This week on our pastor appreciation post, all four of our contributors are pitching in to honor those who have pastored us well! Enjoy!
Ben | Dr. Billy D. Crow
Growing up in a ministry household is a different type of life. Many folks have described it as living in a “glass house” or a “fish bowl.” Essentially, it is a lifestyle that everyone around you sees, and can sometimes be very lonely and energy-taking. However, there are times when others are quick to minister to you, as well. Enter Dr. Billy Crow.
During my school years, my parents made the sacrifice to send me to a private, Christian school. In 2002, after moving to Arkansas from Tennessee, I was enrolled at Conway Christian School for my fifth grade year. Fast forward to 8th grade Arkansas history, we had a new teacher named Mr. Crow. If I’m being completely honest, I’m not sure what a pastor from Clinton, Arkansas, was doing teaching Arkansas history – but here we all were. I remember specifically, if you said something that was, let’s say, “note-worthy,” it was written on his whiteboard for everyone to see. And I don’t mean smart, I mean things like, “Hey, wasn’t George Washington the person who discovered America?” noteworthy.
However, as I moved forward into high school, Dr. Crow seemed to keep up with the graduating class I was in. Freshman year until senior year, minus a year or so, I believe, he was my Bible teacher.
Now, my dad was a huge influence on my theological and spiritual upbringing, but if there was a close second influential person in my life, it would be him. It was Billy Crow who taught me to love theology. He taught me how to systematically find God’s truth in Scripture. He taught me how theology applies to everyday life. I caught so much from his teaching. Not only was Dr. Crow a teacher, but he was always a faithful pastor. He lived what he taught. He was not only a faithful teacher, but also a faithful pastor while he was teaching at CCS. To this day, there was more to his teaching than just knowledge about Scripture and truth, he lived it.
The man behind the lectern was living a life of faithfulness to the Lord that has since affected hundreds of students. To this day, he pastors Immanuel Baptist Church in Greenbrier, Arkansas, and still faithfully serves as the director of worldview at CCS.
We need more men like Billy Crow, who live their lives investing in younger generations to faithfully serve Christ, His Church, and His world.
Dustin | Reverend Eric Brown
When I began thinking about who I would feature in this pastor appreciation piece, I realized there are many pastors I need to personally thank for their influence on my life because it would require far too many blog posts here. That said, I want to dedicate this post to Reverend Eric Brown with whom I served as an intern after I completed my undergraduate studies at Welch College. Eric Brown currently serves as pastor at Heads Free Will Baptist Church in Tennessee.
I met pastor Eric while on a college quartet trip the summer before I was to pursue a ministry internship for college graduation. We connected over his deep love for the Bible, Free Will Baptists, and history. We stayed in touch even after the quartet trip was over and he eventually reached out and invited me to serve as his intern at Pine Level Free Will Baptist Church in Alma Georgia.
During my internship during the summer of 2015, Pastor Eric provided me with ample reading, preaching, and hands-on ministry experience. He taught me much about preaching and pastoral ministry, especially about the daily ins and outs a pastor is responsible for. It was with Eric Brown that I visited homebound saints, the sick, and the lost. Eric Brown showed me the dedication and commitment that is required for pastoral ministry. He also demonstrated Gospel faithfulness toward the grieving and the funeral service we held together.
Not only did I serve with Pastor Eric Brown as an intern, I lived in his home for the full ten weeks of my internship. I saw his life and love for his family. I saw his character and devotion to the Lord above all. I even observed his process to unwind after an incredibly difficult or challenging ministry event.
Through Eric Brown, I learned how to apply the theoretical I learned in the classroom. I recognized the importance of a genuine call from God to pastoral ministry and the value planting deep roots in a community has on Gospel influence. I will forever cherish Eric Brown and our time in ministry together.
Brother Eric, thank you for always encouraging me to stay the course. I do not want to let you down as I continue to follow God’s call for my life. Though I am not currently in a senior pastor role, I use much of what you taught me in my weekly roles as connection pastor at Formation Church. Thanks for not giving up on me and pushing me toward greater godliness and obedience to God’s call on my life. Stay faithful, brother!
Matt | Reverend Jack Ketteman
I’m unsure where exactly to start in terms of explaining the influence that Jack has had on my life. He has known me my entire life, poured into my life for almost the entire time I was in the youth group at Cross Timbers FWB Church, and has remained a dear friend and encourager over the years, despite the miles between us.
As my youth pastor, there is a seemingly endless list of things that I learned from Jack, both about pastoral ministry as well as life, despite the fact that I did not realize it at the time. While there is only so much our readers can read, I’ll attempt to touch on a few of the values and lessons I learned from Jack.
To begin with a non-ministry item, though it does extend to ministry in some ways, I was privileged enough to see how to love your spouse and family well. Jack loves his family in an excellent way. Ashley, his wife, was a significant asset to his ministry to students and he equipped her at every step to multiply his efforts. I saw and continue to see their marriage and family and see such a beautiful example of how God intended a Christian family to be.
