Spurgeon Johnson Mayfield

Spurgeon Mayfield was born 7th of 9 children into an extremely poor sharecropper family on April 18,  1924 in rural Mississippi and named by circuit-riding-preacher-grandfather John Wesley Mayfield who  suggested “Spurgeon” per the great Prince of Preachers Charles Hadden Spurgeon. 

At the age 2, Pete had Pneumonia and was declared dead by the county doctor/grocery store owner  but grandfather “shook him back to life.” 

This young, Uneducated boy never wore shores until he was 14 years old, except in the cold winters and had just one pair for years. Clothes were overalls, homemade shirt and straw hat.  Only went to school for the weeks he couldn’t work the cotton fields. 

All of the brothers adopted Nick Names because they didn’t like their formal birth names. And for  convenience sake “Pete” became Spurgeon Mayfield’s name and it stuck with him for his entire life. 

Pete stopped seasonal schooling in 6th grade to care for his folks, be surrogate parent for his 2  youngest brothers and became the primary laborer so his brothers could finish schooling. 

When Pete’s older brother returned home after Marine Corps bootcamp Pete was captivated by the  crisp clean outfit, shoes when it wasn’t even winter and a life’s calling that wasn’t slave to someone  else’s land. Against his father’s wishes, Pete took a bus to New Orleans, and a train to MCRD (Marine  Corps Recruit Depot) San Diego to enlist on Nov 2nd 1942. 

Pete’s keen hunting for food skills paid off greatly while in the US Marine Corps  

Deployed as expert marksman, he soon promoted to Staff Sergeant with the 4th Division to the Pacific  Campaign Islands of the Marshalls, Mariana and Palau, Saipan and Tinian. 

Having been a Navy Seabee for 7 years myself, this was quite a meaningful story Pete recounted: 

Quote: “I was a marksman assigned to ride alongside a Navy Seabee’s road grader driver cutting a new  landing strip; guarding him from snipers who were shooting many of those workers. I watched for a  spark of rifle fire from inside a huge chimney smokestack and got him. The grader’s kept working  safely. Not too different than squirrels in a tree.” End quote. 

Pete’s first war experience saw “only” 400 American lives lost, Pete said he’d never seen anything like  that…”The number of deaths that would surround me and stay in my memory is beyond numbering.”

Ladies and Gentlemen Pete was experiencing PTSD Before PTSD was even named. PTSD is now being  referred to, by many, as PTS, Post Traumatic Stress, and the belief behind that is that service members  that experience Post Traumatic Stress are Not Disordered.  

IWA JIMA (Feb 19 – March 17, 1945) 

Pete related, “Our military intelligence did not know about the many ways the Japanese were prepared  for an invasion. The Japanese anticipated an invasion, as the volcanic island could be a last vital  refueling stop for planes to reach Japan. Since the early 1930’s they designed a heavily armed, complex  system of tunnels and thousands of concrete bunkers from which they rained fire down upon us. There  were extremely high causalities. So many men died before even reaching the volcanic sand.” 

Pete continued, “When it was my platoon’s time to fight to the beach, I was third in line. A sniper hit  the first and then second Marine right next to me. I saw the spark way up on the hill, in a bunker. My  marksman skills took him out. We continued the cycle of trudging through the pounding surf while  returning fire to the entrenched enemies.” 

An amazing story accompanies this: in 2020 at the Iwa Jima Survivor’s Gala in Camp Pendleton after 75  years, Pete is sitting next to a Marine also about 100 yrs old and Pete asked him how long he was in the  battle, the marine replied, “about 10 seconds! My Co shot the sniper and saved my life” More details  were shared, and come to find out this Marine sitting next to Pete at this Gala WAS the 2nd Marine that  was shot and it was Pete that took the sniper out and saved his life! Wow! 

Pete Married Janet Haller (AUG 2, 1946) 

They met at the original Church of Christ Escondido, (2nd & Juniper) while Pete was awaiting his first  Pacific Campaign deployment at Camp Pendleton. Ms Janet was only 16…it’s a long wonderful Haller Paris Family story. 

They Quickly became close & corresponded throughout WWII. 

Pete worked with Janet’s father at a Cement Products plant in Escondido. 

