Sixty Years of Ministry
By Allen Morton, Pastor • Chenal Valley, Little Rock
On Sunday, Sept. 22, Chenal Valley Baptist Church will have the distinct privilege of celebrating the remarkable 60-year ministry of our beloved Pastor Emeritus Tom Mitchell. This special occasion is not only a moment to honor a life dedicated to the service of Christ but also an invitation to all his friends to join us in recognizing this amazing milestone in his ministry.
Born in Ashdown, Tom’s journey in the faith began in June 1954, when he accepted Christ as his Savior. Just a decade later, on Sept. 28, 1964, he surrendered to the call of ministry. He was ordained by Central Baptist Church in Ashdown on Oct. 10, 1965, marking the beginning of a lifelong mission to preach the gospel and shepherd God’s people.
Tom has pastored several churches, each time leaving a lasting legacy of faithfulness and dedication. His early pastoral work began at First Baptist Church of Wallace, where he served from August 1965 to June 1967. He married Karen Mitchell, a faithful partner throughout his ministry, in 1968. After serving his country in Korea, God led him to Brister Baptist Church in Emerson (March 1972-October 1973), followed by a blessed time at Sky Lake Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn. (December 1973-September 1977).
His longest pastorate was a 21-year tenure at Central Baptist Church in Prescott (September 1977-March 1998). Central, Prescott became his home, and God blessed the church under his leadership and vision. In March 1998, he took on the pastoral role at Chenal Valley Baptist Church, where he served until August 2016. During these years, Tom not only shepherded the church, but also became a mentor and friend to many, including me.
Tom’s commitment to the Baptist Missionary Association (BMA) extends beyond the local church. He has served as the president of the BMA of Arkansas and, more recently, as the board chairman of the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary (BMATS). In recognition of his distinguished service, BMATS awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity, a testament to his unwavering dedication to Christian education and our seminary.
Tom’s ministry has also taken him beyond our borders to multiple continents and mission fields, where he has planted, built and supported mission work. His faithfulness in preaching the gospel on mission has touched countless lives.
On a personal note, Tom has been more than just my predecessor at Chenal Valley. He has been a friend, mentor and brother in Christ. His example of steadfast faith, unwavering commitment and deep love for God’s people has profoundly shaped my ministry.
As we approach this significant milestone, we invite you to join us for a special service on Sunday, Sept. 22, at Chenal Valley Baptist Church. The celebration will begin with a brunch at 9 a.m., followed by a worship service at 10:30 a.m., where Pastor Emeritus Tom Mitchell will preach. We look forward to gathering with many of you to honor Tom and his wife, Karen, and thank God for a life lived in faithful service to the kingdom.
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