|
|||||||||||||
Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Herndon pastor retires after 18 years
This Sunday, Dr. Raymond Spears, 62, will give his last sermon as pastor of First Baptist Church of Herndon.Spears, only the second full-time pastor in the church's 109-year history, leaves an enduring legacy of 18 years.
“Through the years, Ray's vast knowledge of the Bible and its history, his abilities as a teacher, and his open-arms policies for all people are something for which the members of First Baptist Church Herndon are grateful and blessed,” said Todd Weiss, chairman of the church's deacon board.
Spears came to Herndon from Louisiana in February 1990. “Having lived most of my life in Mississippi and Louisiana, I wanted to find out what the rest of the world looked like,” Spears said. “First Baptist Church of Herndon seemed to think I was a good person for the challenges and the needs of this congregation.”
According to Weiss, Spears was instrumental in the establishment of a Hispanic congregation at the church.
“There was already a group here when I arrived,” Spears said. “I worked along with their leaders and our leaders and they eventually became an autonomous Baptist congregation with their own budget and pastor.”
Other diverse groups, such as an Ethiopian Bible study group, also regularly use the church. “Dr. Spears played a crucial role in negotiating the issues that sometimes arise when groups share the same facility,” Weiss said.
Also during Spears' tenure, what originally began as a 'mother's day out' program for stay-at-home moms became a full-fledged preschool that now serves the entire community. His wife Jerry also taught in the church's Sunday School for 15 years.
“I have realized a profound appreciation for the way that God works with all kinds of people,” Spears said of his time in Herndon. “Whoever you are, whatever color or race or ethnicity, how good or how bad you've been, things get done.”
After retiring, Spears and his wife plan to spend time with relatives in North Carolina, but said they will return and maintain a relationship with the church.
First Baptist Church of Herndon is planning a luncheon this Sunday at 11:30 a.m. to celebrate Spears' service. All present and past members are welcome to attend.
You must be logged in to post a comment.