Baptist and Reflector
BRADFORD — Longevity is a concept First Baptist Church, Bradford, understands and appreciates.
The church’s pastor, Don Dyer, has faithfully served for 28 years. However, that pales in comparison to the length of ministry by Larry Patterson, minister of worship. At the age of 17, when Larry was a senior in high school, the music position at First Baptist became vacant and the pastor, Harry Garland, persuaded Larry to lead music.
No one, and certainly not Patterson, could have imagined what that meant for his future and the future of the church. On Sunday, Sept. 26, Patterson, retired after 62 years of ministry. Across those years, he served alongside eight pastors and five interims. [Read more…]