(JACKSON, Miss.) — On July 31, 2020, Dr. John “Mac” McCarty will retire from his position as the Circulation and Acquisitions Specialist at the RTS Jackson library. During his 24 years at RTS Jackson, Dr. McCarty’s faithful and humble service has blessed many students, faculty, and staff.
Dr. McCarty joined the RTS Jackson staff in 1996. His role at the library involved many essential responsibilities, such as handling acquisitions, managing the circulation desk, and coordinating and supervising many student workers. He also preached for many chapel services, and he spent several years as lead instructor for Continuing Education for Pastors at Mississippi Valley State University.
Prior to his work at RTS, Dr. McCarty served as an officer in the United States military for 21 years. In 1996, he received two degrees from RTS Jackson (MACE. and MDiv), and he completed his DMin in 2019. He also spent 32 years as an ordained minister in the Missionary Baptist Church. Since 2019, he has been an associate director of Belhaven University’s Rural Pastor’s Initiative.
Dr. McCarty’s Students
Many current and former RTS Jackson students have expressed their appreciation for Dr. McCarty’s years of service. David Jackson, who will be filling Dr. McCarty’s role in the library, noted how he “always took time to show love and care for students, faculty, and staff.”
Craig Jones, an alumnus and former student worker, remembers praying together with Dr. McCarty on numerous occasions. Jones remarked, “He never treated me like an employee, he treated me like family.” Other current and former library workers have emphasized Dr. McCarty’s wise and godly counsel and his emphasis on keeping their focus on Christ during their seminary studies.
Dr. McCarty’s Colleagues
President Emeritus Dr. Guy Richardson (1999-2020) remembers being struck by Dr. McCarty’s “military diligence” combined with his “gentle demeanor and consistently positive attitude.” He further said of Dr. McCarty, “While Mac will no longer be greeting us with his broad smile and unfailing helpfulness, his legacy of servant leadership will live on at RTS Jackson. I join a long line of those who have benefitted personally from being both his friend and coworker. We wish him all the best as he moves into his (second!) retirement.”
John Crabb has worked closely with Dr. McCarty and expressed his appreciation for their years of service together. “I have had the pleasure of working with John McCarty for almost 20 years. Throughout that time, we have shared the joy of serving the RTS Jackson community, students, staff, and faculty together.
“His work ethic, dependability, guidance, and support have been invaluable assets to me and to the multitude of library student workers he has mentored over the years. Mac has a pastoral spirit, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to serve and care for others. He has been a role model, a source of comfort and support, and, most importantly, a dear friend.
“He has served the RTS Jackson campus with unequaled devotion and commitment. His absence will certainly be felt by all of us who have been blessed to serve with him. Mac has glorified God in his ministry here at RTS, and will no doubt continue to do so in whatever lies ahead upon his retirement. ”