Bruce Haskins - January 21, 2016
The Rev. Bruce Franklin Haskins, 57, an Elder, died Jan. 21, 2016, after a long illness. A Celebration of Life service was held at Queens Chapel UMC Jan. 30, officiated by the Rev. Twanda Prioleau.
Bruce Franklin Haskins was born Nov. 20, 1959, in Baltimore, the youngest of three children born to the late Joseph Costello Haskins Sr. and Barbara Cole Haskins. He received his education at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (1977); the Community College of Baltimore (1980); and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion at Rutgers University (1982).
The foundations of the Christian faith were laid in his home and at St. Matthews UMC in Baltimore. Responding to the call to ordained ministry, he entered Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., for a Master of Divinity degree. He then enrolled in Howard University Divinity School and received a Doctor of Ministry degree in Church Administration in 1991. He became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Mu Lambda Chapter, and continued a lifelong affiliation with it. He was ordained an Elder in 1990.
Among his academic achievements are: Outstanding Young Men of America (1982), Maryland Bible Society Award for Excellence in Biblical Preaching (1987) and PEW Urban Ministries Fellowship (1988).
In the 11th grade, he met Deborah “Debby” Gladden and they married 10 years later in 1986 at Northwood-Appold UMC. They had three children.
His ministry included: Hereford Charge, with congregations of Gough, St. Luke, Pine Grove and Union Chapel, 1983-1987; Associate Pastor, Asbury UMC in Washington, D.C., 1987-1992, where he was awarded the Black Methodists for Church Renewal Award for Outstanding Pastoral Ministry at Asbury. He was appointed to Ryland-Epworth UMC, 1992-1994; Sharp Street Memorial UMC, 1994-2000; and Queen’s Chapel UMC, 2000-2007. He served as the Baltimore Region Guide from 2007 to 2011, then was appointed to John Wesley UMC in Baltimore, 2011-2015.
In the connectional ministry of the UMC, he was a member of the local, jurisdictional/national Black Methodists for Church Renewal; past president of the Baltimore-Washington Caucus; as a member of the conference Board of Ordained Ministry for three terms; .and was the regional trainer and conference Coordinator for Communities of Shalom. He taught and presented at Leadership Days, Young Adult and Youth retreats, seminars and camps, and in many other leadership and teaching positions. Haskins was a widely recognized anointed preacher, teacher and administrator with a passion for developing lay and clergy leadership. His deep desire for the people of God was that the Church be the Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his youngest son, Joseph, and his brother.
Survivors include his wife, Deborah Gladden Haskins; two children, Jason Vaughn Haskins and Joy Nichelle Haskins, both of Baltimore; a special daughter, Shawntelle Diggs and two grandchildren.
Condolences may be sent to Deborah Haskins, 4400 Wentworth Road, Baltimore, MD 21207.
His favorite song directed his personal walk with The Lord:
I made a vow to The Lord,
I made a vow to the Lord,
I promised Him I’d go
Every step of the way…