even if some of their numbers were true, why would FBC want to put down Bro. Hyles or his ministry? Humanly speaking, Jack Schaap owes his ministry to Dr. Hyles. (married his daughter, hired him at the college, built the church and ministries he pastored, left millions in the bank for the new pastor to build upon, built the entire staff, etc.) Anything Jack Schaap accomplishes there could not be done without Dr. Hyles.

It is sad to see a man so insecure in himself that he has to tear down the ministry of his predecessor in order to make himself seem great.