I saw the value of exposing students to God’s word early and often. There wasn’t a single Wednesday night where the scriptures weren’t explained. I don’t remember every lesson but I am confident that there was an effect on my life because of the emphasis Jack placed on the bible.
I observed the value of surrounding yourself and your ministry with people who strengthened your service to the people of the church. Jack was fantastic at bringing people alongside who also cared about students and families. This included people like David and Bethany Lytle, Bruce and Barb Bilbrey, Seth and Eleni Reid, and so many others who were invited in to serve alongside Jack and Ashley.
I learned the advantages of sitting under mentors and leaning heavily on them for years to come. In more recent years, there have been so many moments where Jack has mentioned things that he learned from Paul Harrison and Steve Phillips. Those were relationships that extended beyond just the time where he served with them or learned under them. It is a strong example and I’ve tried my best to apply it to my life as well.
I witnessed the deep impact of hospitality from Jack and Ashley. There are two examples here that will help to highlight what the Kettemans opening their home means to me. Every Friday, Jack and Ashley hosted Open House Friday. It was their way to not only ensure that there was something beneficial for the teenagers to be doing as well as build a bond. While there were times where we planned to play music together, make a movie (I hope those aren’t still floating around somewhere), or play video games, often we had no agenda. Their door was open and they frequently had to kick us out because it was bedtime.
The second example of hospitality that I experienced came in 2015 during my Spring Break at Welch College. I was going through some difficulties and just needed some time to step away and have a change of scenery. I called Jack and asked if I could come and stay a few days with them and their family in Bristol, VA. They didn’t hesitate and let me sleep on the couch.
There is so much more that I could say about what I’ve learned from this brother. Whether it be his love of music, our shared enjoyment of Vanderbilt sports, his attendance at my track meets, or laughing over Jim’s Nachos, his imprint will forever be on my life. Suffice it to say that I deeply appreciate Jack Ketteman. He means so much to me and I’ll forever be grateful for him!
Mike | Reverend Jeff Caudill
I want to pay tribute to Rev. Jeff Caudill, Executive Pastor at Cofer’s Chapel FWB Church in Nashville, TN. I met Pastor Jeff in the Spring of 2014 as a sophomore at Welch College. I started attending Cofer’s Chapel, where Pastor Jeff still serves, because Rev. Mike Gladson (my first pastor) was ministering there at the time and because I was interested in a certain girl who attended there. (Do not worry. That certain girl is now my wife.)
During a pastoral transition at Cofer’s Chapel, Pastor Jeff asked if I would consider doing my pastoral internship with him during the school year. I agreed and the rest is history. Pastor Jeff and I bonded quickly. He loved coffee and so did I. He loved baseball and so did I. He loved to study God’s Word and so did I. He loved the local church and so did I. We even celebrate May birthdays together!
Our friendship blossomed in that first year of my internship at Cofer’s and in the early years of my exposure to ministry as a member of the pastoral staff from 2014-2020. He allowed a young, naive, know-it-all college student to learn the ropes of ministry firsthand. He was incredibly gracious in his support, charitable in delegating teaching and ministry responsibilities, and constructive with his feedback. I learned so much from my time with Pastor Jeff, both as an intern and a pastoral staff member. He set me up for real ministry success, teaching me the importance of godliness before giftedness!
Pastor Jeff is more than a ministry mentor; he is a dear friend and personal confidant for me. He was honest with me about the highs and lows of ministry, and continues to guide my own thoughts on the challenges of ministry today. He did not sugar-coat anything then and he does not do so now. He’s one of the most forthright and dependable men in my life. I trust him and know he has my best interest at heart. Even amid seasons of hardship and change, I witnessed how Pastor Jeff modeled Christlikeness in the way he organized his ministry schedule, prioritized his study time for sermons and midweek lessons, ministered to the needs of the saints throughout the week, and always sought to be an encouragement to others. Even something as simple as his consistent emails with this simple message – “I prayed for you this morning” – shows the kind of pastor he is. No one can question his commitment to Christ and His people.
Most of all, Pastor Jeff is a man of integrity. His private life and public ministry reveal the same man – a man who loves Christ, loves his family, loves his ministry, and takes time to be holy for the sake of all three. I especially appreciate Pastor Jeff’s tender heart and the way in which he stands in awe of God in worship. He takes the ministry of worship and the ministry of the Word seriously. We need more ministers like him. There is nothing superficial or artificial about him. He is the real deal, and I am so fortunate that God allowed me to serve alongside him and remain a “son in the faith” to him even after my departure from Cofer’s Chapel to serve in my current ministry.
There is not enough space, nor are there adequate words, to describe the impact Pastor Jeff has had and continues to have in my life and ministry. I am grateful for his character and his skills as a leader. I am also grateful for how he models unwavering commitment and priority to his wife, Calisse. Pastor Jeff sets the right example for younger ministers. His love for Christ, Scripture, his family, and friends is an inspiration to me and so many others who call him friend.
Here’s to you, Brofessor! (inside joke) Drink a cup of coffee for me today! I thank God for you and your ministry.
