“Shelly Clutter, our youth leader, has done a dynamic job in building and leading our students,” he said. “Kyle Compton is a young man who is currently active duty in the Army but has surrendered to the ministry. He’ll be coming on board as an intern with the intention to make him an associate pastor. Ginger Stucky has been here a long time and done an incredible job of incorporating a blended worship program. Our secretary, Stacy Spillers, is amazing and keeps day-to-day church operations running seamlessly.
“Our deacons are Scottie Benjamin, Jerry Blair, Dale Albritton, Travis Bolton, Herschel Boswell, Tommy Jackson, Sammy Edwards, Brannon Edwards, Joe Pope and Roger Williams. These 10 men are amazing. Most are retired and are serving our widows and needy families by cutting grass, bringing meals and doing visitation in the community. Every church should have men like these.”
The church’s Vacation Bible School last month saw more than 100 children and volunteers. A competition between the boys and girls resulted in more than $2,100 going toward the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.
Perry Hancock, children’s home president and CEO, told Baptist Press that would be one of the largest gifts through a VBS in the state.
“What’s so special about those offerings is that it’s children giving to children,” Hancock said. The donation is even more special to him because he served as pastor to Simpson Baptist in the late 1980s.
“The growth at Simpson the last year or so has come through a lot of hard work by the staff and its people,” he said. “Pete’s done an incredible job.”
The church recently opened up a new $1 million facility with a 300-seat sanctuary, education wing and office space. Further construction will include a family life center. With a membership of just under 300, the church raised three-quarters of the amount to build it.
“It’s been a phenomenal example of giving. There is a sense of God doing something amazing in this community, and people want to be a part of it.”
A native Floridian, Keough again pointed back to the importance of becoming a part of the community.
“Embrace it,” he said. “I’ve learned to say ‘Geaux Tigers’ and eat crawfish. Always preach the Word faithfully and trust God. Be in the community and they will open up to you.”
This article originally appeared on BaptistPress.com.