Pete was and enjoyed truck driving for various commercial freight lines for nearly 30 yrs After a couple years in the Marine Corps Reserves Pete was re-activated to Active Duty and  DEPLOYED TO KOREA. (Sept 1950 – June 1951) 

In a bold move, following daring plans, United States General MacArthur sent 80,000 Marines into the  port of Incheon, on the western side of South Korea, south of the Capital, Seoul, to rescue the  defenders of Pusan and disrupt the supply lines flowing in from the North. 

Pete recalls: “We hauled the remnant of ROK (Republic of Korea) Army across the Han River and across  the open swamp area in order to support them and UN forces in reclaiming their Capital.

My tractor got hit in the tailgate, blew a hole in the rear and was quickly at risk of sinking by  overwhelming the bilge pump. We stuffed our jackets into the hole and were able to keep deploying  troops and ammo over the swamps and slues. Later the Colonel awarded us a Commendation for  superior work under battle; keeping the tractor going and accomplishing our mission. 

Pete also miraculously survived the famous Frozen Korean battlefield and became one the rare  survivors referred now to as the Frozen Chosen. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Of all the information David sent me in preparation for today (only 33  documents) one of most if not The Most powerful and impacting stories for me was this next one: 

At one point during the Korean War Pete was surrounded by the enemy, in north Korea, and there  was absolutely no way to escape. Pete thinking this is it, prayed a heart surrendering prayer to the  Lord. “Lord, if you deliver me out of this, I will serve you with my life.” 

My friends, if you haven’t guessed, God heard that prayer! Pete was miraculously delivered to safety  and God wasn’t done with him yet. 

PETE Served as a Volunteer Chaplain and participated in graduation ceremonies at the 1st Marine  Assault Amphibian School at camp Pendleton under the Sergeant Major. 

PETE was Honorably Discharged from USMC Reserves March 30, 1956. 

Many opportunities and invitations have been extended to visit Iwo Jima, Korea and other sites. Pete  declined, mostly per the level of active PTSD that still remained and because he was caring for his wife  with Paralytic Parkinson’s’ Disease. 

STATESIDE: FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, ESCONDIDO 

Pete was Active in the First Christian Church, Escondido. 

He Never thought he’d serve in any capacity higher than custodian, but became a Deacon, Sunday  School teacher, Elder, and Chairman of the Board. He Went out “evangelist calling” 6-nights/week  after working 2 jobs. His PTSD was severe & “doing God’s work” soothed his troubled memories. 

II. PETE THE PASTOR 

David Mayfield relays how Pete became a Pastor 

“3 families were meeting for Bible Study in Ramona homes and called the First Christian Church of  Escondido asking for help to grow their small group. No one on the Board volunteered so Pete (while  still working 2 trucking jobs) offered to help for 6 months.  

He Helped the 3 families grow into hundreds. He went door to door throughout the entire town. Met  in homes, then rented the “Grange Hall”, saved & purchased property + built 3 facilities debt free.  Grew the congregation to over 350 average attendance until retiring 27 years later to care for his  wife.“

David continues: 

“Pete Resided in Elite Manor Assisted Living home in Escondido (June/2021-Oct/2024). “Pastor Pete”  or “Father” as affectionately called by staff. He Served as greeter and enthusiastic promoter of the  facility and family owners; Pete always was ready to listen (if his hearing aids were working), He loved  to share stories—especially with anyone with military experience— He was an encourager and will be  greatly missed. His prayers were invaluable.” Amen brother. 

As Pastor Pete’s Hospice Chaplain, I went to visit and encourage him, but guess who left encouraged  and prayed for…. Many of you can relate. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Pastor Pete was a gift from God. God had a special work for him to do in this  life and even though Pharaoh tried to destroy Moses and Herod tried to destroy Jesus when they were  very young, death could not take them because it wasn’t there time- they still had an important work  to do. 

Similarly, Death was knocking on Pete’s door at an early age at the Ripe Old age of two! with a severe  case of pneumonia. What about the countless battles Pete endured by the grace of God through WWII,  Korea – Frostbite on his hands, feet and spine, and hundreds of times he “should’ve” been killed. 

Pete was Divinely protected and lead, Because God had a greater plan. Pete submitted willingly to the  will of God and allowed God to lead him. God had a plan to use Pete as a divine deliverer to liberate  people, lands, and even countries, but that’s not where it ends. 

