SCRIPTURE: New Testament: John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” Old Testament: Psalms 34:8 – “O taste and see the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.”

HIS BACKGROUND: Mont was born in Pine Lever on July 15, 1953 to Effie and William. After Mont, the couple had seven more children: James, John, Barbara, Willie, Leanna, Marilyn and Rennee. When Mont was 14, the family moved from the country to the city, relocating to Montgomery. Two years later, the Hubbards followed their grandmother to San Francisco in search of a better life.

If you thought moving from Pine Lever to Montgomery was a transition, imagine how Mont felt moving to the Bay Area.

“I was already accustomed to city life,” he said. “Montgomery was a small city, but (San Francisco) was a whole new deal. If I had the finances, I would’ve moved back to Montgomery.”

Mont finished up high school at John Adams High School then attended San Francisco City College. He worked part-time at the Texaco station while in college until he got a good gig as a janitor with Foggy’s Building Maintenance.

At age 25, another opportunity came about. This time it was important with Garrett Freightline Truck Company in Portland, and it doubled his hourly pay to $8.47. He was laid off two years later and returned to the Bay Area. He landed a job with the MUNI and has been working there ever since.

HIS FAMILY: Mont’s friend was dating a woman named Mary, who was 10 years older than Mont. She thought Mont was cute so she hooked him up with her sister.

“She said ‘Li’l man, I got somebody for you,’” Mont recalled.

Her name was Shirley, she had just moved to the Bay Area to live with her sister. He met her in 1972. They married started dating immediately and got married in 1977.

“I knew he was a good man,” Shirley said of her first impression of Mont. “I had just come out of a traumatic situation. At the time, I was not trusting men that much. The first thing he did that really impressed me was when we would walk on the streets, he wouldn’t let me walk (near the curb). I asked him what that was about. He said a man should always walk on the outside. Then I knew he was a good man. I knew he was someone I was safe with.”

The couple has five kids: Kel Piaget, Cherrlynn, RiĆhard (deceased), LaMont and LaCherie.

HIS CONVERSION: While working in Portland, Mont met Elijah Cockran, who would talk to Mont about Jesus.

“You know what the first question I asked him,” Mont said. “How much is it gone cost me?”

Mont didn’t take his first steps toward Christ until a woman who worked in the office, who used to write scriptures on his timecard, invited him to worship service. Of course, as God’s will would have it, Elijah attended the same congregation.

So Mont started attending the 35^th Avenue Church of Christ in Portland. Soon thereafter, Elijah and the minister came to Mont’s house and presented to him Christ’s offer of salvation. Mont accepted the invitation and was buried in baptism.

HIS WALK: When he returned to the Bay Area in 1980, Mont started worshipping at the Brookfield Church of Christ. He spent 17 years there, doing just about everything possible. He preached, taught Bible class, went door knocking, put on barbeques for the community. He went to San Jose Bible College for a spell in 1982 and served as youth minister. He even served as the bus driver, doing puppet shows for the youth and leading songs on the bus.

He used to listen to radio personality Barry Pope on KDIA. One day, Pope slipped and said a curse word. He followed by apologizing because he promised his minister he wouldn’t curse anymore. When Pope revealed he attended the South Berkeley Church of Christ, Mont went to check it out – and never left.

With South Berkeley (and eventually with the Church of Christ in Berkeley, and now with San Pablo Avenue Church of Christ), Mont continued his pattern of doing it all. He serves the congregation as an elder, he preaches, teaches classes, leads songs and visit the sick.