By Billy Patterson
Members of Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfield recognized their pastor and deacons Sunday with a luncheon and ceremony in honor of their service to the local congregation.
Terry Skinner has been pastor of Calvary for 26 years and was recognized for his outstanding leadership and teaching of the gospel. He began his pastorate at Calvary on June 6, 1993 when he preached his first sermon. He was ordained as a Baptist minister at Calvary Baptist Church in Mineola, Texas in 1986.
The seventeen current serving deacons were also recognized for service and leadership at the local church. Their combined time served as deacons at Calvary totals 287 years. Glendale Black was ordained as a deacon at Calvary in 1972 and is the longest serving deacon at Calvary.
The remaining sixteen deacons honored Sunday were Mark Chavers, Larry Davis, Wesley Keeney, Dennis Lane, Don McLeod, Tommy Miller, Elton Moore, Cloise (Buddy) Mullen, Marvin Marvin, George Patterson, Daniel Phillips, Jerry Sheppard, Gary Stephenson, Joe Wren and Michael Wren.
During the morning worship service, Calvary’s Elton Moore presented the Deacon body love offering gifts to Terry and Randi Skinner. Charlotte Mullen, president of Calvary’s Women’s Missionary Auxiliary, presented the pastor and his wife with additional love offerings from the WMA.
During the luncheon, tables and gift bags were decorated by the WMA ladies and setup with gift bags for the pastor, his wife, and each deacon. Members of the congregation filled the bags with cards, candy, baked goods, gifts and letters.