The Providential hand of God was protecting and molding Pete through the many years of intense  battlefield experience, working hard with concrete piping and trucking jobs and countless years of  post-traumatic stress. Thank you David, family and friends for loving and supporting a true hero that  served BOTH God and Country! 

PETE THE GOSPEL PREACHER 

Pastor Pete’s favorite Bible verse was Romans 6.23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is  eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

This verse a part of the famous Romans Road Map to Heaven. How fitting and most appropriate to  share briefly the Gospel that Pastor Pete LOVED, Preached and lived. 

I. MAN HAS A PROBLEM 

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 

Number one man has a problem. Yes, ladies and gentlemen as good as we try to make ourselves look; at our very core we are sinners in need of a savior. The Ten Commandments were not given to us to  show us how to live, but to reveal, humbly how we are not living. Every one of us here have lied, every  one of us have cheated, stolen, blasphemed God (used God’s name in vain), committed adultery, (or  lusted).

But the law was not given to us to show us how to live. The law was given to us as a schoolmaster to  bring us to Christ. Man has a problem, we are sinners. 

II. THERE IS A PENALTY FOR SIN 

Romans 6:23 

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus  Christ our Lord. 

There is a penalty for that sin. And this is God’s law we’re referring to not man’s law. Romans 6:23 for  the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. The penalty  for sin is death and hell. We don’t hear a lot about that, but it is the truth. Pete stood on the truth,  and I stand on the truth. And we don’t glory in hellfire. But it is true, whether you like it or not. And  God does not want anyone to be there and he wants everyone to believe to be with Pete in heaven.  

III. THE PAYMENT FOR US WAS MADE 

Romans 6:23 

…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

So, the Payment was made for us. There’s a Problem, there’s a Penalty. And there’s a Payment, and it  was made for us. We could never make that payment ourselves we’re not good enough, none of us.  Romans 6.23b …but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

John 3:16 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that  whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

IV. THE PRAYER TO RECEIVE 

Lastly the Prayer, the Prayer to Receive. 

Romans 10:9 

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in  thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:13 (my life verse) 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

Friend if you have never put your complete trust in Jesus Christ as your Saviour What better day to  become a believer than the day we celebrate your friend and mine Gospel Preacher Pastor Pete. (were not referring to Religion – what you can do to merit heaven – The Gospel is about what God did  for you to get to heaven. That is called “Grace” friends. 

If God is tugging on your heart and you believe it is God’s will for you to become a true believer in  Christ, while you still have the chance, please close your eyes and pray something like this: (All the  Christians here are praying for you).

“Dear Jesus I know I’m a sinner, forgive me for all my sins, I not only believe in Jesus Christ, I’m  believing on Jesus, and I trust the finished sacrifice on the cross of Jesus to pay the penalty for my  sins. Thank you for dying on the cross for me, and Thank you for saving me. Amen” 

Friend if you prayed and just trusted Christ by faith, b/c what Christ did for you than the Bible would  call you a follower/ disciple of Christ. Congratulations! Today is Your spiritual Birthday. From Death to  Life! 

There is No greater way to honor and celebrate Pastor Pete’s life than believing in the True God that  He loved and preached.  

As we conclude today Ladies and Gentlemen, Pastor Pete is an Excellent Example of one to follow as  He followed Christ. From a Poverty-stricken slave in Mississippi to an Honorable Freedom Defender  and Exemplary Marine and Faithful loving Gospel Preacher and Pastor,…  

There Is No Amount Of Recognition On This Side Of Heaven That can Come Close To Honoring A Man  Justly As Mr. Spurgeon Mayfield Deserves. No amount of Purple Hearts Or Congressional Medals Of  Honor Could Do Justice To Honor The Impact This One Man Has Had, In His 100 Years Of Life,  Personally, Nationally, Internationally And Most Importantly Spiritually. 

There is no telling what God can do in and through the person who is fully surrendered to the Lord, no  background, no Lack of resources, or any other excuse matters when God is leading your life. 

Thank you Pastor Pete for being a great example to us of hard work, gratitude, servitude, leadership,  sacrifice, and faith …. And may WE continue Boldly to proclaim the Gospel to this world who so  Desperately need the Hope we possess as God’s Children. 

By the Grace of Almighty God, may We, Brethren, like Pastor Pete KNOW THE LORD, BE KNOWN OF  HIM, and MAKE HIM KNOWN. 

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