On June 1, Kenneth Epperson assumed the pastorate of the Fort Scott First Southern Baptist Church.
Epperson has over 20 years of experience, following his education at Slidell Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisiana.
“That includes camps, evangelism work, and a singing ministry,” he said. “This is the closest I have been to my hometown, Butler, MO.’
The best part of pastoring is getting to encourage and give people hope, he said.
“Everybody needs encouragement,” he said. “We work hard at that. That’s my joy. God loves them and they will make it.”
When asked what one of the biggest challenges for a pastor is, he responded “Bringing people together. Bringing a people into unity and moving them forward in the kingdom.”
Epperson and his wife, Tracy, have two married sons, two grandsons, with “one on the way,” he said.
Epperson said God called him at 14 years old to be a pastor.
“We had a guest speaker at our church,” he said. “I remember where I was sitting, when I heard the Lord say ‘You are going to do that someday.'”
“When I was ordained, my Mom told me when she was rocking me when I was young, she felt that I was going to be a pastor one day,” Epperson said. “That was powerful to me.”
The church, located at 1818 S. Main has Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and worship at 10:50 a.m.
An upcoming event at the church is Vacation Bible School, which is August 4-8 from 9 a.m.to noon at the church.
For more information contact the church at 620.223.2986.