PAWNEE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

I grew up in church and learned all of the "religious lingo" that a good church kid should know, then joined the church when I was eight years old. It was not until nearly seven years later that God convinced me that I was guilty of sinning against Him and that Jesus loved me and had given His life in payment for my sins. It was at that time that I prayed for Jesus to take charge of my life. I had turned from my self-centered life and by faith had placed it in the hands of Jesus my Savior and Lord.

I married my lovely wife, Noella, in 1972 and still marvel at how good God is in making her my partner for life. God called me to minister His word in 1975, and after 4 years of seminary, I began my first pastorate in Union City, OK. Pawnee is our sixth church to serve, beginning in February, 2013. We love it here and are excited about what God wants to accomplish through Pawnee First Baptist.

God has blessed us with three children, Christy, Melissa, and Jay, plus six almost perfect grandchildren--Audrey, Annaliese, Eve, Elizabeth, Griffin, and Riley, and a great-granddaughter. Pictures are available upon request.

I believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and take very seriously my responsibility to teach it to God's people and to share its saving truth with those who are not yet His. My greatest joy comes when I see someone come to Christ, remain faithful to Him, and grow spiritually. We are born again according to His truth (1 Pet 1:23) and it is by that same truth that we grow (2 Tim 3:16). We hope you'll come celebrate the love and truth of God with us. May He richly bless you.

Growing up in church in Oklahoma, I knew that Jesus was a big deal. As a little kid I attended church regularly, but it was not until I was 16 years old when I put my faith in Christ. Since then I have never looked back. I was in the middle of a pursuit for a optometry degree in college when God's call came to serve in full-time ministry. I love serving my church and my students and cannot imagine what life would be like otherwise.

God's call on my life is to help students see the impact of the gospel on their lives and the lives of their family and friends. The gospel should be at the center of everything a Christian does. Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be handed to you."  I want students to have a faith that is based in evidence for the truth of the gospel. Truth is discovered, not created. God has revealed himself through the Scriptures and I love to help students uncover the truth.

I am married to my high school sweetheart, Melanie. We have 5 children: Deacon, Eva, Elise, Iris, and Gibson. Our house is never dull, and often messy, but it is full of love. God has been good to us. My hope is that it can be said that we love God and love others. 

Daniel Kendle joined the staff at Pawnee First Baptist Church as the Worship Leader in September, 2012.  He and his wife, Chelsea, are parents to Miles, Quinn, and Blythe.  Daniel is also a teacher and coach at Pawnee High School.  He and Chelsea are a blessing to our church family, and we are thankful that they are able to lead us using their gifts in music to honor God.  

I was born and raised in Ponca City, Oklahoma, then met my husband, Jim, in Stillwater in 1989, and we were married in 1992.  We are blessed with two children, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson.  I first came to Pawnee First Baptist Church as a “Mother of a Preschooler” in 1999.  Through the ministries of this church I came to understand the Truth, and through God’s leading, I came to know Jesus as my Savior. 

I began working as the secretary at Pawnee First Baptist Church in August, 2004.  I feel blessed to work here, and blessed to be involved in the ministries of this church.   I continue to grow as a Christian, and remind myself that  “He who has begun a good work in you (me) will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 1:6 

I look forward to helping you any way that I can.